‘Let the problem solve us’ means going deeper, asking how and why the problem occurred and what we can learn from it. It means letting the problem teach us, not just how we can change our policies and procedures to reduce future probability but also standing outside ourselves, going to the balcony, looking in the mirror and considering how our attitudes, mindset or perspectives might have contributed and how flexing them might help.
‘Let the problem solve us’ is about adding a huge component of curiosity to our control orientation: What can I learn from this? How might it reshape my priorities, assumptions, or values? What does this issue/conflict/problem have to teach me? WHY is it a problem? What would resolution look like? From my point of view AND from all others involved? Would I agree with them if I were in their shoes? How would release, emotional or actual, or greater patience impact things? Sometimes the easiest way to solve a problem is to stop participating in it.
We all love getting things off our desk, solving problems, myself foremost! There is definitely a sense of release/accomplishment/satisfaction in finishing our check list. ‘Letting the problem solve us’ requires we become comfortable being uncomfortable long enough to find the opportunity that lies inside every problem and ask and answer: “How can I use this situation to grow? To be a better me? What is useful about this? What is interesting about it? What is the next step higher for me?”
Closing Quotes:
“The problem contains the solution.” – Michael Bierut, b. 1957
“We don’t solve our problems, we outgrow them.” – Carl Jung, 1875-1961
“Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” – Uri Levine, b. 1965, co-founder Waze
“Every problem is a gift. Without them we wouldn’t grow” – Tony Robbins, b. 1960, Unlimited Power, Awaken the Giant Within
“A difficult relationship might teach us patience. Instead of asking, ‘How do I fix this person?’ we might ask, ‘What is this conflict asking of me?’” – ChatGBT4o
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
Note: Every effort has been made to properly source any 3rd person material. I am, however, a voracious reader. If anyone finds any unattributed material, pls let me know asap and I will be delighted to give credit where credit is due.
“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832