By: Ryan Husband

In Matthew McConaughey's book, Greenlights, he presents a solution to all our problems: every moment, challenge, or opportunity is a "Greenlight." There is no moment in your life that cannot be classified as a moment in time that gave way to the next reward or breakthrough. McConaughey redefines what it means to struggle through adversity or prosper through accomplishments, framing them as one and the same. Imagine being able to take any thought or moment captive and truly believing in the deepest part of your mind that the pain and triumph worked for you, not against you. This is not necessarily about reframing roadblocks; if you'd like to learn more about that, refer to episode #2 of the Prescription Podcast. Rather, it's about being solution oriented. What does it mean to be solution-oriented? Essentially, it means focusing on finding solutions rather than just dwelling on the problems.

Take Ownership of the Problem:

Taking ownership of a problem involves assuming responsibility for finding a solution. When faced with a problem, two options are available: complain about the problem or take ownership of it. Complaining only serves to deepen one's negative perspective and can hinder the ability to believe in a solution. In contrast, taking ownership of the problem leads to a solution-oriented mindset and encourages the exploration of potential solutions. By taking ownership of the problem, one is free to think creatively and devise effective solutions. This identity shift can be empowering and lead to greater confidence in tackling future problems.

Believe the Solution is Better:

It's common to feel powerless when confronted with a problem, making it difficult to take ownership of the situation. When you can't envision a better solution than your current reality, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. However, by creating a vision of what the future could look like once the problem is solved, you can begin to put forth effort towards finding a solution.

But what happens when the reward of solving the problem doesn't seem to be worth the effort? This is where many people begin to doubt themselves and their abilities. They may feel that they are not capable of achieving a better outcome, and as a result, they continue to stagnate both professionally and personally.

To combat this, it's important to acknowledge your own potential and believe that you can create a better future for yourself. By focusing on the positive outcomes that could result from solving the problem, you can gain the motivation you need to start taking action. With dedication and perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve the success you deserve.

Brainstorm & Gain Momentum:

It's common to feel like you don't have ownership of a problem because it can be daunting to think about what it would take to solve it. However, when we don't take ownership, we often miss out on opportunities to create positive change. It's important to take the time to brainstorm and develop ideas, even if they seem challenging at first. By doing so, we can gain momentum and begin to see the problem in a new light. During this process, it's helpful to identify the root causes of the problem and consider different perspectives. This can lead to more creative and effective solutions. Remember, it's okay to take small steps towards a solution and to ask for help when needed. The important thing is to keep moving forward and not give up on finding a resolution.

Being solution-oriented is a valuable quality in both personal and professional settings. It can help you avoid getting stuck in a negative mindset and instead focus on what you can do to improve the situation.

Of course, being solution-oriented doesn't mean ignoring problems or pretending they don't exist. Rather, it means approaching problems with a mindset that is focused on finding solutions, rather than just complaining or giving up. "Don't complain about something you're unwilling to take action on."

Next time you encounter a problem, try to approach it with a solution-oriented mindset. You may be surprised at how much of a difference it can make...