| "Here a problem, there a problem, everywhere a | | | | be the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and |
| problem, problem, oh McDonald had a problem, E, I, E, | | | | financial expenses and liabilities? What are the rights |
| I, O, OH NO!" The world is full of problems, just ask | | | | and responsibilities of all involved? Who will be |
| any cynic. Perhaps, you're reading this because you | | | | responsible for maintenance of the solution? The |
| want to be a problem solver, or hopefully, you are | | | | process of Counseling may necessitate the services |
| looking for ideas to serve as a lighthouse to guide | | | | of an attorney to look at the legal issues, required |
| you in making a constructive transformation of some | | | | paperwork, and ramifications. Keep in mind that it's a |
| sort in the microcosm of your locale, business, place | | | | mathematical certainty, the more data collected, the |
| of employment, or even the greater global | | | | greater the possibilities for the next "C". |
| community. If you are motivated to make a positive | | | | Once you've spent an impressive tour in the waters |
| difference somehow, someway, you are invited to | | | | of Counsel, Craft a map of creative solutions. |
| continue. | | | | Transcribe in detail the prospective routes. This will |
| Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group | | | | be beneficial through the remaining "C's". You'll need |
| of thoughtful, devoted citizens can change the world; | | | | to draft blueprints to pass the doldrums of apathy |
| indeed it is the only thing that has." | | | | and indifference, as well as, strategies to affront the |
| Here is the course these citizens have navigated to | | | | hurricanes of skepticisms and tsunamis of intolerance. |
| reach their destination and so can you. | | | | Next, network Cooperation from as many individuals, |
| 1. Conviction | | | | organizations, and businesses as you can that may |
| 2. Courage | | | | possibly have a stake in the outcome of the resolved |
| 3. Counsel | | | | problem. There have been volumes written on |
| 4. Craft | | | | techniques for networking, particularly in the realm of |
| 5. Cooperation | | | | business. If you are not familiar with recent discussion |
| 6. Communication | | | | on this topic, take the time and effort to do so. |
| 7. Commitment | | | | Within this "C" you may also need to allocate |
| We all have at least one problem that we are | | | | responsibility. |
| passionate about solving. This passion is the | | | | Communicate the objectives, articulate ideas, impart |
| Conviction. The issue could be an unfair practice at | | | | information, share feelings and feedback. This must |
| work, increasing productivity, taking care of | | | | be a multi-directional, fluid process throughout your |
| employee's interests, or filling a market niche and | | | | network. Communication should be a haven where |
| increasing exposure. There could be a need for a | | | | each feels safe from storms of emotions and |
| fence around a school campus for child safety or | | | | treacherous reefs of self-centeredness. |
| even an absurd zoning regulation that should | | | | Communication needs inlets of openness where all |
| experience extinction. It might even be a larger task | | | | the shipmates are respected. Locate the placid bays |
| of bringing peace to a civil war. Conviction is always | | | | where tacit whispers of ideas can be heard, for here |
| the first and easiest part of the journey. It is also | | | | may be found a treasure chest of possibilities. How |
| the closest to the harbor of non-involvement. | | | | this "C" is crossed determines the success or failure |
| Courage is the fortitude to step forth and become | | | | of the voyage. |
| involved. It also requires that we assess our | | | | Commitment can be the most arduous "C" to |
| attributes, attitude, and resources while looking | | | | navigate. It may entail a return to one or more of |
| forward at Commitment. The spark of Courage | | | | the previous "C's" for continued buoyancy and not |
| comes from within, but can be fanned into a | | | | sinking from the onslaught of the monsters of doubt |
| formidable blaze with the winds of support and | | | | and new problems that have surfaced. You may |
| fueled with victories. Gain inner strength from | | | | come across false successes as Sirens alluring you |
| meditation on positive words, inspirational | | | | from the true goals. Undoubtedly, you will also |
| experiences, and principles. Courage is the fortress of | | | | experience the icebergs of setback, threatening to |
| character that will sustain you through to the success | | | | put a tragic end to your gallant journey. |
| of a positive change. | | | | Consequently, select a theme, adopt a saying, a |
| Counsel, the third "C", may involve more that just | | | | religious verse, a motto, or creed. Such a statement |
| seeking advice from friends or others who have | | | | of belief will aid in keeping your sights focused on the |
| traversed a course similar to your undertaking. The | | | | new shore, the destination of resolution and the |
| gathering of as much information and ideas as | | | | treasures to be achieved. |
| possible is a large ocean of consideration. Here are | | | | You could be a new seaman or an experienced |
| just a few of its tides. What is the underlying cause? | | | | captain, non-the-less, use this as your sextant for |
| How did the problem arise? What could have | | | | setting sail. When you have reached the territory of |
| prevented it? Who, what, and to what extant are | | | | a successful resolution consider another adventure, a |
| the effects of the condition? Who, what, and to | | | | new exploration in discovering a problem to be |
| what extant will a solution produce affects? What | | | | conquered in the name of positive change. |
| have been or are the possible obstacles? What may | | | | |