When we’re IN a problem, we can never solve it as creatively, elegantly or efficiently as when we’re not. We’re just too heavily associated with the problem … and the thinking that created it.

We’ve all experienced such moments of stuckness. Probably as recently as today. Or even right now! And our tendency is to (try to!) think our way out of the problem.

But that strategy rarely works. The brain is wired to strengthen the circuits that get attention. Put another way: problem-level thinking only finds more problems. Which is why we can’t solve problems with the same thinking that created it.

The first piece of learning to embed from this brain-based insight: is to build the habit of noticing the failing strategy of attempting to think our way OUT of the problem.

The second piece of learning is to add 2 strategies to our brain-based toolkit:

(1) CHANGE-UP THE ENVIRONMENT, by relocating to a different part of the house or office, going for a walk, talking to someone who has no emotional charge about the problem. Anything that “breaks the state” that accompanies your problem-level thinking.

(2) ELEVATE THE THINKING, up and out of those “problem circuits” with a simple question: “What’s the goal?” Get fully associated with the outcome, its virtues, what it’ll lead to and how things will be different as a result. Switch on your Vision Thinking.

Only now, should you look afresh at the “problem” – if, indeed, it still is one.

a final coaching prompt to take into your week: “Am I IN the problem I’m trying to solve?”

Thanks for reading!

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