This post is written by Rell DeShaw from the Government of Canada.

  • The problem: Sometimes you just have no idea where to start to understand an issue or solve a problem.
  • Why it matters: No one expects you to have all the answers but you will want an array of strategies to help pull you through.
  • The solution: If you go back to first principles and keep an open mind about accessing creative solutions, you may find what you need.

I recently took a course where I wanted to do well but felt behind the eight-ball from the get-go.

My performance on the course was solid in the end and the experience gave me a chance to reflect on what worked. I realised that having a few strategies in your toolkit to help you advance is useful to remind you that you are smarter than you think.

To start: Gather information but don’t try to drink the ocean

It seems difficult to believe that the internet was created only in 1983. That said, when you are trying to get up to speed on something, its creation may feel like a curse because it is overwhelming to find specific information. Yet your existing skills at finding credible information are already solid - just lean in (but not too far).

You can start by:

  • Finding a few recent key materials including annual reports, departmental plans, recent speeches from the Minister, budget documents etc; and
  • Doing a small survey of other relevant material. As an example, an advocacy body putting out white papers criticising government policy is a good stakeholder perspective.

As important though it is to consider ‘time boxing’ your research or putting yourself on a ‘research diet’. It may be better to do an outline with your material with limited research so that you can then figure out where to focus your research efforts. You don’t want your strength in research to become a weakness.

Remember that you are already resourceful and will be able to advance with some strategies.

Now narrow: Once you have material, decide how to hit your marks

In many cases, you already have some information and you need to figure out what is most important.

In my course, I received lots of good material and in the mix, I received an evaluation grid on which I could focus to help me understand how to deliver my final presentation. It ended up being my checklist to support my planning. Similarly, my friend was an award-winning chef and won two silver medals in ‘Gold Medal Plates’ in Canada due in part to studying the judging criteria and adapting her plates accordingly.

Some other examples:

  • In job processes, the job poster is your roadmap. What competencies are they evaluating? If you’re not sure how they are defined, find a competency guide like this one from my department.
  • When writing a memo, find a template. Maybe there is even an explanatory version that explains how certain sections should be constructed as well as page limits, approvals needed etc. Check out this excellent document about converting research to policy which has an appendix with a template for a policy brief in it that supports you down to how many words you should include in each section.

Still stuck? Now what?

So maybe you are really stuck and none of the usual strategies are working. Maybe you are trying to research a group that doesn’t share its information widely or you have to do a presentation on a truly novel concept. You will still be able to get the ball rolling if you keep an open mind and get a bit creative. Here are a few other ideas that may support you when you are feeling at a loss:

  • See if you can borrow from another industry best practice (e.g., I just applied to renew my Ontario health card and driver’s licence at the same time - what can we bundle?)
  • See what other countries are up to (e.g., did you know that 99% of Estonia’s public services are available online 24/7?).
  • Consider non-work settings for inspiration (e.g., what did you do as football team captain or head of your condo board?).
  • Don’t forget that you can ask for help; just be strategic with the time you request from your colleagues. Ask them to confirm what you know, point you to key products and people or ask them to help you get a view of the whole board.
  • Like the idea above to ‘timebox’, embrace your constraints - sometimes it will bring your blood pressure down to remember that you only have a page or two to write. Even better, many people believe that accepting your constraints will even lead to more creative solutions.
  • When you feel you may have lost your way due to nerves, fatigue, overwhelm etc., you may wish to re-read the brief.
  • If you are flailing, you may want to stop working on your problem even for just a bit, switch gears to something else that will relax your mind in a way that occupies your brain in a different way and let your subconscious mind chew on things.
  • When you are really stuck, just jot something down to get started - remember that “all good things must begin”.

We’ve all been stuck in starting gear or hit a wall on a problem we are trying to solve. No need to panic or consider walking away. Remember that you are already resourceful and will be able to advance with some strategies.

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