Tweet

Would You Trade Your Problems

Written by: Rachelle Disbennett-Lee

Article Overview: Often we look at other people and think that they don’t have problems. However, we never know what is really going on in someone else’s life. When you look behind the scenes of someone’s life, you realize that your problems are not all that bad.

Would You Trade Your Problems

Everyone has problems. It doesn’t matter who you are, your station in life, how old or young you are -- you have problems. Often we look at other people and think that they don’t have problems. However, we never know what is really going on in someone else’s life. When you look behind the scenes of someone’s life, you realize that your problems are not all that bad.


It seems that no one is immune to the human condition of having problems. Lately, I have been putting my own problems into perspective by noticing the problems of others and asking myself, “Would you trade your problems for theirs?” So far the answer has always been no. I would not want to deal with the challenges and adversity that so many people face. In a recent newsletter from Cheryl Richardson, best-selling author, she recounted a conversation she was having with a friend. She was sharing the problems she was having building her new home. Her friend listened, and then told her that the types of problems she was having were “first world problems.” That struck me, first world problems. And it is so true. The problems so many of us have are not life or death issues; we don’t have to worry about getting clean water, having sanitation or having enough food to eat. When compared with what the rest of the people in the world deal with, our problems seem very manageable.


My uncle was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and given less than three months to live. When I heard the news, I realized he had a problem that will be solved, although the solution is a grim one. There is really nothing he can do except put his affairs in order and get complete. I realized that all my problems have solutions that will not have such a final ending. Given the chance, I would not trade problems with my uncle.


I am learning to embrace my problems. Given the chance, I would not trade problems with anyone else. Looking around at what so many others have to endure, I feel blessed to have the problems I have. When you are feeling overwhelmed by your own problems, take the opportunity to notice the problems other people are facing and ask yourself, “Would I trade problems with them?” This will help you put your problems into perspective.

Related Articles
  Protecting Your Business Name
  How to Sell Franchises at Trade Shows
  3.0 Global Development Challenges for Africa in 2006: Economic Report on Africa 2007
  4.4 References: Economic Report on Africa 2007
  Global Trade and its Barriers

Article Tags: adversity, challenges, cheryl richardson, clean water, death issues, less than three months, perspective, sanitation, terminal cancer



Related Forum Posts
Re: You can now trade stock with your twitter account - A nice idea for active traders who don't mind having their trades in the public domain. The biggest drawback seems to be that you still have to go into e-Trade to complete the transaction. That removes what I thought would be the biggest advantage of stock-trading via Twitter - the ability to trade quickly and instantaneously while on the go... On the other hand, having to confirm trades on e-Trade does mean that you can pull out of a deal if you have second thoughts!
What is your selling statigies? - We currently deal with Hospitals, school boards and engineering firms. In the pass we have cold called made appointments and presented our product. We are now thinking of approaching sales in the way of Trade shows. What is your approach? Do you do trade shows?
Trade fairs relevant for established business - A trade fair is not necessarily the medium for introducing our company and its affairs. Trade fair participation is usually for companies who are already established in business and these companies find this opportunity to showcase their new innovations to existing range and fresh introductions in their product lines. Also some new client relationships are established thru walk in meetings - for established companies its a part of their marketing budget expenditure and research and development cost so its not a waste of money and effort.
Entrepreneurs come up with "The Big Idea" - A question we have been asked more than once recently, by both aspiring entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship researchers, is: How do entrepreneurs come up with "The Big Idea"? The most recent case was an MBA student who really wanted to become an entrepreneur but felt he could never come up with a "big idea". Well, in our experience the reality is that most successful entrepreneurs didn't think they were going to come up with a big idea either! Our advice to this MBA was straightforward. Don't look for big ideas, look for problems that need solving. Problems are a much easier starting point and act as a focus for creativity and innovation - providing you can be passionate about it and are prepared to devote an obsessive level of attention to the important details. At our core we are all resourceful, creative creatures once we have a problem in front of us. Ideally the problems that you should seek should be in an area where you have experience / expertise. That will help ensure you really understand the problem and increase the likelihood of you being able to formulate an intelligent and practical solution, incorporating the potential for a competitive advantage. Virtually all the ventures we know arose out of dissatisfaction with the current state of things. Viewing innovation and entrepreneurship as the process of identifying problems, devising potential solutions and then implementing those solutions is often more useful and productive as a perspective.
Re: STARBUCK - Licensing vs Joint venture - [quote="bmueller47":czemqiul]I often come here to learn something, therefore I would like to know what is the real practical difference between licensing and franchising. I might have an answer, but you are at the forefront with your knowledge.[/quote:czemqiul] Very good question. Although I am not an attorney, I will do my best to highlight what I believe are the main differences between franchising and licensing. First, here in the US, franchising is very regulated buy the Federal Trade Commission. Not anyone can franchise, you have to go through various steps. Licensing doesn't come with as much regulation. The franchisee can expect to have a very close relationship with his franchisor. In most cases, the franchisor will offer training, and on-going support. The franchisee will be able to use the franchisor's copyrights, trademarks, logo and so on. The franchisee is like the public face of the franchisor. This is I think the high value of franchising. Also, a franchise agreement will most likely define territories. The relationship between the licensee and the licensing company is much looser. In most cases, the licensee won't be able to retain the rights to trademarks, company name, etc and will have to establish his own identity in the marketplace. Licensees rarely get a protected territory which means you next door neighbor could be your competitor... Obviously, franchising is more expensive than licensing because you get a certain "safety". Again, franchising is highly regulated whereas licensing is not. There are many other differences between franchising and licensing but I think these are the main ones.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

How to Ask for a Flexible Work Arrangement

••••••>SEO Tip Of The Day: HTML Validation

Is the iPad useful? One CEO tells all ....

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.