Focus on Solutions: How to Stop Spinning in Problems and Start Solving Them

Life has this sneaky way of throwing challenges at us like it’s testing our resilience on purpose. But what if I told you the real test isn’t in the problem itself—it’s in how long we stay stuck in it?

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, and I’ve seen its power transform lives, teams, and entire businesses. The truth is: you can either circle the drain of the problem, or you can climb out toward the solution. And solution-focused leadership—whether you're leading yourself, your home, or a multimillion-dollar company—is the bridge between survival and thriving.

Let’s dig in.

Choose Your Focus: Problem or Possibility?

When I work with leadership clients or speak on stage, one of the first things I ask is: Are you focused on the problem or the possibility? That might sound overly simplistic, but the answer often reveals everything.

Focusing on the problem keeps us stuck. It invites rumination, self-doubt, blame, and paralysis. It sounds like, “Why is this happening to me?” or “I just can’t figure this out.” And while yes—acknowledging the problem is important—it’s not where the magic happens.

The magic happens when we shift gears and ask, What’s one thing I can do about this right now?

Solution-oriented thinking isn’t toxic positivity. It doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff or pretending everything’s fine. It means asking better questions. Questions that open doors instead of keeping us trapped behind them.

This shift in mindset is foundational for solution-focused leadership, and it’s something we need to apply to ourselves before we expect it from others.

A Lesson in Resourcefulness: Watching My Mom Lead by Example

Growing up, I had the absolute gift of watching a real-life masterclass in problem-solving and grit. My mom was ahead of her time—running a transcription business from home long before remote work was even a concept. No internet, no automation, just a typewriter, stacks of medical journals, and a fierce commitment to making it work.

She didn’t wait for ideal circumstances. She created them.

Watching her build a business from our dining room table taught me this: you don’t need all the answers to start. You just need a willingness to get creative, take the next right step, and trust yourself in the process.

That’s not just true for entrepreneurs—it’s true for everyone. Teachers. Parents. Executives. Dreamers. If you want a different outcome, you’ve got to change the questions you’re asking. You've got to stop asking why and start asking how.

And that mindset—that belief that there is always a way forward—is one of the most powerful traits a leader can embody.

When the World Says “No,” Be the One Who Says “Now What?”

Let’s be honest: it’s easy to play the victim. It’s comfortable. It gives us something to blame when things don’t go our way. But it also robs us of our power.

And that’s where solution-based decision-making changes the game.

Instead of spiraling over what went wrong, ask:

What part of this is within my control?
What can I try that I haven’t tried yet?
Who can I ask for help?

This is true emotional intelligence in motion. It’s leadership under pressure. It’s choosing momentum over perfection, clarity over confusion, and growth over comfort.

This isn’t just about work either. Whether you’re overwhelmed at home, facing a financial crisis, navigating a health challenge, or feeling lost in a transition—solutions start with the belief that something else is possible.

So when the world throws a wrench in your plans, don’t just sit there holding the wrench. Use it.

The Final Shift

Here’s what I want you to take away from today’s blog:

You are not stuck because of the problem.
You’re stuck because of your focus.

If you shift your focus—even slightly—you’ll start to see possibilities where before there were only walls. You’ll remember that you are capable, creative, and worthy of a life that works for you. Not a version of success that drains you. One that fulfills you.

So today, ask yourself: