Stuck in a Rut? Use this Step-by-Step Method to Overcome Any Obstacle

It happens to the best of us. We are moving along, getting things done, reaching our goals, and then all of a sudden we get stuck. An obstacle seems to get in the way. We start spinning our wheels and months go by, and we’re in the same situation extremely frustrated and stressed out.

So, what can you do when you get stuck?

Rather than continue spinning your wheels with the same actions, or lack thereof, try using this scientific problem solving method, also known as A3 Thinking, to come up with a better solution. Often times, it’s not a lack of ideas that gets people stuck. The solution or idea might be great on its own but it may not be the best one to tackle the root of the issue at hand.

A3 Thinking is an evidence based method that’s used by many industries and companies. It got its start at Toyota, where their floor shop managers and front-line employees have used this method to solve problems quickly for decades.

The same problem solving principles can be applied in personal development by learning how to overcome obstacles using a simple, systematic approach. This is the exact method I use to help clients (organizations and individuals) overcome obstacles blocking their path to success.

Putting a Band-Aid on Symptoms

Often, people tend to focus on the symptoms of the problem and never really address the underlying cause. So essentially, they’re applying a Band-Aid to their problem rather than truly fixing it.

Imagine someone who regularly gets headaches. They could easily take ibuprofen or another pain killer to make the pain go away, temporarily. But the underlying cause of the headache remains and therefore the pain will come back. If this person instead digs a bit deeper to understand when they get these headaches, what triggers them, how often they occur, etc. they might determine that every time they get less than 5 hours of sleep, a headache is sure to come around. Now, they can fix the real problem which is related to getting adequate sleep.

The 7-Step Scientific Problem Solving Method

1. Describe your Problem using the following format.

For the past ____months, _________________(the problem) has been happening, resulting in ___________ (the negative consequence).

Example: For the past 6 months, I’ve been struggling to lose weight, which has reduced my self-esteem and caused me health issues like knee pain.

2. Describe your Current State with quantifiable data (the physical evidence of the problem). What have you tried already?

Example: As of May 2017, I weighed in at 140 lbs. In the last 6 months, I’ve tried the Paleo diet, joined a local gym, and tried a juice fast. I lost a few lbs initially, but then gained all the weight back.

3. Describe your Target State with a quantifiable goal, include a date, how you will measure your success, and what success would look like for you. Give a reason WHY this is important to you – this is your anchor.

Example: My goal is to lose and keep off 10 lbs. for 8 weeks in a row by October, 2017, as measured by weekly weigh-ins. I will have less knee pain, more energy, and more confidence in myself. Because I’ll be able to do more physical activities without pain and feel good about how my clothes fit me, I’ll be happier.

4. Now, it’s time to analyze WHY you’re struggling with achieving your goal. You need to drill down to understand the Root Cause.

Traditionally, someone trying to lose weight after 6 months might either a) get discouraged and give up because it’s not working anyway, or b) try a new diet or join a different exercise program thinking that’s the solution.

They think they haven’t been able to lose the weight because the Paleo diet just wasn’t working for them. They love bread and dairy too much. They think, “Maybe a low-carb diet might work better” so they try that for a while, until they give that up too. They read about another fad diet or exercise program and get excited, temporarily, and eventually the interest fizzles out like all the other ideas.

Keep it Simple – Less is More

The issue is that you cannot just pile more solutions on top of solutions and just hope something will stick! It’s not sustainable and it’s not effective.

Instead, you need to figure out the underlying reason(s) keeping you from your target state.

First, start by listing all the contributors to why you might not be losing weight. This is a brainstorming exercise so think freely. The only rule is you can’t come up with a solution disguised as a root cause (I.g. I don’t have a treadmill at home).

Example:

• I love to eat too much.

• I hate exercising.

• I don’t have time to exercise.

• I am too tired in the mornings to exercise.

• I’m too hungry by the time I get home from work and end up eating junk food.

• I don’t have time to pack a lunch so I end up eating fast food.

• I don’t know how to cook healthy and easy meals.

• I don’t have time to cook.

• I lose interest easily.

Now, pick your top 3 reasons that contribute 80% to the problem of not losing weight. Begin drilling down on each contributor, asking why after each answer until you get to the root cause. The thinking is that it often requires someone to ask why multiple times, in this case 5 times, before the real cause of the issue surfaces.

Let’s Try It

The 5 WHYs is a common problem solving technique used in many industries to drill down the lowest level in a cause and effect chain that is actionable. In reality, it might take even 7 whys before you get to the root cause, but the general rule is to ask why at least 5 times to peel the onion back several layers. Little kids are really good at this.

Ask WHY 5 Times

Aha! See what happened? The root of the issues here were a little different than what may have known if we didn’t dig deeper.

5.  Now that you know your 3 root causes, you can come up with a Plan of Action to remove them.

      6.   Now, Make it Happen!

Check in with yourself at the end of each week the first 30 days. Readjust For example, maybe you realize that Tuesdays and Thursdays are actually a bad time to go to the gym after work because those are the busiest days, and you end up having to wait for the machines. So, try out Mondays and Wednesdays.

1. 1. If something isn’t working, change it. You don’t have to keep spinning your wheels trying the same thing if it’s not working.
   2. How’s it going? Are you sticking to your plan? If so, great! If not, why not? Ask why a few times to really understand what’s blocking you. Then, (this is key) make a small change and readjust.
   3. Make your 3 small goals easy to track by making them visual. You can put up post-its in your bathroom or fridge, or on a calendar as reminders.

     7.   Reflection and Next Steps

• At the end of 30 days, re-evaluate your progress.
• What worked really well?
• What didn’t work so well? Why?
• What did you learn?
• What noticeable changes have you seen?
• How far are you from achieving your next goal?
• What are you going to keep doing or change for the next 30 days?

Example:

Day 30 – Weighed in at 136; lost 4 lbs. Learned that gym is super crowded on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Changed schedule to Mondays and Wednesdays.

Because it’s now scheduled on my calendar and agreed upon with my husband, I’m actually able to make it happen without any stress.

Since I didn’t have an additional diet goal, I could focus just on getting my workout schedule in place.

Now that I have maintained a weekly workout schedule, I’m going to modify my diet by cutting out snacks after dinner for the next 30 days.

Since using a timer, I’ve been going to bed on time and at the same time each night, which has improved my energy levels. I don’t use the snooze button any longer.

I have had less knee pain in the past 2 weeks and my dresses fit me looser.

Call to Action:

What problem or obstacle are you facing right now? Use this 7-step method to work through it. Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions or feedback!

Cheers to your success,

Sonia