Michele A Sfakianos LLC

Free 15­-Minute Consultation

The Art of Problem Solving

by Leave a Comment

The art of problem solving involves more than just jumping to the easiest solution. You have to really take time and analyze the problem. You have to come up with various solutions so you can find the perfect solution. You have to really make a conscious effort to solve a problem in a new way or the best way.

Here are some aspects of problem solving that you should start to use. You should take these aspects and apply them the next time you have a problem, no matter how big or small it is. You will then be able to understand the art of problem solving.

  • Being flexible. As mentioned, you have to go beyond your comfort zone. You have to avoid the immediate urge to go to the tried and true. You have to be flexible and willing to try something different. You will never know how great a solution may be if you do not try it.
  • Take time to think. You may need to step back and consider the situation before acting. You should brainstorm a little about the different ways you can solve this problem. Look at your options and stop before acting.
  • Ask questions. Part of solving a problem is to create new questions to answer. You may think this is silly and compounding a problem, but really by asking questions you will be led to deeper solutions.
  • Look at the problem in a different way. Do not approach the problem as you normally would. Try thinking differently about it. Avoid your natural tendencies. This may be hard at first but once you get used to thinking differently it will become second nature.
  • Think unconventionally. Come up with solutions that make no sense. You might surprise yourself and actually run across an unconventional idea that is the perfect solution to your problem.

By using these ideas, you can begin to start looking at problem solving in a whole new way. You will no longer just jump to the obvious conclusion, but rather be able to really find the perfect solution.

All it really involves is stepping back and taking some time. Not all problems must be solved right away. It is those problems that really let you put the art of problem solving to good use.

 

Want to Improve Your Relationships?

by Leave a Comment

Want to improve your relationships?

Do you want to improve your relationship with your friends, family, or colleagues…it’s all about connecting. We need people. We can’t do anything on our own in today’s world. We need to be able to connect and influence other people to succeed in this world.

The friction you experience in your day to day life comes down to leadership, connecting, and influence. The good news is this is a 100% a teachable skill. You can:

  • Learn to connect
  • Learn to lead
  • Learn to improve your ability to influence people

There’s a common misconception that certain people are born with the ability to connect. The Truth is:

  • Anyone can learn how to make every communication an opportunity for a powerful connection.
  • It is within your reach.
  • It will take you out of your comfort zone.

Most people don’t give any thought whatsoever to developing their ability to connect. They don’t see it as a skill or don’t see it as important. These people will push people to work harder, not smarter. Their teams fall apart.

A lack of connecting wouldn’t be such a problem if people weren’t so emotional. Human beings are emotional creatures at heart. We kid ourselves that we are rational, logical human beings. But that’s a front that some people put on. We’re emotional creatures and emotions rule our lives.

We can all be logical in certain situations, but there are others that allow a certain trigger to flip their switch and then tempers run deep. The red cloud descends and the emotional storm blows through us.

The better we are at connecting with other people, the better our results.

Zig Ziglar said: “If you first help people get what they want, they’ll help you get what you want.”

When you help someone to get what they want, do you expect something in return? Some don’t, but most do. It is how our society is programmed. We should do for others because we want to, not because we feel we have to.

Leadership is influence. Leadership is results through others. It’s all about others, but the reason connecting is such a skill is because it is much more complicated than just saying okay.

The way to success is through connections. Anyone can learn how to make every communication an opportunity for a powerful connection. It’s like any other skill. You need to learn the skill and practice it.

Many people have the “gift of gab” but when they talk are people really listening?

Connecting requires energy – you get out of it what you put into it.

If you are having trouble connecting with others, perhaps you need a personal coach or additional training. Contact me today and let’s get started on making those connections.

 

Are You Equipping Your Teen to Survive?

by Leave a Comment

​Turn on the news and most likely the stories you hear will include school shootings, bullying, sexting, car accidents, burglaries, and/or other types of acts being committed by teenagers. What has our world come to? Are you sending your kids to school with backpacks and tablet covers that are bulletproof? Is your teen having to carry a clear backpack, exposing their life to everyone? How did we get here?

When I say the word teenager what comes to mind? If you are like most people, the words rebellion, trouble, unsupervised, and stubborn come to mind. You might also think: mass shootings, drugs, crime, pregnancy, peer pressure, sex, puberty, driving, attitudes, relationships, irresponsible, and messy. Those about to go through the teen years might think: independence, first job, fun, sports, adventure, dating, invincible, and driving.

Dodging “bullets” used to mean he/she got a “D” instead of an “F.” Or, a teen who thought she was pregnant and wasn’t. Now it means so much more.

It’s time for all of us to get fired up and do what we can to protect our kids. There are so many kids out there that need your help and there are parents that have no idea what to do. It’s time for parents to take back control over their tweens and teens and equip them to deal with the many situations of today. Are you with me?

New Book Coming Soon!

by Leave a Comment

Teens Dodging “Bullets” 

I have a new book coming out soon and I hope you will support my efforts in getting the word out. I will be posting more information over the next couple of weeks and hope you will share.

Dodging “bullets” used to mean he/she got a “D” instead of a “F.” Or, a teen who thought she was pregnant and wasn’t. Now it means so much more.

Our teens are crying oceans of tears in private. They need help. It’s time for all of us to get fired up and do what we can to protect our kids. There are so many kids out there that need your help and there are parents that have no idea what to do. It’s time for parents to take back control over their tweens and teens and equip them to deal with the many situations of today. Are you with me?

What’s your Dream? What’s Your Vision?

by Leave a Comment

Do you have a dream? Do you have a vision of what your life should look like? 

Is your dream still alive, or are you stuck in the day-to-day, “just surviving” mode? There are two major elements that make your vision effective: core values and core purpose. Core values refer to the essential and established building principles that you live by. This sets your dreams apart from others. Come up with three to five values that are central to who you are. Here are some questions that will help you determine your core values:

  1. Create a list of what you want in your life.
  2. Create a list of what you don’t want in your life.
  3. Do you know what you do and how you do it well?
  4. What are your personal values?
  5. What are the personal values that you want others around you to have?

Your core purpose clearly defines the reason for your existence. 

  1. How is your health?
  2. How are your relationships going?
  3. What does your heart tell you?
  4. How is your financial status? 
  5. What gives you the greatest joy?

Once you determine your core values and your purpose, it is then that you should create a vision board. A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. 

The vision of your life is the foundation on which your present and future stands. It is a foundation of the present because it gives you the map and the fuel you need to start realizing and acting in the right way to fulfill your vision of the future.