When confronted with a problem or a new challenge, a common reaction is to do nothing. While thinking before you leap is prudent, you still need to get started or else the problem may fester or the opportunity may pass you by.
For those moments of indecision, I offer the following simple tool to get you started. Ask yourself the following three questions:
• What do I Know?
• What do I Want to Know?
• How Will I Find it Out?
Yes, this is pretty simple stuff. By simply writing down the answers to these questions (or, at least what you know at this time) you can uncover the depth of the problem in front of you or the magnitude of the opportunity. I suggest using an outline approach or bullets for the answers to each of these questions.
With this simple statement and top-of-mind facts, you can begin your research or problem solving. A good next step might be to seek out the help of a colleague or mentor to discuss the same three questions. It is my experience that others will see things that you overlooked. Add these inputs to your list and soon you will have a statement of work on how to proceed.
The key is to get started.
John Bradley Jackson
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