The document discusses effective problem solving and decision making. It outlines an 8-step process for solving problems: 1) define the problem clearly in writing, 2) identify all possible causes, 3) generate multiple potential solutions, 4) make a decision, 5) assign responsibility, 6) set a deadline, 7) follow up and monitor progress, and 8) generate new solutions if needed. Effective communication and meetings are also emphasized for collaborative problem solving.

1. Helping devotees succeed!

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3.  The significant problems we face cannot be solved
on the same level of thinking we were at when we
created them. Albert Einstein
 We need a different perspective, different
consciousness.
 We cannot remain in ignorance and expect to solve
our problems effectively.
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4.  How do you see your problems?
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5.  The biggest problem in our lives is not the
problems we face but the way we see them.
 If you see a problem as a problem, THAT is a
problem.
 If you see a problem as an opportunity, you have a
starting point of effectively solving your problem.
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6.  If you think that every problem is an opportunity
for something, your problem solving will be
creative and effective.
 Stop using the word 'problem'.
 Whatever difficult thing you encounter in life, you
can call it a challenge or an opportunity.
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7.  Problems that life puts before us are not meant to
crush us or discourage us.
 They are meant to help us learn, grow and become
wiser.
 They are meant to make us stronger.
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8.  Welcome your problems and see the hand of the
supreme intelligence in them.
 Use them to your advantage.
 When you face a problem, ask yourself 'What this
problem is an opportunity for?'
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9.  1. Every living human beings has problems.
2. Every problem has a limited life span.
3. Every problem holds positive possibilities.
4. Every problem will change you.
5. You can choose what your problem will do to
you.
6. There is a negative and a positive reaction to
every problem.
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11.  One man first had an aeroplane accident, survived,
but remained paralysed.
 Then he burned himself completely in a motorbike
accident.
 Nowadays he is a motivational speaker.
 His face is still burnt, he can't walk, he doesn't
even have hands, but he is so happy and
successful.
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12.  When he was in a hospital, a nice-looking nurse
came to take care of him. He decided to marry her.
 She is now his wife and she is happy to have such
a husband.
 He looks almost like a monster, he but his mind is
so focused, so strong.
 You can see him on the Internet, he writes books,
gives talks to large audiences.
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13.  People have such extreme difficulties in their lives,
much worse than anything we went through.
 This man turned a huge problem into an
opportunity.
 In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says:
“O Partha, happy are the ksatriyas to whom such
fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for
them the doors of the heavenly planets.” Bg 2.32
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14.  Arjuna saw fighting as a problem, but Krishna
explained that this is an opportunity.
 The biggest problem is not the problem itself, but
the way we see the problem.
 Train yourself to see problems as opportunities
and to turn problems into opportunities and your
life will improve in a way that will surprise you,
and enliven both you and the people you care
about.
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15.  Problem as Krsna’s test
 Problem as blessing
 Akincana Gocara
 Dina Bandhu
 Deal with problems in the mode of goodness
 Expect the best but be ready for anything
 Think before you speak
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17.  Although Arjuna was putting forward so many
arguments based on knowledge of the principles of
religion and moral codes, it appears that he was
unable to solve his real problem without the help
of the spiritual master, Lord Sri Krsna. Bg 2.8
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18.  Therefore, if we want to curb lamentation for good,
then we have to take shelter of Krsna, as Arjuna is
seeking to do. So Arjuna asked Krsna to solve his
problem definitely, and that is the way of Krsna
consciousness. Bg 2.8
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19.  Therefore, directly understanding the
constitutional position of the soul is the solution of
the whole problem. Bg 3.42
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20.  With intelligence one has to seek out the
constitutional position of the soul and then
engage the mind always in Krsna consciousness.
That solves the whole problem. Bg 3.42
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21.  Being an associate of Lord Krsna, Arjuna was
above all ignorance, but Arjuna was put into
ignorance on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra just to
question Lord Krsna about the problems of life
so that the Lord could explain them for the benefit
of future generations of human beings and chalk
out the plan of life. Then man could act
accordingly and perfect the mission of human life.
