Problems.

We’ve all got them.

If you’re in my age bracket, then you’ve probably reached 1 or more quarterlife crisis‘, as you attempt to navigate through a world that becomes more and more unclear with every step you take.

This is the game that moves as you play

I’ve run into more than a few snags over the past, let’s say, 10 years of my life. False starts, bad jobs, bad relationships, etc etc. But the truth is, like most people, I was flying blind. There wasn’t enough STRATEGY behind what I was doing. All of the people I’ve come to admire are able to plan and execute strategies.

Let me preface this with the following:

In the past, my brain would be considered OVERWHELMINGLY dominated by the right.

Read about Left VS Right Brain

Over the past few years, I’ve needed to train THE OTHER side of my brain. To work it out, if you will.

And it was here that I made a breakthrough regarding problem solving.

It goes like this:

When faced with a problem, be it physical/emotional, tangible/intangible, the gears begin to turn to attempt to solve the problem.

This is USUALLY done with some sort of logic.

At some point, I hit a barrier that prevents me from being able to solve the problem. For whatever reason, I am unable to solve the problem (perhaps, because the problem does not follow traditional logical models?)

Once a barrier has been reached, there are two clear results. First, an emotional response begins (anger, frustration, apathy, whatever.) Then, the same logical system that attempted to solve the problem cycles back around. Information is gathered and the logical mind attempts to solve the problem again. Here, I drew a picture:

This model can be applied on a macro and micro level in my life. For example:

Jim wants a new pair of shoes (problem identified). He plans on buying the shoes, so he saves up his money and heads to the local department store to purchase them (logical response). However, when he gets there, the clerk informs him that they are no longer carrying that particular brand (barrier). Jim gets slightly frustrated (emotional response) but after mulling things over (regrouping) decides to attempt to buy the shoes online on Amazon (logical response.)

Each time someone is faced with a problem and can’t work it out logically, the emotional response becomes stronger. You’ve essentially told yourself, “This problem is big enough for me to <insert emotional response here> over.”

The problem is, at some point, you will wear yourself out. You will become emotionally drained.

Now, here’s the best way I’ve found to break the cycle:

1. Leave it alone. For a day, a week, even a month. Sometimes, you can’t solve a problem right away.

2. Break it down into smaller problems.

The bigger the problem is, the more intimidating it is. Smaller problems can be managed.

3. Your logic might suck.

Talk to your closest friends, advisors, parents, whatever. They may come up with something you haven’t considered.

4. A seemingly illogical answer may be what you need.

I’ve been practicing taking a step back and looking at each problem I run into with this approach. It’s helped me identify flaws in my own logic and, more importantly, when to let something go. It’s work, but so far it’s been worth it.