I recently posted on my Facebook page the very words from the above title:
“Acknowledge The Problem, But Live In The Solution.”
The basic idea is to put the focus on where it should be, while not ignoring the cause. One annoyance I have every so often with the world of personal development is that it can at times be a bit “politically correct.”
For example, we’ll often hear or read that we should simply ignore the negative; that which we don’t want. Well, I believe that while it’s terrific to think positive and focus on the positive, ignoring the negative is simply not productive. The reason is that…
“What is ignored, does NOT necessarily go away.”
Don’t get me wrong; as usual, there is a time and place for most everything. And there is indeed a time to ignore that which simply doesn’t serve. When that is appropriate then, by all means, do so. Ignore away!
But, “sticking one’s head in the sand” like an ostrich — thinking that not acknowledging what needs to be dealt with will automatically cause it to disappear — is counterproductive. And, that’s the best case. At worst, it will cause the issue to fester and grow bigger.
So, yes, note that there is a problem. Acknowledge that the problem is there. Next, devise a game plan for overcoming it — in other words, determine the solution. And then…focus on that solution. In other words, live in the solution.
How are you doing with this? And, what great examples have you seen of others who tend to do that very well?
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Sounds much like the ‘gist’ of my THE CONNECTION STATION Daily Dose this a.m. We are often the “enemy” that keeps us from the golden opportunities that await us. Only we can decide to honestly confront that which holds us back & overcome to victory. Or we continue to languish mired down in defeat & find a million excuses for why. Only honest introspection holds the answers & only strong determination will overcome!
And I agree completely. It’s not about ignoring the negative events or things that affect us; rather, it’s about moving people out of their story that they keep reliving and moving forward.
We can’t stew in our problems so long that they paralyze us from taking any action.
Love this post, Cousin Bob!
Great points. I love how you put it. Thank you, Cousin Bernie!
What about when the problem is sooo huge that is requires multiple solutions… I guess you have to prioritize your problems and the solutions then… and what about when you need millions of folks to hear you, how do you get their attention???
Sending Huggs and Blessings, you are the Ultimate Go-Giver 🙂
Laura, in that case we can definitely see why acknowledging the problem is so important. It’s only from that point the solution(s) can be formulated, and then realized! Hugs and blessing back at ya’, my friend!
Very true, Bob! Being and remaining positive shouldn’t include ignoring negative or potentially negative situations as they arise. It is much better to deal with issues and tackle them head on – BEFORE they explode into something much, much worse..
As always, your perspective on this is so wise. I’ve thankfully learned to NOT ignore the problem (that didn’t work!) but rather identify it. I’ve also learned that I can spend too much time in the “identifying stage” which can also be called the “complaining about it stage”. Once identified, shifting my focus to the solution, even if I don’t yet have a clue what the solution is, is very helpful. If I’m looking for the solution rather than AT the problem, I increase the likelihood of finding it.
Hi Bob, thank you for your post. I am currently absorbing The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and she mentions this too. We should take those negative thoughts, situations and events that we DON’T want in our lives and use them to better identify and focus on what it is that we DO want and steer our thinking back to the positive.
Right on, Bob. Another great perspective. You don’t want to focus on the problem, focus on the solution. That is being positive, I think! Ignoring the problem is called denial.
My Dear wise Bob, love your insight! & 🙂 I happily agree as usual! How I have learned to balance in this area is by praying about everything… Giving both positive & negative experiences & situations an opportunity to stretch me which helps me to grow. I’ve had many break throughs in character building & attitude shifts while facing somthing negative ‘dead on’ & manifesting a solution… Which turns out to be the exact experience I can tap again & again to empower others! 🙂 Had I chosen only to reject the negative & embrace the positive…I would have missed the life lessons that I believe also play a huge roll in forming us into people who truly care about others facing similar challenges in life. Good word, Cousin! 🙂 Love, Chaachi
True! But ignoring the negative, we ignore the effects of the problem. In the end we must find solutions or remove the thing that caused the negative. I think is, also, a matter of cause and effect.
Ignoring the Negative in life is liken to ignoring that water pipe leak, drip by drip it will end up causing damage to the walls, floors and all around it… Putting a bucket under the leak is only a Temporary fix, eventually overflowing- just delays the possible damage and causes more work around… Always best to go head first and solve the problem so it doesn’t grow larger… I think often the negative views often is a lack of communication and understanding, and once the seed is planted grows like a weed that turns into a wall- preventing two way positive communication…
Bob,
Wonderful!
Life changes for the better we we stop living in problems! Every successful leader I’ve met or talked with was realistically optimistic. Just love it.
Cheers,
Dan
Hi Bob. I deal with this issue almost everyday. People insist on doing (place a sport/activity here) when they are still in pain instead of resting for a day or two. They put on a brace or bandage around the painful area and expect to run the marathon. Rather than dealing with the cause of pain, they ignore it. Puts me in a dilemma sometimes on whether to answer their questions or not–client or no client. Thanks Bob. Sharing this with friends.
I often apply William Bridges work on transition when folks seem to be stuck on the problem, it can be a sign that they have not finished grieving losses or what they perceive they are giving up. I find when I apply the stages of transition, I start to empathize better, to listen better and then they ‘magically’ move on with me to reflection, new beginnings and solutions more effectively. People move thro the stages at different speeds and in different ways. Stopping to appreciate what clients are losing has helped facilitate clients thro to solutions multiple times. And sure, at times it is being blunt and reflecting back how stuck they appear to be. That can work too!
After the first couple of great comments I had a feeling there were going to be a lot of you sharing your wisdom so I decided that – rather than responding individually – I’d just learn from you while reading. I am so grateful for all your thoughts, comments and terrific teaching. I’ve read each of your comments (some of them several times) and will continue to do so. I believe your comments have really added such deeper dimensions to the original article, and I LOVE when that happens. Thank you. You are appreciated!!!!!
Just like Helen Antebi said, I feel that ignoring the negative, is like ignoring the mourning of a great loss. You have to cry first, in order to honor the pain of the loss, otherwise, you’re stuck.
I have a program that I teach my clients when they are at a crossroad: The I.C.T. Factor, which stands for Identify, Channelize, and Transform; then a well executed implementation plan gets into place.
Let’s remember that pain teaches us, while tears and crying, heal us.
Thanks for this post Bob, and for the opportunity to come play in your sandbox which now feels like mine:)
Very important topic. The most important questions to ask are: “Is this a real or perceived problem?” and “Is this problem likely to happen again or grow in size.”
Often when we deal with solutions to problems we deal with the symptom (top problem) and not the root cause (underlying problem). The root cause could be buried quite deep in some cases and you must deal with it by peeling back the layers like an onion by asking why repeatedly. The solutions will then reveal themselves. If we don’t do this we think we have a solution but the problems keep coming back and we get frustrated and ignore it or create bureaucracy to solve it.
Plannning, action, feedback and learning are an important cycle for improvement for self and business. Encourgae and embrace it.
The idea is not to FOCUS on the problem and live in the past but rather the solution and the future.
Thanks again for the great topics.
to piggy-back on comments by Helen and Ali R.: Sometimes the first step to living in the solution is to turn on the faucet and if need be, call a plumber:-)
Spot-On, Marcia! ♥
Yes! This is a great post. Approaching problems as they arise is really a positive response to a negative situation.