Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Creative Ideas are Unlimited! There are 293 Ways to Make Change for a Dollar!

How would you make change for a dollar bill? You could give someone two 50 cent pieces, four quarters, 10 dimes, 20 nickels, 100 pennies, right? Or you could give another 288 combinations of those five different coins. Yes, there are 293 ways to change that dollar bill. There are also hundreds and even thousands of possible ways for you to solve your problems and life’s challenges. There is an answer to every challenge—if you dig deep enough and make the effort to find it.
As the old Abraham Maslow quote goes, “If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” In other words, you tend to see only one solution to a challenge you’re faced with. But realize that whatever challenge you’re faced with—money, time, health, career, relationships—  there are an infinite number of possible solutions. Let me give you some suggestions on how you can find the best solution to what you need help with.
Here are some starting points…
1.    Clearly define what the challenge is. That’s not a new idea, yet so often people faced with a challenge haven’t clearly identified exactly what result they are attempting to get.
As an example, a friend called me and said he wasn’t happy in his job. Sound familiar? Millions of people feel that way—but what does it really mean? After a brief series of questions it became clear to him that he really loved his job. What he was unhappy about was his boss didn’t seem to appreciate his efforts and didn’t give him much positive feedback. That’s a lot different than “not liking his job.” So now my friend’s challenge is defined. “How do I get my boss to give me the recognition I feel I need and deserve?” If there are 293 ways to change a dollar, there’s many ways to solve that challenge!
Make sure you know exactly what it is you’re attempting to solve.
2.    Ask for help. Call in your cavalry! Use your contacts and ask those you respect for their help. They’re your friends for a reason. They like you and want the best for you. Put your pride on hold and just say, “I can use some help. Will you talk with me about a challenge I’m having?”
3.    Use the Internet. The Web can provide you answers to almost any question. Google has over a million servers that process over a billion search requests a day!  What used to be information only experts possessed is now available to you instantly. Like, how many ways can you make change for a dollar? 293. Or that a dime has 118 ridges around the edge, and that all 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial shown on the back of the five dollar bill. OK, most likely that’s not the kind of help you’ll need! But it shows you how you can find information on almost any subject you want. So don’t guess! Search it out.
4.    Then take action. Doing nothing is the cause of more difficulties than making the wrong decisions. A wise man taught me years ago that if you’re driving and you get lost without a GPS to guide you, and you’re not sure which way to turn (right or left?), always turn right, and go as fast as you can! If you’re wrong, you’ll find out soon enough and can double back. Action is the key! You don’t need to be right 100% of the time. 51% positive makes you still a winner.
Yes, you’ll have challenges and, yes, they can be very difficult ones. Trust me on this—Ideas are unlimited. There is an answer, even to exactly how many ways you can make change for a dollar!
MAKE it a great day!
JOEL

No comments: