How to cut through the BS.

There are three questions I like to use when I’m looking at new business opportunities or trying to fix a current problem.

But for years I was never super clear on them. 

Then a few months back my wife shared them in the most beautifully elegant way which made it finally stick with me. 

When you ask yourself these questions and seek honest answers, it can be incredibly motivating for you and your team. 

Here they are:

1. What’s wrong with the world?

2. What caused it to get this way?

3. What are you going to do about it? 

 Here’s another way to look at them:

1. What’s wrong with your business
2. What caused it to get this way
3. What are you going to do to fix it

Or again...

1. What’s wrong with your marketing?
2. What caused it to get this way?
3. What can you do to fix it?

Or again...

1. What's wrong with your career/finances/fitness?
2. What caused it to get this way?
3. What actions can you take to fix it?

The same questions can be global, national, industry-focused, community-oriented, or narrowed right down to a function or crisis within your life or your business. 

And nearly every time I’m stuck or I see an opportunity, I force myself to jot a few points down under each question to help me find the critical action points.

It helps me gain rapid momentum in the right areas and align others with my direction.

I recently did it for the bakery industry during a presentation to our core management team. 

It helped bring everyone up to speed on three large industry problems I see.

A primary cause for each of those problems. 

And a proposed solution that is well within reach for us if we work together this year.

Time will tell if we solve it. 

But I did notice that there was way more alignment and clarity in the room when I used this framework of questioning instead of simply directing.

So if you want to solve a juicy problem this year, or chase down opportunities, run it through this sequence of asking yourself a few simple questions.

1. What’s wrong with (your focus area)? - The problem

2. What caused it to get this way? - The why

3. What are you going to do about it? - The solution

It'll give you massive clarity around how to take rapid positive action. 

I hope it helps!

Have a great week.