Problem-Solving or Problem-Creating?

As someone who has spent a significant part of my career studying financial behavior and exploring the mechanics of success, I've observed a paradoxical phenomenon that frequently obstructs our path to victory. People who identify as problem-solvers often end up creating more problems for themselves, without realizing the vicious cycle they've entered. This article dissects this self-defeating pattern and sheds light on how we can transition from problem-creators to genuine problem-solvers.

A Problem-Creator in Disguise

When I ask a room full of clients, business leaders, and peers if they see themselves as problem-solvers, a forest of hands rises without fail. This initial self-identification isn't the issue—it's what comes next. You see, when our identities are so deeply tied to problem-solving, we can unknowingly start generating problems just to feed our need to solve them. Unintentionally, we spiral into a vortex of self-created problems, exerting the most amount of effort and not moving closer to our real goals.

Consider this example from a recent vacation I took. The resort had a strict first-come, first-served policy for reserving pool chairs—once claimed, the chair had to be "active" every hour, or it would be released to someone else. Some guests woke early to reserve their chairs, vigilantly guarding their spots, while others simply relaxed and enjoyed their vacations. The problem-solvers were in the first group, so preoccupied with the problem of securing a chair that they missed out on the joys of a leisurely vacation.

The Real Cost of Problem-Creating

Being wrapped up in an endless loop of self-created problems takes a heavy toll. Not only does it distract us from what we genuinely want, but it also fuels anxiety, enhancing the sense of powerlessness. Remember, anxiety equals uncertainty multiplied by powerlessness. To reduce anxiety, we must boost certainty and minimize powerlessness.

The Journey Towards Genuine Problem-Solving

The first step is to acknowledge that what we want will change, and we must create a dynamic system that can adapt. Rather than trying to "get it right" by constructing an inflexible image of what we desire now and forever, we should aim to develop an agile mindset that allows for evolution.

We must also address the sense of powerlessness that most of us feel at some point. This requires tools that recognize our biases and a strong, uncompromising hold on our identities. I call this playing your own game. It's about acknowledging our unique abilities and talents, and refusing to conform to the average.

Conclusion

In essence, becoming a genuine problem-solver involves a significant shift in mindset. It requires us to step away from the cycle of creating unnecessary problems for ourselves and instead focus on the critical issues that will bring us closer to our goals. By doing this, we can reduce anxiety, embrace change, and ensure that we're truly solving problems rather than creating them. This way, we can stride confidently closer to the things we really want and Rig the Game in our favor.

Pause and Reflect

• Have you ever found yourself creating problems just to have something to solve? 

• How do you think the need to solve problems is tied to our identities? 

• How can we break free from the cycle of creating unnecessary problems for ourselves?

• How can we better discern between problems that need solving and self-created problems that merely distract us from our goals?