Problem Solving vs Goal Realizing

During my education I wrote an application letter for an internship pointing out my problem solving skills. The reply was short: "we don't have problems". At that time my mindset was such that I only could laugh; who doesn't have problems to solve?
Later when working for the A. Goldratt Institute in The Hague I became interested in how NLP would fit in the ideas of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and in particular the Thinking Processes and MSW.

When I confronted the TOC-community with the question whether TOC is problem-solving or goal-realizing, all chose problems-solving. Interesting to note, the break-through of TOC was the book called The Goal. One of the first steps in the Thinking Processes is to define the goal and how to measure it. This is very similar to Lean or Six Sigma.

One of the NLP things that struck me was that if you focus on something you will create a perpetual situation. Let me explain. In relation to problem solving it would mean that you will create an ongoing situation where problems must be solved; e.g. self-fulfilling profecy of ongoing problem solving. NLP therefore tends to focus on what one wants to achieve, rather than what one doesn't want. So rather saying that you're good in problem solving (which is a 'negative' thing), you would say that you're good in goal realizing (which is a 'good' thing).

Problem solving vs goal realizing, two sides of the same coin? Semantics?

Because if you solve all your problems, you achieve your goal. Or, what blocks you from your goal are problems that must be solved.

Well, for some time I thought this as well. However, then I came in a stage of life thinking of a serious relationship and having a family. Slowly it started to dawn on me. The best way to solve problems is by preventing them. The amount and depth of problems I would encounter with having a serious relationship would go up. They would sky rocket by having a family. So, the problem-solving strategy would be not to start a relatinship and have a family. Yet, this would create a situation that would seriously limit, block would be a better word, the achievement of my goal.

Of course the above example is my own personal one. Other people have different goals and different requirements. However, I feel most can relate to the above personal example and possibly see a similar situation for themselves. It is quite possible, sometimes necessary, to create additional problems in order to achieve your goals. Equally, it is quite possible, very often I presume now, that you can solve most if not all of your problems and still be far away from achieving your goal.

So far most, if not all, the tools, methods, approaches or whatever that is usually associated with problem-solving that I learned and practised can be used for goal realizing. The key difference between problem-solving and goal realizing is not the skills and tools, it is the attitude and mindset. And, it makes all the difference. Both for myself and my customers.

Goal-realizing means stepping outside the seemingly obvious. Finding out what is really being pursued and ensuring that this is being realized. It also means that the rapport you create with the customer is based on what the customer finds important. And, if you are your own 'customer', this is even more important.

Intended or not, that short reply I got "we don't have problems" triggered a very nice understanding many years later.