How to Solve Life’s Big Problems
A Challenge to Shift to A Positive Mindset
“Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit.” ~ M. Scott Peck
We all have problems. Period. The sooner we admit this to ourselves, the easier it will be to resolve them. When we stay oblivious to the problems and refuse to acknowledge them, we are allowing the problems(and the trauma around it) to become wounds/scars on our psyche.
There is no shame is having problems and issues in our lives. We are all works in progress.
Sometimes, these problems eat away at our soul and render us lifeless in the process if we let them. But if you are living from your heart, you ‘Know’ at some point that ‘enough is enough’. There is just so much control you can allow your problem to have over you…at some point you need to put an end to it.
Today, I would like to present you with an interesting positive challenge. Not only will this challenge help you prioritize which problem needs your focus immediately, but it will also empower you to be more YOU.
What is a Problem really?
By dictionary definition a problem is a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.
Yikes! Who wants those? No one in their right mind really asks for problems, but they do arise. It’s an undeniable fact.
The Problem Mindset & The Solution Mindset
I remember in school, math used to be a hard subject for me in the higher grades. Not because it was “hard” but because it had a Problem and Solution mindset attached to it. Till I can’t find the solution to the problem, I don’t ‘get’ the topic or the marks in the exam. So the barometer to my intelligence at that point lay in my ability to solve the problem. I spent the better of my life in the hard zone, where problems needed solutions and they needed to come super fast.
But life is not that simple. The solutions don’t come as fast as they come in math problems. Sometimes, the problems we have are not even apparent to us. And sometimes we can feel like its too late to even find a solution.
But don’t worry. There is hope!
Problem Solving Is Easier Than You Think
“Problem solving in life is really not that difficult”…A fact that I realized much much later on in life. It’s a doable thing and makes our life so much easier when we can live in the solution mindset rather than the problem mindset.
Negative people usually live in the problem mindset, while the positive ones thrive in the solution mindset.
I have discovered that the more I dwell on the problem, the harder it becomes to find a solution. But when I focus on the solution it rapidly pushes me in a positive space where I have let go of agitation and worry(emotions often associated with problems) and I feel more productive and open-minded to find a solution.
Below I share with you a very simple way you too can become a solution mindset person. Its a simple positive challenge, that will rapidly increase your levels of productivity and happiness. I have been using this to solve problems for so many years now. Never in vain.
The Problem Solving Positive Challenge:
- Notice at what point in your day or in a situation are you completely uncomfortable-physically, emotionally, spiritually uncomfortable. Write it down in a notepad in your handbag or cell phone.
- Continue the noticing and writing part for at-least 5–7 days. You will notice a pattern emerging. This pattern is where you need to focus on to find the solution.
- Once you have made a note of these points in your day or the situation in your life, then tell yourself this positive affirmation whenever you feel that uncomfortable feeling coming up : “I am in complete control. I am calm and problem free.” Say this affirmation 5 times while in the uncomfortable situation. Take 5 deep breaths with each affirmation.
Why is this a challenge?
Because noticing that you are IN a problem is half the battle won. Many times we go about our days wondering whats wrong and how to solve whats going on around us. But, we fail to acknowledge our SELF that’s suffocating under the pressure of the problem. The suffocating self can never be solution driven. Hence, when we remove the pressure, we find the solution.
This problem noticing and affirming challenge will help you to:
- think more clearly.
- focus on the positive.
- put YOU in control, not your problem.
- solve any problematic or uncomfortable situation with calm & ease.
- solutions will ‘come’ to you naturally. You won’t need to force them.
So go ahead and start today!
I like to think of my problems as jigsaw puzzles, that makes them fun to solve for me.
***Now its your turn: What do you think of this challenge? Are you gonna be up to taking this challenge? I’m here to help you heal, so bring on your thoughts, questions, queries…whatever you need to ask. Share in the comments below.***
With Love, Zeenat.
Zeenat Merchant Syal is a Practicing Counseling Psychologist & Spiritual Counselor. She writes on Healing the Mind, Heart & Soul through Positivity on Positive Provocations & offers Online Counseling there too.
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*A version of this post originally appeared on www.PositiveProvocations.com*