Thoughts for Success: Obsessing Over a Problem Doesn’t Solve It – Acting On It Does
Life and business are fraught with problems. The only way to dodge problems is to not participate in either – which, of course, is not possible as long as we’re breathing.
Since we can’t avoid problems, it pays to manage them like a pro. First, here’s what you don’t want to do – you don’t want to obsess over the problem. The mindset that obsesses is incapable of getting into solution-mode. So give yourself a finite time to stress and worry, then move on to identifying three solutions.
Finally, choose the solution that you believe has the highest probability of solving the problem. Then get moving on it. If that doesn’t work, repeat the process.
Problems are solved through acting on solutions, not by obsessing over the problem itself. Get off the problem and onto the solution. That is, if you really want to solve it.
One thought on “Thoughts for Success: Obsessing Over a Problem Doesn’t Solve It – Acting On It Does”
Vickie, I agree that hand-wringing by itself does nothing to move one forward. Sometimes, however, one needs an ‘obsessively’ narrow focus or very high degree of attention paid to something before feeling driven to do anything about it. In other words, we need to make one thing stand out from the myriad concerns we have, with not a single one being truly front and center, which in itself can cause us to just spin our wheels. So, gaining a heightened awareness as to one thing can be helpful, but of course, as you say, not just fretting time away without trying to address it. You also need to make sure your potential solutions are not premature and target the underlying causes of the problem, not just its symptoms. In this sense, rushing forward can be as counterproductive as endlessly procrastinating. Thank you.
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Vickie, I agree that hand-wringing by itself does nothing to move one forward. Sometimes, however, one needs an ‘obsessively’ narrow focus or very high degree of attention paid to something before feeling driven to do anything about it. In other words, we need to make one thing stand out from the myriad concerns we have, with not a single one being truly front and center, which in itself can cause us to just spin our wheels. So, gaining a heightened awareness as to one thing can be helpful, but of course, as you say, not just fretting time away without trying to address it. You also need to make sure your potential solutions are not premature and target the underlying causes of the problem, not just its symptoms. In this sense, rushing forward can be as counterproductive as endlessly procrastinating. Thank you.