Tuesday 28 June 2011

Rule#43 Rule of Problem and Opportunity (ROPOP)

The rule

As long as we are alive, we will always face problems in this world. It could be anything from a financial problem or health problem or relationship problem etc. Many people in this world dislike problems. Imagine a perfect world with no problems. A world with no problems means a world with no diseases, no accidents, no sickness, no shortage of money, no shortage of food where everything is perfect. If such world exists, then that means many professions will be redundant. There is no need for doctors because no one is sick. No need for policeman because no one commits any crime. Food is always plentiful and available without the need to grow and make it. Everyone will have money and nobody needs to work.
In the real world, we need to work to earn money and we will face many problems throughout our lifetime. A problem to us is really an opportunity in disguise. It is an opportunity for other people to earn their living by solving your problem. Doctors solve your health problem. Bankers solve your financial problem. People who work in oil & Gas Company solve transportation problem by providing petrol to the world. People who work in Telecommunication Company solve communication problem by providing telephone, mobile phone and internet connection to the world.

What is this rule

This rule asks you to look at problems from different perspective. Problems are uncomfortable and painful but at the same time problems are also opportunities. Problems are opportunities for other people to gain rewards when they solve your problems and problems are also opportunity for you to improve yourself and get rewards when you solve your problem.

How to implement this rule

Whenever you are faced with a problem, change your view that it is actually an opportunity for other people and yourself. It is an opportunity for other people who can solve your problem to make a living. For example, when you are sick, you will go to a clinic or hospital where the doctor and nurses will treat you with medicine and other treatment. You are indirectly giving the opportunity for other people to earn their living.
A problem such as a sickness is at the same time an opportunity for you. For example if your sickness is due to infection and when your sickness is healed, your body will have the opportunity to become stronger by having the necessary antibody to fight the infection. A sickness is also an opportunity for you to take a break. For example when you get a sickness that makes you unable to work, the doctor will give you Medical Certificate or MC. You can use your MC days to take a break from your work and to relax your body and mind at your place as part of the healing process. Finally, a sickness is also an opportunity for you to reflect yourself. You will reflect the reason you get the sickness, perhaps by not taking good care of yourself. By doing this you will have the opportunity to improve yourself by taking the preventive action to avoid the same sickness.
Sickness is just an example. In general all the problems that you faced are opportunities for both other people to assist you in solving your problem and earn their rewards (monetary, recognition, gratitude etc) and for yourself to reflect on the problem and take the necessary action to improve yourself.

The benefit of this rule

This rule stresses on positive thinking. If you see a problem as a problem, you will always see that problem in negative light and by doing this you will only attract the negative parts of that problem. You will feel miserable, helpless, angry, empty, sad etc. If on the other had you see problem as an opportunity, you will see that problem in positive light and you will attract all the positive attributes that come with a problem. You will feel energetic, dynamic, enthusiastic, challenged, creative, elevated, strong to work and solve your problem. A problem is just an opportunity for you and other people to earn rewards.

More about this rule

Please find more examples about the problems that you may face and the hidden opportunities that come with them:

  • A financial problem is an opportunity for banks or your friend to lend you money and for them to earn their reward (interest for bank, gratitude for friends). A financial problem is also an opportunity for you to look inside yourself and ask yourself what can you do to alleviate your financial problem? Can you get a part-time job? Can you ask your boss for a raise or a promotion? Can you change your job to new one with higher salary?

  • A relationship problem is an opportunity for counselor and friends to give advice in order to save the relationship and earn their rewards (income for counselor, gratitude for friends). It is also an opportunity for you to look inside yourself and ask yourself what can I do to be a better partner? Then you need to improve yourself. In the worst case scenario and the relationship problem end in a breakup, it is then an opportunity for you to find a new relationship and a better, loving and caring partner.

  • When you are faced with a difficult problem at work, it is an opportunity for you to show your skills and your capability to solve that problem. When you are successful, people will recognize your skills and experience. Your boss might even give you a promotion due to your success in solving a difficult problem.

A businessman is a problem solver. A businessman will solve other people’s problem by fulfilling the needs of others and earn their rewards in the process. For example, Bill Gates who is one of the richest men in the world solve other people’s problem who want to use a computer easily by providing Windows which is a user friendly Operating System for the majority of the computers in the world. Warren Buffet who used to be the richest man in the world solve other people’s problem who want to invest but don’t know how to do it. I believe you can be a businessman just by asking yourself what are other people’s problem that I can solve and create / sell products that will solve that problems. You are actually asking what the other people’s needs are and what can you create / sell to fulfill that needs?
So the next time when you are faced with a problem, tell yourself ‘what problem? There is no problem, just an opportunity’.


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