The Triple R Plan

We are too close to our problems to understand what they really are. Stepping back gives you the clarity to charge ahead with a plan. Never deal with a problem when you are still in the emotional debris caused by it. We have to shift our focus from what is seen to what may be unseen. Find the cause. Get perspective and deal with the problem head-on. If there is rotten fruit there is a destructive root. You can’t solve problems in the wrong state of mind. Will Rogers said, “When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.”

Deal with yourself before you deal with the problem. If you are angry, hurt, bitter, or frustrated at your problems it can easily cloud your judgment. Don’t react to problems…act on problems. Understand that the more emotionally invested you are into a problem, the harder it becomes to solve it. You have to deal with your response to the problem before you can deal with the problem itself. You have to keep your cool and be alert. This happens by making sure you are preemptively keeping yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially healthy. The more you do to keep yourself strong, the greater the margin is before you lose yourself.

Follow my Triple R plan when dealing with problems.

1) Retreat

The first thing we must do when problems occurs is to step back and retreat. Make sure you are in the right mind before you engage challenges. Step back and slow down before you or someone else makes a knee-jerk reaction. You can’t deal with challenges when you are caught up the middle of them. By simply stepping back from the situation, you will be amazed at the clarity it can bring. Get away somewhere that you can collect your thoughts. Never make decisions when you are in the dumps. 

2) Refuel

Before dealing with problems you are going to need the energy to break through. Don’t try to engage problems when you are at your lowest. Refuel your emotional tank so that you have enough gas to make it through the problem-solving process. When our energy is low our mind is off–it’s jarred out of focus. Never face a challenge without being prepared for it…as well as you possibly can. For every challenge you face, you should have an equal refueling opportunity. Pour into yourself first so you can pour out your best to others. Face problems on a full tank.  

3) Resume 

Only when you are focused should you re-engage with your challenges. When you have properly energized yourself you can then be ready to tackle a challenge. The healthier you are, the faster you can resume where you left off. It’s amazing how our physiological wellbeing can affect our ability to problem solve. Don’t resume prematurely if it is in your control. Jumping back into a problem without being prepared for it can cause things to unravel even faster. Resume when you have resolved your focus and energy. Approaching a problem correctly can mean the difference between creating more problems or creating better solutions. 

Great leaders only deal with problems when they have collected themselves enough to actually deal with them appropriately. Never make knee-jerk reactions or you’ll lose influence and impact as a result. However, follow the Triple R Plan and you’ll gain greater influence and impact as a result.