Purposeful Problems - from Cheryl Richardson
"Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
A problem may cause a setback, hurt feelings, enormous amounts of frustration and stress, or feelings that are so overwhelming that it makes the situation appear insurmountable, but in the larger scheme of life, if you handle them right, they rarely cause irreparable damage.
Second, I've learned that where "things" are concerned, I'm better off spending my time and energy on the solution rather than rehashing the specifics of what happened.
Finally, the most important lesson of all has to do with finding the power in the problem - an opportunity for growth.
This week, when faced with a problem, use this simple recipe:
1. Stop! Take a step back and enjoy a deep breath. Remind yourself that your sanity and character are far more important than the situation at hand. Rant and rave if need be, stomp your feet, or vent to someone who cares, but do so for only five minutes. Then, move on to #2...
2. Ask yourself "What needs to happen to straighten this situation out with the least amount of damage to anyone?" If you're not sure of the answer, ask for feedback or ideas from others (even those not involved). Then, stay focused on dealing with the solution rather than the symptoms of the problem. What can you change?
3. Finally, look for the gold. What are you being challenged to learn or practice. Does your current problem require you to use a whole new level of creativity? Are you being given a chance to practice patience? Is there an opportunity for you to care more about people than getting the job done? How is this problem providing you with the perfect opportunity for the evolution of your soul?
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