Tackling the unknown

How many times have we been presented with a situation that no one really has the answer to? Or a situation where what used to work, no longer applies? This is often the case in the startup world, or even an established business that finds itself in an industry that is suddenly evolving.

So what do you do when you approach the unknown? I will share 3 simple steps that worked for me and can be applied to almost any situation. Almost...

1. Evaluate the situation as best you can in a timely manner. The goal here to identify what is really needed to move forward successfully. Take a step back and pause, if only just for a moment. Sometimes we find that we have been looking at the situation all wrong, and the solution reveals itself at this step!

2. Consult with others. Something that is unknown to you, might not be unknown to your peers. I often find it very helpful to find someone that does NOT think like I do. They might catch something that I missed. You might be surprised by the things your peers know. Your peers don't have any insight for your current situation? Not a big deal in this day and age. In our current technological era we have access to a global knowledge base, from Google to Reddit, to specialized community boards. Use them wisely!

3. Decide. At some point a decision needs to be made. Take everything you were able to gather and make the best decision you can. You might have to utilize a makeshift solution. These can always be improved as time goes on. Sometimes trial and error is the best we can do, and that's ok. As long as you learn from each trial. Working at Apple Retail, there are many systems in place now; that came from us just trying something to fit an unknown situation.

The worse thing you can do, is give up, back down from the situation, or do nothing. Do anything but go backwards. When I look at the lives of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers, and countless others. I see many failures that amounted to great success. Persistence is key when tackling the unknown. Don't be afraid of the unknown. Become comfortable, being uncomfortable. Most importantly, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Those unorthodox thoughts often hold the best solutions for the unknown.