Is there a problem you're trying to solve, a challenge you're trying to overcome, a goal you're striving to achieve, or an opportunity you're trying to take advantage of? Sure there is, and for most of us, it's all of those things.

Stop for a minute, a bring of those things to mind -- the problem, the challenge, the goal or the opportunity -- and take these FOUR STEPS:

1. Clearly define your DESIRED OUTCOME. What EXACTLY is the problem, the challenge, the goal or the opporunity?

2. Locate a Role Model. WHO do know who has successfullly dealt with this issue? If no one comes to mind, HOW can you identify someone who has successfully dealt with the issue? Who can you ask that might know someone? Look around at work colleagues, leadership team members, members of clubs or organization you're involved in -- ask and observe. Find "that somebody" (or two ... or three) who has successfully dealt with this issue.

3. Meet with the Role Model(s). Dig in, ask questions and understand WHAT IT IS that they do or have done to successfully solve a similar problem, overcome a similar challenge, achieve a similar goal, or take advantage of a similar opportunity. Take notes and distill it down to a SIMPLE set of actions -- 'cause usually that's all it is.

4. Employ the Copycat Principle. Know DO THOSE SAME things. Refine or fine-tune the actions as necessary but replicate, duplicate, and COPY SUCCESS.

Why "recreate the wheel?" Focus on the solution .... the problem has already been solved, the challenge has already been overcome, the goal has been achieved and the opportunity has been realized before. Find out what the successful DOERS have already done .... and DO IT!