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The Big Idea Catalyst /America's Leading Authority on Optimum Performance
Chatsworth, California
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Why Problem Solving Doesn't Work in the New Era

Recently I’ve discovered that in order to achieve a certain type of success I’ve had to stop focusing on solving the problem and surrender into it.
Written Apr 23, 2012, read 1211 times since then.
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Once in a while I run into a paradox in life – when in order to achieve something I have to do what feels like the total opposite.

Recently I’ve discovered that in order to achieve a certain type of success I’ve had to stop focusing on solving the problem and surrender into it.

Now the first time this concept was revealed to me I rejected it completely. I had up to that point defined much of my success on my innate ability to see a problem, find all the possible ways to solve it, pick the best solution and get into action. I am a problem solver!

So if my next level of success is based on NOT solving problems, what on earth will people want from me then? And how do you move through a situation you do not want if you don’t solve a problem?

This was a real mind-bender for me!

So of course, I kept doing what I always did – finding ways to solve the problem.

Guess what, the problem came back. This time in a more painful way.

I heard the advice again, “Melanie, when you focus on the problem you give energy to it. What if you just focus on the outcome you deeply desire.”

Ok, I think I’m getting this now. Focus on what I DO want. In this case what I wanted was to feel liberated – I imagined what it might be like to have the feeling of peace, total bliss and to know that everything I might need was taken care of without me having to strategize, figure it out or solve a problem.

Ten minutes later my brain has contorted back into how to fix the problem but what had shifted was my awareness. I deeply realized that many of us when faced with a new way to create our desired outcomes get frustrated – it’s new, it’s scary, its foreign and it’s just a heck of a lot easier to slide back into our old ways of getting things done. At least we feel like there is movement – even it if takes longer to get there, right?

My new self had an epiphany – as we enter into this new era of entrepreneurship we have to trust the unknown to get to a new level of success. We can’t keep sliding back into the comfort zone where we know what to do. Its time to say yes to new strategies and release the old paradigm approach that often results in short term wins at the expense of a long term pay off.

So this problem you have is actually an opportunity. It’s a fork in the road. Instead of worrying, ruminating and trying desperately to fix it, what if you acknowledged the situation, surrender to understanding the opportunity in it, and focus on what you ideally do want? Then claim that?

Sound too hard? It might be. That’s OK if its where you are at. But remember, struggling to solve a problem just creates more drama, chaos and negative energy in your life.

How about we try it out, just this once. What have you got to lose, right? I’d love to hear what you “opportunity” is and what you truly desire. Post your comments below....

The Big Idea Catalyst /America's Leading Authority on Optimum Performance Chatsworth, California Melanie Benson Strick

Melanie Benson Strick, America’s Leading Authority on Optimum Performance, helps fast-paced entrepreneurs re-energize their results. Get the free resource at http://www.successconnections.com.

Melanie Benson Strick

Learn more about the author, Melanie Benson Strick.

Comment on this article

  • Writing & Publishing Coach, Business & Marketing Consultant Bellevue, Washington Deborah Drake
    Posted by Deborah Drake, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 24, 2012

    Melanie,

    So here is what I love about this article: It applies to every area of our lives, of which business is but one part.

    You speak of the "new Self." There are many versions of our "selves" aren't there.

    One person I follow has a Theory, based on her journey to self-awareness, self-realization and how she evolved to a peaceful place (fleeting as that sense of peace may be).

    She suggests we have a Natural Sense of Self that if not given space and time to become fully realized, is replaced by a Substitute Sense of Self. And some even have a Lack of Sense of Self which means they live to do for others first.

    http://healthysenseofself.com

    We/I need a healthy sense of self to get things done efficiently and to our/my satisfaction.

    Fear and Hesitation and Sabotaging our best made plans is not what a confident version of ourselves would choose. And problems are opportunities, definitely.

    This dialogue of how to achieve and transcend the fearful moments and be courageous has been going on for a long while and I for one have adopted the strategy of surrendering rather than fighting having my way, when apparently I am not going to get it.

    Usually means something better is behind it...

    And as I cultivate being a better "witness" of my own thoughts and actions, I see that I am more than the "Self" I think I am...and I must go through the moments of panic and chaos to become more whole as a person--who is by choice an entrepreneur.

    I'd love my daughter to suggest this topic for Philosophical Chairs in her 6th grade Language Arts Class. And then, I'd love to be a fly on her wall.

    It would be nice to say that

  • The Big Idea Catalyst /America's Leading Authority on Optimum Performance Chatsworth, California Melanie Benson Strick
    Posted by Melanie Benson Strick, Chatsworth, California | Apr 24, 2012

    Awesome input you've brought to the discussion Deborah. I'd also like to be a fly on the wall for a 6th grade discussion of self. Thanks for sharing your thoughts around this too.

    Melanie Benson Strick
  • Writing & Publishing Coach, Business & Marketing Consultant Bellevue, Washington Deborah Drake
    Posted by Deborah Drake, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 24, 2012

    Appreciate your article Melanie and hope that others weigh in for it is our thoughts that create our reality...

    And so thinking the good ones makes the most sense...

    Cheers.

  • Graphic Designer Issaquah, Washington Kevin O'Conner
    Posted by Kevin O'Conner, Issaquah, Washington | Apr 25, 2012

    Amen! And I think too many folks define their work as "problem solving". In my experience, problem solving is a diversion, something you have to do in order to get back to the thing you want to be focused on.

  • Marketing Assistant/Social Media Coordinator Gastonia, North Carolina Annastacia Tooke
    Posted by Annastacia Tooke, Gastonia, North Carolina | Apr 26, 2012

    I really like that part about looking at what you want the outcome to be rather than focusing on the problem.

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