The Four Causes of All your Problems

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

The Four Causes of all Your Problems

There are four major causes of all your problems, they are:

1. Yourself.
2. Other people.
3. The "system".
4. Mother nature.

Let us say a few words on each.

1. Yourself as the cause of your problems.

Is it true that YOU could be the source of some of your problems?

Yes. We all have bad habits that cause us to mess-up, these bad habits could be:

• poor nutritional habits,
• poor speech habits,
• poor time-keeping habits,
• poor sleep habits,
• poor work habits.
• poor thinking habits.

These habits can be the cause of many of the problems we experience.

The interesting thing about bad habits, is that they seem to be invisible to the person possessing them. Many people don't recognise their bad habits. They are oblivious.

If they do recognise their own bad habits, many people try to defend them, rather than try to change them.

Many people who keep their bad habits, try to blame their problems on other people.

2. Other people.

Is it true that other people could be the source of your problems?

Yes. Other people's errors, omissions and bad habits can cause you problems. You need to know how to manage problems caused by other people.

However, it is a sad fact that, other people don't accept responsibly for the problem: They like to blame, "the system".

3. The system.

Is it true that the system; or "system failure" can be the cause of your problem?

Yes. So, you need to know how to "fix the broken system".

At a more profound level, the problem is not the fault of the system, but rather, it is caused by the actions of Mother nature.

4. Mother nature as the cause of your problems.

Mother nature is not always benevolent. Sometimes mother nature is the cause of serious problems. Nature includes, viruses, bacterial infections, snakes, storms, floods and droughts. Mother nature can be dangerous; she can be the cause of your problems.

You need to know how to deal with natural disasters.

Problem solving SOS.

Of the above list of four causes, we can act effectively against the first three. We cannot do too much to stop the laws of nature.

But we can work to improve ourselves, other people and "the system".

This creates the concept of Problems Solver SOS.

S = self

O = others

S = systems

Here is the rule to remember:

"I will work to improve the performance of, myself, the others, and the system."

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Decision Making and Problem Solving

• The Law of Diminishing Returns
  More is not necessarily better. There is a point which is optimum. After this point comes diminishing returns, where additional amounts of time, money and effort are ineffective and may even be dangerous.
  Read Article >
• Key Steps to Better Decisions
  Better decisions shape our lives, impacting careers, relationships, and happiness. Here are key principles to guide decision-making and steer towards success.
  Read Article >
• Unlocking the Power of First Principles
  When supporting our opinions, we often turn to facts or fundamental principles. However, one of these approaches emerges as significantly more impactful. We explore why this is important.
  Read Article >
• What is the Law of Cause and Effect?
  "Everything happens for a reason" is a commonly used expression, but not necessarily accurate. Everything that happens has a cause, or causes. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
  Read Article >
• Decision Making and Problem Solving Training
  When you are faced with a situation, you need to classify what kind of situation it is, then use the appropriate mode of thinking for the problem.
  Read Article >

Looking for Leadership and Management Training?

If you're looking to develop your Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:

Open Training Course Pricing and Availability

Next Open Course Starts in 18 days, Preston, places available Book Now >