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Frank's question:
"I can't find a good solution to my problem at work. There
doesn't seem to be any good alternatives and all the alternative I
have are not attractive. What should I do?"
Dear Frank,
You are frustrated, because you cannot find a solution to a tough
problem, and it is important that you find a way to solve it.
When you are stuck and can't find a solution to your problem, you
have two basic choices. First, you can search for new
alternatives. For every problem, there is a
solution. Given that you are stuck with unacceptable solutions,
I recommend the other choice. Second, you can
re-examine your problem and define what values drive you to solve
it. What are you trying to achieve that is blocked by the
problem you are now facing. This option is similar to
drawing the circle wider or moving up the mountain to see the bigger
picture. Every means is simply a way to get to a higher-order
end. Each end is another means to getting to an even
higher-level end. The meads-ends hierarchy is never ending
chain. We seldom bother to trace the means and ends very
far and treat each means as if it were an ends in itself. By
looking at the bigger picture - the ends you seek - you may be able to
bypass the means you are currently stuck in - the one with the
unsolvable problem. By checking your values or
higher-order ends, you may find that there are many other better means
for getting the ends you seek. These means are more doable
and within your reach with fewer problems attached to
them.
