Listing Your Problems

SO, I am practicing a new HABIT – ‘Listing my Problems’.

As Charles Kettering said – “A problem well stated is a problem half solved”. I feel my mind has the power to deceive me into feeling things that are not real – at work or at home; with colleagues or with family and friends; anywhere with anybody. And when I think a lot about my problems – (which I do until I find a solution or I have exhausted all possibilities) pretty soon I realize that it is the ONLY thing I am thinking about. Good? I will say NO!!

What do I do differently NOW? To let go of the mental clutter that all those thinking, rethinking creates – I list my worries on a piece of paper – like a task, a project – garnished with all valid information. This helps me to PUT MY PROBLEMS INTO PERSPECTIVE and tackle them in a methodical manner. When I write down all those problems and worries, I realize –

1.      Some of it disappear as maybe I just wanted to share it with someone and I did – with myself.

2.      About some – nothing can be done; so why worry as it will fade away eventually; It will trust me.

3.      And the remaining are the ones that need my attention and energy. BINGO!!

 And then I book time in my calendar to ‘sit and solve my problems’- and that will be my ONLY time during the day to think, rethink and be worried about those problems. I make an action plan and execute it like a task – making it more effective. Sounds difficult? Yes, it is. And that's the reason we need to practice, to make it a habit. It’s not impossible and it sure shows positive results

How is this helping??

1.      Less worried about everything as I know I have a scheduled MEETING with all the ‘listed problems.’

2.      My resources are collectively used for problems that can be solved.

3.      I feel more productive and can utilize my time for other priority projects.

And smart people say – Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it. Do YOU know what to do with all that never-ending worries and thinking?!

YES, LETS DO THIS!! LIST YOUR PROBLEMS.

 Credits - Who will cry when you die - Robin Sharma.