Tag: problems

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Problems Can Be Fractals

Sometimes it feels like De Ja Vu

What is a fractal?

Fractal – a curve or geometric figure, each part of which has the same statistical character as the whole. Fractals are useful in modeling structures (such as eroded coastlines or snowflakes) in which similar patterns recur at progressively smaller scales, and in describing partly random or chaotic phenomena such as crystal growth, fluid turbulence, and galaxy formation.

To say it plainly, it’s when a piece of an object looks the same as an object.

Sometimes, our problems are fractals, meaning, this small problem is just the same as a larger one or the reverse. The good news is, if you solve one, you solve the other.

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Have You Tried Redefining It?

Have You Tried Redefining It-

There is always another way to look at it

What is impossible?

Everything we have now wasn’t possible at some point. This computer on which I am typing this post, the browser you are reading this on, and that text message coming in on your phone distracting you from this post all were once “impossible.”

So, what changed?

The problems definition changed. One day, someone decided to take a different approach than the one used by people who came before them.

It took an issue from impossible to possible, all in one moment.  All it took was a redefinition.

Impossible problems aren’t the only things that need reframing. 

Right now, there is insight in redefining “natural” problems too. 

In fact, sometimes the impossible comes from redefining the “simple.”

What does this mean? Well, at times there is gold right in front of us in the things we do every day.

All we have to do is look.

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What’s Stopping You?

What is it?

When you look at yourself in the mirror every morning, is there a nagging thought?

So, have you ever explored it?

If you haven’t, there is an opportunity each time you catch yourself going to that place.

Write it down.

Keep a notepad in your room and write that thought.

Don’t do anything else. Just write it down.

The thing about our mind is, that “thing” travels with us and inside of our mind all day. So, it hides among other thoughts, waiting for an opportune time to show up.

The idea can’t hide in the open.  Therefore, when you write, you snatch it’s hiding spot.

 

 

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You Can’t Run From Problems (or Fight…or Ignore…)

Fight or flight only stops you from finding solutions that work.

Quicksand scares me.

What is quicksand? Quicksand is loose, wet sand that yields easily to pressure and sucks in anything rests on it.

At first, you don’t notice, the quicksand drags your feet. You ignore it.

You’re trapped. 

There is nowhere to go. You’re stuck.

  • Running won’t get you out.In fact, running makes it worse.
  • You can’t ignore it anymore; ignoring got you in this mess. 
  • Fighting the facts won’t change the situation.

Sound familiar? It’s the same structure as most of our problems.

You don’t notice a problem at first. Then it nips at your heels. You ignore, run away or fight it.

Like quicksand, all of those things make the problem worse.

The solution to quicksand, like that of solving problems, is to understand your environment. Tactics, such as breathing, help slow you down. It allows you to take in more information. Information helps you craft solutions that matter.

Breathing allows you to take in more information. Information helps you craft solutions that matter.

If you allow yourself to default into fight or flight, you stop the flow of information and drastically drop the amount information you receive. That means your solution, if you get to one, isn’t ideal.

If you are wondering about the solution for quicksand, it’s simple.

Float.

Simple, right?

How many problems in your life are solvable by a simple solution?

You won’t know unless you slow down and face things as you see them.

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The Umbrella

When it rains, our first move – grab an umbrella. It keeps us dry and most of the time, that’s enough. The day begins or our nights aren’t ruined.

But, there are days where the rain is hitting us sideways. The wind is whipping and the umbrella is useless as a physical tool. On days like those, the only function of the umbrella is to make us feel better. Its only purpose is to get us outside and started with our day.

That umbrella doesn’t work when its sunny out, but a hat might.

There are times when we need a boost, a placebo, a magic charm to get in gear.  How much more powerful are you when you know which ones to use in any situation?

 

 

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Problems Create Success.

[bctt tweet=”Your problems are the key to your biggest insights.- Exponential Wisdom Podcast“]

Your problems are the key to your biggest insights – Exponential Wisdom Podcast

Wait…what?

Yes, problems create success.

That is the completely opposite way we generally view problems. In most cases, when you talk to people or when you talk to yourself about problems, you see them as what stops you from success.

That is the wrong way to look at it.

I am not saying problems don’t exist. Problems suck, and if problems didn’t make you pause for a second, either you live a charmed life or you are being delusional, neither of which help you move the needle.

The problem isn’t the problem (:-)) the problem is how you look at it.

The solution is mindset.

Mindset change is difficult, and I have problems with it. Old habits die-hard. New ones are tough to come by.  Too low expectations lead to no traction and too high expectations lead to excuses. But, when executed, changing your mindset leads to greater access to your self-awareness and potential.

(This blog is a place where I write-through my mindset change, among other things. Writing through it helps.)

Mindset is the key to seeing progress. I’ve noticed that it isn’t about how it happens, but how you take it. When you see problems as roadblocks they become just that.

By seeing problems not as roadblocks, but as markers, it changes the perspective from a binary stop and go to curiosity. Most of our interaction with the world comes from how we see it, instead of how it sees us. We move with our internal clock. So by changing the way we see it changes how we deal with and ultimately work with problems.

If you are able to take problems, break them down, and not just create solutions, but also prove an understanding of particular problems, then you are on the path to mastery. Curiosity often leaves you better than when you were before. Curiosity leads to experimentation. Experimentation leads to knowledge and then knowledge to true change.

Building my newsletter this week, and its hard. Each day I get a little closer with the design. I am launching on Sunday! 

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Cords and Problem Substitution

[bctt tweet=”Daniel Kahneman said when you have a hard question in front of you will substitute an easy one “]

I have two things that are top of mind on Monday.  Both make me curious.

  • I’ve been obsessed with cords. Mainly because I am not good with them. I don’t handle them well, I don’t put them away well, and I don’t keep them. So, they are often on my mind since I am constantly replacing them. One thing I have learned neither long or short cord is the best cord. A cords usefulness is relative to the job at hand.  If you have no purpose for a cord, a longer one is better, but know that you shorten its life dramatically due to wear and tear when putting where a short cord will do.  There are some life implications here.
  • I sat in bed for half and hour today. Now that I have been working on the sleep problem, I get up just fine. I think Daniel Kahneman once said when you have a hard question in front of you be weary because you will substitute an easy one if you aren’t careful. My late problem isn’t one of waking up. I don’t know what it is, but it deserves some serious cycles.

[bctt tweet=” A cords usefulness is relative to the job at hand.”]

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Minimize Mistakes Minimize Potential

Minimize mistakes. Most employers try to sell you that idea. It is a lot easier to avoid risk in the world today. Don’t rock the boat and your job appreciates you.  Rewarded for stable service when they know they can come to you. It’s easier for you too, no one will be yelling at you and you will never be called on.

The only problem with that narrative is that you chop your own ability at the knees. A lot of opportunity out there depends on risk, putting yourself out there, and risk is difficult.

If you fly close to the sun, you burn, that is the nature of life. But it doesn’t end there, you get stronger when healed. Get to your potential or you minimize yourself. The only thing you can depend on is that job letting you go when it is able.

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