Problem-Solving is Addicting, What To Do Instead

You Can Solve Your Problems, and Still Not Be Any Closer to Your Goal

It’s easy to see ourselves and our lives as a series of problems to solve. Problem-solving might be the very thing preventing you from being effective.

The problems I found myself solving had the following themes:

• How can I make enough money so that I finally can have this or be that?
• Why do I always feel so anxious and discontent with my progress?
• How can I fix it, avoid it, make it go away?

There were also emails waiting for my response, tasks to get done, due dates to hit, and results to achieve.

I often found myself reacting instead of doing what mattered most.

This prevented me from truly creating the results I wanted to see.

You Can Solve Your Problems, And Still Not Be Any Closer to Your Goal

Spending my time reacting to problems, emails, and all the while trying to be more organized wasn’t getting me any closer to my goal.

Focusing on “getting my inbox to zero” wasn’t creating results. Reacting to everyone’s requests and expectations wasn’t moving anyone forward.

Real progress requires focused action toward creating a vision for the future. You are unlikely to realize your vision when you are stuck on the wheel of problem-solving.

I’m learning I have to let go of the problems if I’m to move forward.

The Problem with Problem-Solving

How often do you solve a problem for another new problem to come up the next day?

Obstacles and problems are what we see when we lose focus on what matters most.

Problem-solving can become addicting and turns into an endless loop. We find a problem, we solve a problem, and we enjoy the result. So, what do we do? We seek out more problems.

There may no longer be any important problems left, so we start to create new ones. It’s ludicrous but true!

I’m not proposing you ignore reality. Far from it.

Create Something New Instead of Circling Around the Same Old Problems

You can be self-aware of reality without judging it as a problem to solve.

The addiction to solving problems keeps us focused on the status quo. We keep circling around the same old problems striving for perfection.

How often do you point out problems without any ideas for what to create instead?

As you offer new ideas, new problems might arise.

But isn’t it better to create new problems rather than revisiting the same ones time and again?

Instead, be curious and look for the opportunity to move beyond the problems.

The Most Powerful Question You Can Ask Instead

What if instead of seeking out problems you start asking, “what results do I desire to create?”

This question creates a shift toward what’s ahead, where you desire to go, and how you can best get there.

Now, everything becomes feedback that informs your next step toward your vision. In this way, you’re creating something new rather than solving more problems.

So, pause right now set your intentions, and ask yourself this question:

What is the result I desire to create today?

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