Do you like to solve problems?
Do you get involved in solving problems whether they are your own or those of others?
Tackling every problem that comes your way can actually make you less productive.
You may need to ask yourself if solving problems is getting work done, or simply creating more work for you.
Solving Problems Doesn’t Equal Productive
I recently worked with an individual who was known at their company for being a problem solver.
They could always be counted on to jump into any situation to help solve the latest problem. In this regard, they were highly sought out whenever a crisis hit.
Ironically, this same individual was also known for not completing their own duties and for regularly being late on deliverables.
The Problem Isn’t the Problem
Jumping to solve every problem isn’t productive.
In fact, it can actually be procrastination disguised as productivity.
“Sometimes the problem doesn’t need to be solved. Sometimes the problem is actually the interruption.”
Some individuals spend the majority of their time solving problems instead of getting done what they need to do. They jump at every problem instead of concentrating on their work.
Companies can be just as guilty, spending millions of dollars solving issues that weren’t problems or even important.
Sound familiar?
Here are 5 Reasons Why Solving Every Problem Can Be Anti-Productive:
- The Problem Isn’t a Problem – Solving problems looks productive, and it feels good. The problem lies in the fact that many problems are not problems. They are merely molehills. Measure your response accordingly.
- Problems Take You Off Task – Don’t use problems as an excuse to procrastinate. Problems are great distractions to take your off task and keep you from finishing your work.
- Doing Other People’s Work – If you want to solve everyone else’s problems, they will be more than willing to let you do so. Unfortunately, you can’t do everyone else’s job and still get your own done.
- Solving Problems That Don’t Need to Be Solved – Some problems aren’t worth the time or effort to solve. Either they are not really a problem (See #1) or they will resolve themselves in time.
- Solving Problems That Have Already Been Solved – Don’t spend inordinate amounts of time solving problems that have already been solved. It is a wasteful effort. A great example of this is when companies try to build their own internal solution to something that the marketplace already has addressed.
In Search of a Problem
Before you get excited and tackle that current problem, stop and ask yourself if it is really a problem.
Does it warrant dropping your work and putting your productivity on hold? Or is it merely a distraction in disguise?
Remember, you can’t solve every problem… and not every problem needs to be solved.
Share Your Thoughts: Does problem solving take you off task from getting your work done?
So true. As a leader in our office I started encouraging my people to
think through the problems like I would, this has dramatically cut down
on the amount of times I get called for every little thing that comes
up.
Great thought… When team members are empowered (and encouraged) to solve problems at the lowest level possible… It prevents many problems from “bubbling up.”
This has definitely eroded my productivity over the years. I finally learned that solving everyone else’s problems deprives them of the opportunity for the growth and creativity that comes with overcoming obstacles. It is easy to get sucked into and believing you’re getting things done.
Heather, yes… sometimes you have to let others solve their own problems to allow them to grow.
Interesting article, Craig. In general, I see what you’re saying. It does that time and some folks use a problem to procrastinate. However, I’d hate to think that someone who just read the title and now decides to let things slide and not address real problems. Solving someone else’s problems may limit their growth. Collaborating on problems together grows you both.
I hope they read the whole article… 🙂
It is true that too often we spend time to solve problems that are not problems.
..but specially in tech companies there are people that are more skilled to solve problems. Problem solving is a skill that can be learned, but still some people are naturally more talented to solve problems.
It would be in a way waste not to use the best skilled people for solving the problems, but then it is important to find out how the person itself feels about problem solving. Problem solving can be stressful and it can burn you out.
Thoughtful post. Maybe some who often find themselves in problem solving situations should seek a career where that is their primary responsibility, instead of beating themselves up about diminished productivity in their current situation.
So true. Taking time to solve someone’s problem, while it may make
you feel good, may actually destroy a day’s worth of productive
work. If you get sucked too deep down the rabbit hole, you may even get
hung for not figuring it out. That’s not to say you shouldn’t help
people, but you should only tackle these problems when time permits and
you can get a clear picture of where and how the problem may evolve in
the future so you can plan accordingly.
Solving problems of your own or those of others will surely make you less productive, don’t waste your precious time like that, it won’t come back.
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