Bg Introduction
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22.  If one adopts the principles enunciated in
Bhagavad-gita, he can make his life perfect and
make a permanent solution to all the problems of
life. This is the sum and substance of the entire
Bhagavad-gita. Bg Introduction
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23.  Who is the man in material perplexities? It is he
who does not understand the problems of life. In
the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (3.8.10) the
perplexed man is described as follows: yo va etad
aksaram gargy aviditvasmal lokat praiti sa
krpanah. "He is a miserly man who does not solve
the problems of life as a human and who thus
quits this world like the cats and dogs, without
understanding the science of self-realization.“ Bg
2.7
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24.  This human form of life is a most valuable asset
for the living entity who can utilize it for solving
the problems of life; therefore, one who does not
utilize this opportunity properly is a miser. On the
other hand, there is the brahmana, or he who is
intelligent enough to utilize this body to solve all
the problems of life. Ya etad aksaram gargi
viditvasmal lokat praiti sa brahmanah. Bg 2.7
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25.  Academic knowledge, scholarship, high position,
etc., are all useless in solving the problems of life;
help can be given only by a spiritual master like
Krsna. Therefore, the conclusion is that a spiritual
master who is one hundred percent Krsna
conscious is the bona fide spiritual master, for he
can solve the problems of life. Lord Caitanya said
that one who is master in the science of Krsna
consciousness, regardless of his social position, is
the real spiritual master. Bg 2.8
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26.  The problems of material existence -- birth, old
age, disease and death -- cannot be counteracted
by accumulation of wealth and economic
development. In many parts of the world there are
states which are replete with all facilities of life,
which are full of wealth and economically
developed, yet the problems of material existence
are still present. Bg 2.8
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27.  They are seeking peace in different ways, but
they can achieve real happiness only if they
consult Krsna, or the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-
Bhagavatam -- which constitute the science of
Krsna -- through the bona fide representative of
Krsna, the man in Krsna consciousness. Bg 2.8
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28.  The path of religion, or the different kinds of
sacrifice recommended above, automatically
solves our economic problems. By performance of
yajna we can have enough food, enough milk, etc.
-- even if there is a so-called increase of population.
Bg 4.31
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29.  There are different grades of material comforts in
different heavenly planets, and in all cases there is
immense happiness for persons engaged in
different kinds of yajna. But the highest kind of
happiness that a man can achieve is to be
promoted to the spiritual planets by practice of
Krsna consciousness. A life of Krsna
consciousness is therefore the solution to all the
problems of material existence. Bg 4.31
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30.  Those who are not actually philosophers,
scientists, educators, administrators, etc., but who
pose themselves as such for material gain, do not
accept the plan or path of the Supreme Lord. They
have no idea of God; they simply manufacture
their own worldly plans and consequently
complicate the problems of material existence in
their vain attempts to solve them. Because
material energy (nature) is so powerful, it can
resist the unauthorized plans of the atheists and
baffle the knowledge of "planning commissions.“
Bg 7.15
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31.  No one should remain in this temporary world,
full as it is with miseries. Everyone should attach
himself to the bosom of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead so that he can be eternally happy. The
devotional service of the Supreme Lord is the
only process by which all problems of all classes
of men can be solved. Everyone should therefore
take to Krsna consciousness and make his life
perfect. Bg 9.33
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32.  A devotee of Krsna is friendly to everyone.
Therefore it is said here that he has no enemy
(nirvairah). How is this? A devotee situated in
Krsna consciousness knows that only devotional
service to Krsna can relieve a person from all the
problems of life. He has personal experience of
this, and therefore he wants to introduce this
system, Krsna consciousness, into human society.
Bg 11.55
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33.  A Krsna conscious person knows that if a man is
suffering it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal
relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest
benefit one can render to human society is
relieving one's neighbor from all material
problems. In such a way, a pure devotee is
engaged in the service of the Lord. Now, we can
imagine how merciful Krsna is to those engaged in
His service, risking everything for Him. Bg 11.55
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34.  While one is performing devotional service in the
association of pure devotees in full Krsna
consciousness, there are certain things which
require to be vanquished altogether. The most
important thing one has to surmount is weakness
of the heart. Bg 15.20
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35.  The first falldown is caused by the desire to lord it
over material nature. Thus one gives up the
transcendental loving service of the Supreme Lord.
The second weakness of the heart is that as one
increases the propensity to lord it over material
nature, he becomes attached to matter and the
possession of matter. The problems of material
existence are due to these weaknesses of the
heart. Bg 15.20
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36.  In this chapter the first five verses describe the
process of freeing oneself from these weaknesses
of heart, ... Bg 15.20
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37.  Bg 15.1 - The Supreme Personality of Godhead
said: It is said that there is an imperishable banyan
tree that has its roots upward and its branches
down and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One
who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas.
 Bg 15.2 - The branches of this tree extend
downward and upward, nourished by the three
modes of material nature. The twigs are the objects
of the senses. This tree also has roots going down,
and these are bound to the fruitive actions of
human society.
