I hope you had a great weekend. I did. But late the other night I got sucked into a CSI episode. My life is so full and busy I rarely have time to watch TV but this one had me hooked!
There was a scene where two of the techs were examining a car. The “Lt. Dan” character kept offering suggestions about ways to find clues (Ok, I know he’s not “Lt. Dan” in the show, but after Forrest Gump, Gary Sinise will forever and always remain “Lt. Dan” in my mind!!).
So there they are examining the car and the other technician keeps finding reasons solutions won’t work. Finally, Lt. Dan says, “Look, are you helping or hindering?”
“Are You Helping or Hindering?”
What an interesting concept. If you think about it, we are all doing one or the other almost all of the time. At work, home, with friends, etc., do you provide solutions or problems? Do you find ways that things can and will work or reasons why they won’t?
I wish I could say that I am naturally solution-oriented, but unfortunately, I find myself naturally playing devil’s advocate more often than not. When I coach clients to help them see things differently, I’m often able to help them because I have so much practice trying myself!
As you go through your week, ask yourself, “Am I Helping or Hindering?” Are you finding reasons things won’t work, or are you trying to find creative solutions?