Making Problems Bigger or Better

Every day we work on finding solutions for our “problems.” We focus on the issue and explore how we can change it. Sometimes, we ponder all day, “What else can I do to “fix” my problem?” And typically, we talk a lot about the problems we want remedy.

Before we go further, remember: “Whatever we focus on grows stronger.” Addressing problems and working on improving is important…and, by doing this we can make it BIGGER or BETTER.

Let me illustrate this concept on two specific examples:

1. One of my clients was struggling to grow her business.

Every day she told herself, “I need to get more clients”… ”What else can I do to get more clients?” When people asked her how her business is doing, she would answer right away “It’s okay, BUT I need more clients.” While taking action is crucial, her focus was on the lack of clients. She saw herself as unsuccessful, started to feel overwhelmed and lost her confidence. I asked her to reframe it to focus on:

a) The success and the clients she already has

b) To tell herself, “What actions can I take to get even more clients?” Or, “How can I enroll even more clients?”

2. This concept is very powerful also for your sports performance. I work with many equestrians and they are working on improving the quality of their riding and relationship with their horses. For example, one of my clients had problems getting his horse to consistently jump medium sized jumps. He was always thinking, “What do I need to do to make sure my horse jumps every time?” He was thinking that his horse would stop before the jump and it made him feel uncomfortable, unbalanced and honestly a little bit afraid. When people asked him about his riding and his horse, he responded, “We are making good progress, BUT my horse does not jump consistently.”

When he thought about the problem, his body right away reacted. He got tense, stopped breathing and started to worry a bit. Although he wanted to find solutions, his focus on the problem made it bigger.

I asked him to visualize his horse jumping each time, creating an affirmation he can say quiet or aloud, like “I feel so confident, my horse is jumping every jump” or, “I find solutions to make it easier for my horse to jump every jump.” In the last affirmation, he incorporated the actions he wants to take AND he kept envisioning the success rather than the failure.

The Solution

What can you learn on these examples? Whatever is on your mind creates an image, a feeling and your body reacts accordingly. With all of that, we will make the problem BIGGER and whatever we focus on grows stronger.

How can you use this concept to achieve success, increase confidence and performance? Follow the steps outlines here:

1. Think about a problem and write down the outcome you want (the opposite of your problem, for example, being busy with many more clients or my horse is jumping every jump).
2. Create a positive affirmation (your desired outcome) and tell yourself the positive statement 10x during the day ALOUD and create that image in your mind.
3. Use reminders of your desired outcome with little notes, writing it in your journal, and/or use images/photos.
4. Pay attention to your body’s response. You will start to believe it and feel your body is responding to it.
5. Remember, whatever we focus on grows stronger.
6. Now, further improve what you are working on while focusing on the desired outcome and taking actions.

Contact me if you’d like to learn more Mind Strategies? for Success – Work, Sports & Life.