Here is some great advice not only for your career goals, but for your life. Being a good person, doing the right things will always take you to the path that you want to get to. Standing up and showing your pride, your work ethic, and what you have to offer will set you apart. After watching this video, take the time to talk about what sets you apart and what makes you different.

Check out this video on how two friends have the same task, but think of different ways to solve the same problem. After watching this video ask yourself, which person are you? Do you like to take the shortcut and get rewarded right away? Or do you like to plan long-term and wait for your reward?

You made it!

Although this example of a printer paper issue is relatively small, it is these small steps you take that will allow you to grow and take more initiative. Your ability to not only recognise problems, but also effectively solve them will make you an asset to your current or future employer. Often times during an interview, employers want a concrete example of how you solved a difficult situation, or any problem for that matter. This is an example that you can give to your employer. If you are currently employed and have solved a problem that has come to your attention, share your ideas and outcome with your employer for them to recognise that you can be independent.

Can you think of a time at your workplace or at school where you had identified an issue? What steps did you take to resolve the issue? What would you have changed or done differently?

Step 5: Choose the Best Alternative and Test it

You have now come up with many great ideas as to how you are going to solve the issue of your printer paper. You decide that just one of the ideas alone will not be satisfactory, and as a result, you decide to combine a few things, and refine them to suit the needs of your office.

The first thing you do is take a few boxes of printer paper and put them on the cart which you found beside the printer. The next thing you do is take out 2 trays of the legal size paper and put in the the regular size printer paper. Finally, you put a notice on the table requesting that when the paper is out, for it to be filled by whoever is reading the notice.

Montior the printer for the next few weeks and see if there is a change. If the result is positive, then continue the process. If things do not seem to get better, or if something does not make sense. Tweek and adjust the areas of concern in order to ensure that the printer issue no longer arises.

Step Four: Consider the Alternatives and Implications

Based on the evidence that you have found in the previous step, think of a few suggestions. Based on the ideas you have, consider both the advantages and disdavantages of each. No idea is perfect, but there is always one which will be more helpful than another. When thinking of a way to solve your problem, remember a few key things:

• Costs
• Benefits
• Consequences
• Obstacles
• The Goal

After you have considered all these factors, the most important factor to consider is how your solution will impact those around you.

In the case of the printer paper, you could change 2 of the 3 trays of legal paper with regular paper. You can also ask the people who are closest to the printer to change the paper when they notice that it is out. You can also bring the paper from the lower floor and place it on the cart.

There are several options for you to choose from. Each has a cost and benefit as well as a consequence. Some of the obstacles are big and some are small. But at the end, each will allow you to achieve your goal.

Step Three: Evaluate the Evidence

Now that you have identified four aspects of the printer issue, it is time to evaluate your evidence. First, the evidence you have found is soley based on your persepctive. You do not know if others notice this as well, as you have not discussed it with your co-workers. In that moment, you notice that there are 3 trays of legal paper, but perhaps someone in the office at that moment is printing out a bunch of legal documents. Finally, the cart that is beside the printer. Did it just show up all of a sudden? Or has it been there for a while? Maybe it belongs to another co-worker.



Step Two: Gather Information

Now that you have identified the problem, you need to find out why this problem is occuring. The first thing that you notice is that there are four trays of paper for your printer. Three of these trays hold legal size papers, and one of them holds regular size paper. 95% of the documents that you and your office members print are on regular size paper and not legal. The second thing that you notice is that there is a cart right beside your printer with nothing on it. The third thing you notice is that the paper is located on the lower floor of the building. The final thing that you notice is that once you do load paper into the printer, most of the documents printed are by the individuals who sit closest to the printer.

Step One: Identify and Clarify the Problem

Many issues can arise in the workplace. Some of these problems may be big, and usually have severe consequences. Others are small but constant annoyances.

Let us take the example of a small but constant annoyance. Let's say that you work in an office with one central printer. Every person who works in the office uses this printer. Every now and then the printer runs out of paper and needs to be filled. You find that this is happening more frequently than before. The paper in your office is located on the lower floor. You have identified this issue. This is first step in Problem Solving.

For the rest of the steps, we will use this example of the printer and running out of paper.

Let's Get Started

Having a career has changed a lot in the last decade. Employers do not want to hire unreliable workers. Rather, they are looking for charismatic personalities, innovative thinking, and self-motivation/direction in employees.

It is no longer about having a 9-5 job, it is about understanding the culture, problem solving, and dedication. A job is just something you go to on a day-to-day basis to get by. A career is a part of your life which you dedicate to become something great.

In the next few weeks we will be talking about 5 important steps you need to take in order to effectively and efficiently problem solve. After all of these steps, you will be a well-rounded individual ready to enter the workforce for that dream career that you have always wanted.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog on career coaching! Stay tuned.