How much time do you spend solving everyone else's problems? At one of my workshops when we were looking at how to save time with unnecessary interruptions from other team members... one of the business owners said he tells his team "do not bring me problems, bring me solutions".

What he meant by this is whenever they come in to see him with a problem or face a challenging situation, they must also provide at least two solutions.

This makes them use their own initiative and not push the responsibility back on the owner.

Let's face it, we all have a lazy streak in us, some more than others. If you have a problem and know people who willingly solve them for you, you can often look for the easiest way out and without even bothering to come up with a viable solution, automatically seek that person out.

When clients ask me what do I think or what should they do about a particular situation, I'll automatically say to them "what do you think you should do?"If they respond with "I don't know" I always say to them "What would you do if you did know?" That almost always works and they provide the solution.

This works extremely well with your kids. When my son or daughter come to me looking for a solution, the first thing I say is "what do you think?" or "what do you believe you should do?".

So if you're constantly in the habit of being interrupted by others and solving their problems, the next time it happens, ask that person to provide a couple of solutions before you jump in with one.

Lorraine Pirihi is the founder of productivityqueen.com and creator of “The Productivity and Profit System” the complete one-on-one training program for solopreneurs and small businesses.

Lorraine is also the celebrated author of “The Productivity and Profit Home Study System” which helps you to easily organize your time, your marketing, your people and your systems so you are much more profitable and have time to enjoy life. This is available at www.productivityqueen.com Online Store.

Lorraine is a productivity expert, leading business coach, author and speaker. She’s known for her practical approach, combining a unique blend of innovative, straight-shooter, no-fluff strategies that really work. Being in her own business for over a decade she is committed to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs work less, earn more and have a life!

She is a well known and respected expert on showing small business owners how to free up their time, organise their systems and their marketing so they make more money and enjoy more time off.