Problems and challenges are inevitable! And life without problems and challenges are quite boring. A good problem or challenge helps me to get better, improve and develop. This is true for businesses and not to forget for your private life. 
And that brings me to businesses who are solving others´s problems. Solving others problems is what you can passionate about and it´s how businesses are making money.

But when we’re the ones stuck with a problem, we tend to forget the bright side of problems. We may see others’ problems as opportunities, but we often fail to recognize our own problems as opportunities. Consequently, we seek to extract ourselves from problems as quickly and painlessly as possible. And as a result, we often miss out on huge opportunities.

Unfortunately, we often dread problems. We avoid them like the plague. We put safeguards in place to minimize their likelihood and impact. You may not be a religious person, but when problems arise, you pray!

The way we view problems has a profound impact on us. When we see problems as negative, unwanted interruptions:

• We approach the world as though it were perfect and see problems as evil anomalies.But guess what? The world isn’t perfect! Problems are routine and plentiful. The anomaly is getting through a day without having to address a problem.
• We dread problems.They suck our energy. We feel victimized. We may go into a negative downward spiral emotionally and even get depressed. This stifles creativity and movement.
• We seek to extract ourselves from the problem as quickly as possible.Our reaction is emotional, knee-jerk, and without thought for what this problem might teach us or the opportunity it might provide. By speedily removing the problem we miss out on any hidden benefit we might have gained.

View Problems as Opportunities

Viewing our problems as opportunities doesn’t come naturally. It requires discipline, practice, and frequent reminders. Here are some benefits and by-products of seeing a problem as an opportunity. Every problem provides an opportunity to:

1. Tackle and conquer a new challenge
   This is precisely how technology progresses. So many conveniences that we take for granted today were once opportunities disguised as problems. Problems such as: how to transmit phone calls wirelessly; how to turn the power of a river into electricity; how to miniaturize computers; etc. These were all once problems that someone saw as opportunities and capitalized on them. And today, we enjoy the benefits these problems turned opportunities.
2. Grow and learn new things
   Without problems and challenges, I fear that we would stagnate. We are naturally curious beings. When something fails or doesn’t function properly, we want to know why. But if we merely seek to extract ourselves from every problem, we lose. But if we see a problem for what it is—an opportunity—then we seek to fix it and usually that requires learning something new. Every time we tackle a problem, we gain new knowledge. Our horizon is expanded. Problems make us better individuals.
3. Meet new people and establish new relationships
   Problems seen as opportunities bring people together. The problem we’re facing may have us stymied, but there’s someone out there who has a solution. Or, we team up with others and the synergy of our combined skills and experience can accomplish what we could not have done alone. The prospect of meeting new people and mutually benefiting from each other renders any problem worthwhile.
4. Maintain a positive attitude
   It’s easy to be positive when all is going well. But frankly, no one is impressed by that. Being happy when all is going well doesn’t inspire anyone. Instead, it’s the ability to be joyful in the middle of problems and challenges that makes a person’s integrity shine. And that kind of joy in the midst of troubles is what inspires and encourages others and us. Turning problems into opportunities helps us maintain a positive and joyful attitude.
5. Develop and launch a new product or service
   Every problem, viewed as an opportunity, is the entrepreneur’s dream! For, in all likelihood, you’re not the only one experiencing this problem. Just think, you could be the one to solve it—not merely for yourself, but for countless others. And isn’t that what keeps us going—the thrill of solving someone else’s problem? 

Seeing problems as opportunities is what’s so fun, exciting, challenging and rewarding for the entrepreneur. We love to help others! And if you’re blessed with the challenge of tackling a really difficult problem, remember that every failure gets you one step closer to a solution. The bigger the problem, the greater the opportunity for reward!

Read in my upcoming Blog how I can help you in your personal and business life.

Leave me a comment what the problems and challenges you are facing and how you have used them to your advantage.