It is cold here in Pennsylvania—eye-wateringly cold. Nevertheless, I just saw a happy, no ecstatic, dog wearing ski goggles. Head out a car window, ears flapping, in the frigid winter air. Something about this tickles me, probably because this unusual sight in my morning routine appeals to my problem-solving sensibilities.

There is a solution to every problem. Sometimes, it feels like there are unsolvable problems, but we often don’t have or like the possible solutions.

I imagine how this dog came to own ski goggles. Here’s the scenario: the little dog, we’ll call him Louie, loves riding in the car, especially with the window open, nose up, sniffing all the good smells. But when the weather gets cold, Louie’s eyes water so much that it is uncomfortable, which makes Louie sad and droopy, which makes Louie’s human sad and droopy. One day, Louie’s human goes skiing and experiences the magical properties of ski goggles and 💡Ah-Ha! Let’s see if the unhappy pup will wear ski goggles. Sure enough, Louie, with his new pair of ski goggles, transforms into a happy-car-riding-nose-in-the-fresh-air-year-round-pooch.

Who would have thought that ski goggles equal happiness? But they clearly do, which brings me back to my original premise: There is a solution for every problem. And there’s a business epiphany in this story, too (I know you were starting to get worried😉.)

Have you got a seemingly unsolvable problem? Here are a few ways to find unconventional solutions.

1. Look outside of your profession or industry. Has the finance profession or systems engineers already solved this problem? What about the beverage industry? Of course, these are just hypothetical, but there might be another profession or industry that’s solved a problem like yours.

2. Pose the problem to your subconscious and go about your life. You might find the solution the next time you look at, say, something like a pool noodle.

3. Look at all the people doing what you are doing, but not quite. For example, in my pursuit of becoming an engaging professional speaker, I learn from other performers. I read the blog of a professional musician. I listen to comedians’ podcasts. I watch magic acts, go to concerts, and spend more time watching street performers. It is interesting and helpful to analyze how other performers engage their audiences.

Do you have a problem to solve? Look for your next ski-goggle solution.