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38.  Bg 15.3-4 - The real form of this tree cannot be
perceived in this world. No one can understand
where it ends, where it begins, or where its
foundation is. But with determination one must
cut down this strongly rooted tree with the
weapon of detachment. Thereafter, one must seek
that place from which, having gone, one never
returns, and there surrender to that Supreme
Personality of Godhead from whom everything
began and from whom everything has extended
since time immemorial.
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39.  Bg 15.5 - Those who are free from false prestige,
illusion and false association, who understand the
eternal, who are done with material lust, who are
freed from the dualities of happiness and distress,
and who, unbewildered, know how to surrender
unto the Supreme Person attain to that eternal
kingdom.
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41.  First, approach the problem with the expectant
attitude that there is a logical practical solution just
waiting to be found. Be relaxed, calm, confident
and clear in your mind.
 Second, change your language from negative to
positive. Instead of the word “problem,” use the
word “situation.”
 Problem is a negative word while situation is a
neutral word.
 “We have an interesting situation”, is better than,
“We have a problem.”
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42.  The third step is to define the situation clearly, in
writing. “Exactly what is the situation?”
 Then ask, “What else is the situation?” Sometimes
stating the problem in different words makes it much
easier to solve.
 Meeting people is very important. Network at every
opportunity.
 Fully 50% of situations can be resolved by accurate
definition.
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43.  Step number four is to, ask “What are all the possible
causes of this situation?” Failure to identify the causes
or reasons for the situation often causes you to have to
solve it again and again.
 Fully 25% or more of situations can be effectively dealt
with by discovering the correct causes.
 Step number five is to ask, “What are all the possible
solutions?”
 Write out as many solutions or answers to the situation
as possible before moving on. The quantity of possible
solutions usually determines the quality of the solution
chosen.
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44.  Step number six is to “Make a clear decision.”
Usually any decision is better than none.
 Step number seven is to “Assign clear
responsibility for carrying out the decision and
then set a deadline for completion and review.”
 Remember, a decision without a deadline is just a
fruitless discussion.
 Finally, step number eight is to follow-up, monitor
the decision, compare actual results with expected
results and then generate new solutions and new
courses of action.
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45.  First, state the problem clearly, in writing, so that
you know exactly what it is that you are trying to
solve. Ask, “What else is the problem?”
 Second, develop as many solutions as you possibly
can, including doing nothing, before you make a
decision. Quality of ideas is in direct proportion to
the quantity that you generate.
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47.  Your ability to communicate is the most important
skill you can develop to get on to the fast track in
your career.
 Perhaps the most important thing you do in life or
work is to solve problems and make decisions,
both by yourself and with other people.
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48.  A major type of communication in the
organizations is meetings for problem solving and
decision making.
 The key to effective problem solving and decision
making discussions is to go through the process
systematically.
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49.  Right at the beginning, you ask the question,
"What exactly is the problem?" Clarity of definition
will resolve 50% of the issues before they go any
further.
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50.  When discussing a problem, be sure to focus on the
future over the past.
 Ask the question, "Where do we go from here?" "What
do we do from here?" "What are our options for the
future?"
 Too many problem-solving discussions end up
focusing all of the attention of all the people present on
what happened in the past and who is to blame.
 The effective leader uses this type of communication to
focus on where the company and the individuals are
going, and what can happen in the future - the only
part of the equation over which anyone has any
control. 50

51.  A second element in effective problem solving
communications, is to talk about the solutions
instead of talking about the problems.
 Keep the attention of the individuals in the
meeting focused on the possible solutions and
what can be done rather than what has already
happened.
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52.  The discussion of solutions is inherently positive,
uplifting and has a tendency to release creativity
amongst the group.
 A discussion of problems is inherently negative,
demotivating and tends to inhibit creativity.
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53.  You can become a positive thinker simply by
becoming a solution-oriented person rather than a
problem-oriented person.
 If you get everyone in your organization thinking
and talking in terms of solutions, you will be
astonished at the quality and quantity of ideas that
will emerge.
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54. Two things you can immediately do to become a better
problem solver and decision maker.
 First, take some time to be absolutely clear about the
problem that is under discussion. Give some thought to
what an ideal decision or solution would accomplish.
Instead of focusing on the situation as it is, talk about
the situation as you would like it to be.
 Second, keep the conversation focused on solutions, on
what can be done in the future. The more you think
and talk about solutions, the more positive and creative
everyone will be and the better ideas you will come up
with.
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