Are you frustrated because there’s some area in your life you cannot improve, cannot get better, can’t make it happen? Welcome to the club. We’ve all been there, and it’s not a great place to be. Do you know what to DO when you “get stuck?”
The first step to solving a problem is to identify exactly what it is.
If your car stops and the fuel gauge is on empty, it’s not going to help to fill the radiator up with more water. You better get some gas. It’s the same thing in life except usually things are a little more complicated. Problem solving is done in stages like untying a bunch of knots. Until you untie the first knot, you often can’t tell where the second knot is. If you untie the second knot first, it doesn’t do you any good because the first knot is still tied.
Where’s the first place to look to solve your problem?
There may be a lot of things involved, but you won’t know what they are until you get the first obvious issues dealt with. The sooner you can get your mind off of what’s wrong and get it focused on how to get it fixed, the better.
You may not like the answer.
Many people stay frustrated their entire lives because they won’t face the first issue. It’s because the first place to look is at yourself.
You may not be the problem, but you’re where the solution has to begin. You can look other places for help, answers, and insight, but they’re not going to do you any good until you apply what you find out.
It’s really painful to admit that you are your first big barrier to deal with.
It’s because it’s so easy for us to lie to ourselves.
• You think you work hard but you don’t.
• You think you diet but you don’t.
• You think you exercise but not really.
• You think you deserve a promotion more than someone else but maybe you don’t.
Take an objective look and see if you can’t realize the answer.
If you look closely at the people that are ahead of you on the achievement ladder, look for clues for why they’re higher up than you.
Be honest:
• Maybe they do work harder.
• Maybe they are more focused.
• Maybe they don’t cut as many corners.
• Maybe they don’t waste as much time.
• Maybe they put a little more energy into their work.
If you look closely you can usually find the reason. Instead of excuses, try getting better. Maybe you’re not the problem, but it’s certainly worth a moment to examine yourself and make sure that the real reason you’re not improving is that you are lying to yourself.
Be your own biggest friend, not your biggest enemy.
Don’t kid yourself, most of your problems could be a whole lot smaller if you took charge and did everything you could to make them better.
