Do you have problems in life?
I know… Who doesn’t?
But I’m going to show you a simple way to get rid of all your woes.
Yes.. seriously!
But before that, a quick story.
Last year me and Arif were in Amsterdam with David Allen getting trained in GTD® Level 2 “Projects & Priorities”. Out of curiosity I asked David, “What’s the vision for the David Allen company.” His reply was, “To help create a world where there are no problems, only projects.”
That answer really stuck with me. It seemed like the ideal answer to the question, ‘How to stop complaining?’
What I loved about David’s reply was that it empowered me to re-frame any problem into a Project.
A project in GTD terms is the list of all your successful outcomes that take more than one step to complete.
This is what a projects list could look like:
- Digitize old family photographs
- Launch new version of Company Website
- Implement Systems in Customer Care department
- Get tooth filled
Nevertheless, circling back to my initial point on how you can get rid of all your problems.
When you think you have a problem, it puts you in the mindset of a victim. And when you’re a victim, there’s only one thing you can do well. COMPLAIN!
however…
… if you view the problem objectively, and ask yourself “What’s the successful outcome I desire from the resolution of this problem?” & “What’s the Next Action?”, you automatically move away from being a whiner to being the driver – the empowered individual who is now in control.
Here are some examples of how you can convert problems into projects, by asking the two critical questions discussed above:
Problem: I’ve got a short temper
Project: Control Over How I React to Situations
Next Action: Search Online for Good Anger Management Classes in my Locality
Problem: I don’t have enough money to buy an iPhone
Project: Save $200 for the next 3 months, to afford an iPhone
Next Action: Do a Budget Review to Identify Areas Where I Can Cut Unnecessary Expenses
Problem: My customer is giving me a tough time
Project: Turn Annoying Customer Into Evangelist
Next Action: Discuss with Partner why Customer May be Behaving the Way he is and What can be Done to Offer Better Experience to him
Problem: I’ve got a tooth ache.
Project: Ensure Proper Care to Eliminate Toothache
Next Action: Call Dentist to book an appointment
2 Steps to Start transforming Problems into Projects
Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed and catch yourself complaining,. take these two steps to get back in the Driver’s seat.
Step 1: Collect your thoughts and write down all the problems you think you have. Nothing is off limits – issues can be spiritual, emotional, physical or to do with relationships.
Step 2: For each problem ask yourself:
– What’s the successful outcome that would eliminate this problem from my life? This is your project.
– What’s the very next action to move forward on this Project? Now, this is where some people slip up. A Next Action is a single, tangible task that shouldn’t encompass more than one step. Ensure that your ‘Next Action’ is simple and not a mini project in itself.
Do these two things and you will notice yourself experiencing a shift right away. You will no longer be at the mercy of external circumstances. You will re-discover your inner warrior spirit!
So the next time you’re faced with a difficult situation, tell yourself “There are no problems. Only Projects.’ 🙂
Hi! I’m a Master Trainer in Getting Things Done®. Besides getting my real estate business under control, GTD® has helped me to explore my passions in Art & Spirituality, which has allowed me to publish four books. I’m here to show you how you can use GTD to master the Art of Stress-Free Productivity.
Awesome way to turn a problem into actionable projects. Myself am a fan of GTD and your article just got me thinking about problems which I still see as problems. Your article just reenergized me. Thank you.
Hi Vishal!
That’s awesome! GTD is not just helps you to Getting Things Done, but it helps you to overcome your problems. 🙂
Does this formula of converting problems into projects, also apply to personal life? Can you convert your wife’s constant bickering into a project of love? FYI: I am not married yet. Just asking 🙂
Well for that one you’ll have to find out for yourself 😉
Zakeer – You sure could (but first: Get a Wife). The bickering is not a problem for your wife.It is a problem for you. Thats why you can turn it into a project; even if your wife does not help you.
You could use Earplugs or you could talk to her or you could think about how the bickering relieves her of some inner stress and accept it. Its all in the mind, man.
Good food for thought and action
Assalam alkm Mohd ali vakeel
I just completed my G T D workshop with Arif vakeel at bombay last month. ….since then I m feeling action oriented and not just sitting idle. ..planning. …Analysis. …thinking only,but I was bit confused about projects and next for each project ie how to move my project. …but brother I got cleared after this article in which u explained by example. …Thanks again and I will be in your contact In future also Jazakallah for such a practical based article.
I’m so glad you found the workshop useful! and that this blog post helped in understanding “Projects” better. In level 2 of the workshop, we go deeper into explaining projects. I hope you’ll join us.
I am passing this good info on to friends who need this, perhaps more than me! It is important to surround ourselves with people who exude positive energy– so let’s help ourselves and our friends at the same time!
I’ve found the difference between winners and whiners depends on the people we have around us.
Thanks Chip! And that’s very true. A man is the average of the 5 closest people around him.
I have been using GTD in psychological counselling work with professionals for a couple of years – it is good to see I am not alone. When I see clients with anxiety and stress symptoms, and they are feeling overwhelmed with work, I invariably offer this approach to both personal challenges alongside their workplace demands.
In a problem-based a approach to outcome-action-result, I think your approach has merit, but only after one takes an objective look at the situation and determines that it is a problem worth solving and that he/she is the one to solve it. A good meditation program, such as Headspace, will teach you that.