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Volume 3, Number 2
03-03-00

Today's Salubrations is the last in a series of four consecutive editions on problem solving. In the last edition we examined a sequence of specific actions to take that dramatically increase the probability that the best solution to any given problem will be achieved. The point was made that the success of this strategy is based on the premise that the primary problem has been accurately identified. The following example will demonstrate a model for getting to the root of a problem and show why doing so is well worth the effort.

COACH TIM'S QUICK TIP — IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS

One of the most common New Year's resolutions involves losing weight. By this time of year many people find they are frustrated with their efforts to drop those unwanted pounds. If weight loss has been one of your nemeses this example on identifying problems will be especially poignant.

Let's say that candy is Tubby Tim's downfall, chocolate in general and M&M's in particular. Because it wouldn't be prudent to resolve to never eat an M&M again (total abstinence typically leads to food substitution or binge eating), Tim wisely decides to allow room in his dietary plan to enjoy a few M&M's on an occasional basis. So far, so good!

Tubby's most convenient time to go grocery shopping is on the way home from work since he passes right by the grocery store and shopping then allows him to save time that would be wasted in rush-hour traffic. Wise again! Tim shops carefully, selecting a variety of fresh foods that are low in sodium and saturated fats, and high in fiber, vitamin, and mineral content. Tubby Tim buys in bulk whenever possible, trying to be as conscientious about his monetary budget as he is about his calorie budget. Good for Tim! Proud of his efforts to improve his life on many fronts, Tubby feels good as he sashays up the candy isle to procure his much-deserved, occasional treat of M&M's.

The 1-pounder is the obvious choice because they're on sale, and just look at the savings per ounce over the smaller sized bags. Such a bargain! The only problem is that Tubby is so hungry now (he hasn't eaten a thing since that healthy salad at lunch six hours ago) that he finds himself struggling between the peanut and almond varieties. They both look so good that Tubby Tim decides to buy both. Hey, who knows when they will be at this price again? Besides, if I (oops, I mean Tubby) is only eating a few at a time they will last forever, which means fewer visits to the candy isle. Once again, well-reasoned thinking!

Tim arrives home and quickly puts the groceries away, leaving the M&M's out on the counter for a little TV treat later that night after he has a modest, healthy dinner. After dinner and doing the dishes it's finally "Miller time." As Tubby approaches the bags of M&M's, deciding which to open first, he has a brainstorm. There is that beautiful crystal candy jar in the cupboard that only comes out for the holidays. Why not mix both bags in the jar and put the jar on the coffee table in front of the sofa? That way the kind of M&M's he gets on any occasion will be a surprise. And think how pretty that jar will look with all the colors reflecting through it. It will make that "occasional" treat that much more rewarding when he enjoys them from that special jar. How cool is this?!?

Later that night as he watches an engaging suspense thriller Tubby Tim suddenly becomes aware that his stomach doesn't feel so good. He looks down to see that the pretty crystal candy jar in his lap, the one he has been mindlessly munching from, is now one-third empty. Yes, he just consumed 3 days worth of calories and one week's worth of fat grams! How did all of Tim's thoughtful planning and good intentions end up in such a disaster? Well, Tubby has blown it right, so why stop now? His disappointment and frustration leads him to throw down a few more handfuls until Tubby decides his stomach just can't take anymore sugar. So, here's the million-dollar question: Where is the real problem? What needs to be fixed? At what point in the sequence of events should he make a change?

The first step in approaching the problem is to realize that there was a defined sequence of events that led to the target behavior, over-indulging in M&M's. The second step, even before constructing the sequence, is to commit to discarding all the rationalizations and excuses, and to construct that sequence with integrity. That is, integrity with respect to the most important or primary goal. In this case, adhering to a defined dietary plan and losing some weight. It was not to save time or money or other secondary gains. Don't take this the wrong way, these are honorable goals as well. It's great to capitalize on a situation and make progress on secondary goals, but only to the extent that the primary goal is not threatened or compromised. If so, the outcome will likely be sabotaged as the above example so painfully shows. With that in mind, let's examine the sequence of events in the context of the primary goal: Tubby Tim ate too many M&M's because he unconsciously gobbled them down while watching TV. Tubby gobbled them down because he made them too attractive and too accessible. They were too accessible because he brought two pounds home and then he didn't put them away with the rest of the groceries. Finally, Tubby brought two pounds home with him because he went grocery shopping when he was famished.

