There are a lot of different ways to look at things. Some people see a situation one way, others may see it completely differently. It doesn’t mean either interpretation is wrong, but everything we see and do is colored by our perspectives and our experiences. When we are looking for solutions to problems there are some who feel there is only one right way to solve it. It’s hard to convince them there isn’t a paved road to their particular solution, and it can cause some conflict. But of course, there is rarely only one solution to any problem we face. More often there are several scenarios that will address the issue and each has its merit. It’s important to remember that, especially during times when we feel strongly that we have the answer.
No matter where we want to go, there is more than one route and more than one mode of transportation to get us there. We could drive, we could fly, we could walk or we could ride. There are main highways, direct routes, back roads, detours, and endless differences in how we get to the destination. But eventually they will all take us where we want to go. The scenery may differ, it may take various amounts of time to travel, and our experiences while we’re in transit will be different. But eventually we will arrive at the destination no matter how we choose to get there, or what route we take. We understand this when we think about actually going places, but understanding it when we’re solving problems is a little different.
We all feel strongly about certain things. Some of us take a wide view of things and are laid back with details. Others of us are precise and prefer things to be planned exactly and predictably. Neither method is right or wrong. It’s just a difference in style. When we have a problem we need to solve and others are involved, if we are strongly convinced that our method is the one true answer, it will be difficult for us to hear other ideas. But other ideas have value, and there is much to be learned by hearing them, and understanding them. The best solutions are found when several ideas are considered. If we focus just on our solution and don’t hear anything else, we miss the opportunity to possibly discover something better. We all want the best solutions, and hearing other perspectives often leads us to them.
Today if you’re working on a solution to a problem and you are sure you have the best answer, take a minute to explore other possibilities. Listen to the other ideas presented and be open to seeing how they could work. Look around and evaluate all the possibilities. You have great ideas, but so do others. Be open to them. You want the very best solution, and that often comes from several sources. Be creative, and embrace the possibilities. You might discover that the perfect solution is something different than you first imagined.
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