Why Not You? Tackling Big Problems Head-On

Something’s been on my mind—solving big problems. 🧠

We face tons of challenges today, and sometimes it feels like nobody is stepping up to solve them. Let me give you one example, and I think I can speak for all of us on this one… but first, a story.

A couple of weeks ago I was doing some Amazon returns, from our Prime Day purchase binge, in our local Kohl’s store. First of all, it’s brilliant that they accept Amazon returns because I’m pretty sure a high percentage of people also end up buying something on their way out.

So I return the items and walk toward the exit and I notice the door is propped and there are two guys grabbing every single backpack they can get their hands on. It’s obvious, this is organized retail theft. 

Nobody said a word, security was nowhere to be found and the cashiers are just watching them.

So I guess this is where we’re at… ⚠️

Anybody can walk into any store,
take whatever they want without paying
and walk out without fear of any repercussions.

I know the situation is complex. I know there are politics at play and things to consider. I know it’s better for big business to take the loss rather than risk a confrontation, injury, lawsuit or fatality. I get that, and…

Maybe I should’ve been in law enforcement or maybe I’m just a dude who’s seen too many movies, but when I see that stuff, I ask myself…

Somebody needs to do something… why not me? ❓

I can recount other similar situations where I did something:

• I caught a guy snatching a purse at a basketball game, told him I knew the girl and he gave me the purse and said sorry.
  
• I ran after a golf cart that was stolen from my middle school, the kid jumped out and I chased him all the way to his house and reported his address to the authorities.
  
• I saw two people leave a grocery store with stolen goods, get into a car and drive away… so naturally, I followed them, got their plates and came back to the store to report where they had stopped and their plate number.

So what did I do this time?

Well, taking into account my family and other responsibilities, I was not going to get into some kind of physical altercation, but I also can’t just drive away.

So, I took pictures and I followed them, because they left on foot. They walked boldly for 5 minutes across one major street and into a neighborhood where they hoped into a car.

In fact, here they are:

… in the parking lot at Kohls.

… crossing Blackstone Ave.

… the car and plates. The website doesn’t work, the phone number is not googleable
and I’m pretty sure the plate is fake.

And Yes, I went back to Kohl’s and gave them all of this information.

If tech is good enough to send me a ticket when I cross the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge, shouldn’t we be able to use facial recognition to send these guys an invoice for their theft? And when it goes unpaid, bring a legal suit to recover the cost of the stolen goods?

Ok, maybe I’m not the best person to solve this on a macro level, afterall, I’m busy providing support to your dreams!

But…

Retail theft is just one example of a problem that seems insurmountable, but maybe it’s not. There are countless other issues in our world that need attention and you might just be the person to solve it.

The question is, why not you? Why can’t you be the one to tackle these big problems? And this is actually a great place to start, if you haven’t found your passion, vision or Dream!

Here’s a simple framework on how to get started solving big problems:

1. Identify Your Passion ❤️
   What’s that one problem that keeps you up at night? The issue that you feel deeply about? Identify it, and let that passion drive you to find solutions.
   
2. Leverage Your Skills 🛠️
   You have unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that can make a difference. Leverage what you know and seek out the knowledge you need to address the problem.
   
3. Build a Network 🌐
   You don’t have to do it alone. Build a network of like-minded individuals who share your vision. Collaboration and collective effort can amplify your impact.
   
4. Start Small, Think Big 🌱
   Big problems can feel overwhelming, but remember that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant change. Start with manageable steps and scale your efforts over time.

We all know it, the world is full of big problems waiting to be solved. The key is to ask yourself, “Why not me?” and take that first step toward being the solution.

So, what’s the big problem you’re passionate about? Why can’t you be the one to solve it? Let’s challenge ourselves to think bigger and act boldly.

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