Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Where Do I Go From Here?



Einstein once said, "You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created the problem".  In other words, whatever your problem is, you need to think in a completely different way in order to find a solution to it.  Wise words, yet how does one 'think differently' in order to find a solution?

We've all been there at some point in our life.  That place where we look around and think "I'm stuck", "this isn't working", "nothing's changing" and we wonder where do we go from here?  

In our minds we have tried everything, done everything we could think of to shift things, to change what isn't working in our lives, yet our problem persists.  What more could we possibly do?  What haven't we tried?  We feel lost and a sense of hopelessness begins to invade our senses, followed by thoughts of "it's always going to be like this....nothing will ever change".  It's here where we feel trapped, stuck and bewildered that no matter what we try, it doesn't change our situation.

This is what Einstein was referring to.  This is the pattern where we are using the same mind that created the problem to find the solution and of course, that won't work.  Solution is found when we are able to look objectively at our "problem", step out of the emotion of it and see it through different eyes.  If it was someone else's problem, what advice would we offer?  What resources (people, things, places) are needed?  Have we asked for help?  Have we honestly listened to the advice/suggestions of others or have we dismissed their ideas because we don't want to do what they suggest, not because it's not a good idea, but because it's not what we want to do?

When we are stuck, really stuck, all we can see is our problem.  Like the saying 'You can't see the forest for the trees' we become so focused on the problem that everywhere we look it is all we see.  One cannot see the big picture if one's attention is focused solely on a single detail.  We need to be able to break our focus on our problem (the detail) and look at the bigger picture, to become open to other sources of information, assistance, wisdom.  To be able to say "I'll do whatever it takes" and mean it instead of saying "I'll do anything...but not that!"  

Often it is the thing we don't want to do which is the one thing we need to do in order to move from problem into solution.  When we resist what we know is needed, then the result is the problem persists.  

What limiting decisions or limiting beliefs are you holding on to that stop you from seeing and thinking about the problem differently?  Are past experiences and patterns playing a role in this problem?  Perhaps it's time to consider finding someone to help you change your thinking, clean up your past and release those old patterns of behaviour that are sabotaging you rather than serving you.

In order to find solution, you must first think differently; and while some people are able to do this on their own, the majority need someone to help them.  Invest your time, money and energy and find someone who will guide you through the process so you can finally breakthrough the problem, find solution, and transform your life.  

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