Each one of these links in the chain of events represents an opportunity for intervention. If Tim started with the surface problem, eating M&M's while watching TV, he might work on staying conscious enough so as not too pick up that attractive jar and mindlessly gobble. It's easy to see that that plan has little chance of succeeding as a long-term strategy. The constant temptation of M&M's staring back at Tubby while he stares at the TV will eventually fatigue his resolve, and probably sooner than later. So, going back another link, we could leave the M&M's in their original bags and leave them on the kitchen counter, only carrying a small handful into the viewing room each night. Will this be a sure-fire solution? Probably not! (I can say from personal experience having been Tubby Tim at 65 pounds overweight before becoming Trim Tim and earning a black belt in karate! It wouldn't matter if the M&M's were on the kitchen counter, stashed away in the back of a cupboard, or in the deep freeze in the basement. Just knowing that they were in the house would be too much of a temptation for me. In fact, I did just that and quickly discovered that frozen Reese's cups and Kit-Kat's were a delightful change-up to the same old routine. Adding insult to injury, I rationalized that all those trips up and down the steps each night was actually helping me out! Out of sight is not necessarily out of mind - at least for me!)

Better to step back yet another link: what's the best way to avoid bringing more than one or two portions of M&M's into the home at any given time? That's it! Don't go shopping when hungry. And, no, it's not necessary to give up the convenience of shopping after work, even if it has been six hours since the last meal. A little creative brainstorming will provide lots of workable solutions. For example, by carrying a protein, fiber, or nutrition bar and a 16 ounce bottled water (or similar snack that fits his nutrition plan) in the car on days he plans to shop after work, Trim Tim can take the edge off his appetite while driving to the store. He goes home with one single-portion bag of M&M's that he can enjoy once each week between shopping trips.

Looking at this example it's readily apparent that eating too much candy is a behavior that starts long before Tim sits down to watch TV. It involves a long chain of behaviors, with each link in the chain representing an opportunity to make a change and make a difference. Now, here is the "quick tip," you have been so patiently waiting for:

The earlier in the behavior chain you make a change, the more likely you are to achieve the outcome desired.

Following this example, it requires much less time, energy, emotional investment, and "willpower" to avoid shopping when famished than it does to resist an attractively packaged, readily available, unlimited supply of candy while watching TV. Furthermore, if something should go awry with Trim Tim's plan to avoid shopping while hungry, there are several additional opportunities to get back on track before the point of no return is encountered.

COACH'S CHALLENGE:
The concept of the behavior chain can be applied to any thought, feeling, or behavior that you would like to change. What behavior has been your nemesis? What change have you been avoiding for too long? Rethink the problem from the behavior chain perspective and make a new game plan, then put that plan to action. Share your stories with me by using the contact information below. With your permission I may share your story (anonymously, if requested) as an inspiration to all our readers. Before you tackle your particular situation it may be helpful to review all four articles on problem solving, available in the Salubrations archives on my web site www.coachtim.com. As always, I am available for a free consultation if you have a question or need a "jump start."

BONUS TIP:
If you are really serious about success, plan a back-up strategy. For the example above, it's quite conceivable that a number of circumstances could find our health-conscious shopper at the store and hungry (e.g. Trim Tim ran out of nutrition bars or ran late in the morning and forgot to take one with him, etc.). Simply thinking it through and coming up with a back up plan for these situations could make the difference between success and failure. It could be as simple as resolving that if he were ever to arrive at the grocery store hungry for any reason, Trim Tim would go into the store, buy a banana and a single serving apple juice, go back out to the car to eat, and then go back in to do the shopping.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Tim Cline is a graduate of Coach University, and has earned the designation of Professional Certified Coach. He supports people in attaining what they really want out of life. From planning through completion, Tim coaches his clients to take the actions needed to reach their goals, achieve success, and to enjoy a true sense of fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. Tim coaches individuals and groups around the country via telephone.

Copyright 2000 by T. R. Cline. All rights reserved.