“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”
— Albert Einstein
Today it feels that life and work are a consistent and at times overwhelming flow of problems. What is a problem? A problem is two opposing forces that cause confusion, unpredictability, frustrations and stops. Though the size of the problem may vary from a traffic jam that makes one miss an important meeting to a sudden shift in tariffs or taxes that delays one’s plan for global expansion, these are still problems.
One can assume the perspective that one’s problem was caused by someone else, some other source other than oneself. Or the perspective that problems have always plagued you, that luck is not on your side. Or perhaps that every problem was made by another for their own profit and prestige, follow the money is a catchy cliché but doesn’t obliterate the problem. Or worst of all, one can slip into a 90 proof liquid ‘solution’ every evening with the hope that in the morning both the headache and problem are gone.
Now let’s see how Einstein’s theory that ‘significant problems cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them’ can apply to better the conditions many of us are facing.
Whoa.. did Einstein say that we created these problems? Was he really as smart as history has portrayed him? If so, then there goes the value of any victim mentality we had been grasping. Maybe slowly we can consider that we may have had a little influence on the problems we face. And maybe that problem was covering up a misappropriation of funds, or time, or efforts. Or maybe the boss likes being king on the mound and doesn’t delegate and empower his team due to unsubstantiated reasons like the youth lack work ethics, or only his thoughts are ‘right.’
I always find nature to provide a fresh insight when pondering challenging concepts. A star jasmine vine seeks to grow but requires the support of a solid object like a fence, a nearby tree, or a neighboring plant so it grows inch by inch accepting the solutions that are the nearest then moves from that to a stronger solution. The same would be for a clever spider who needs to capture its dinner but can’t drive to a nearby spider grocery store. Instead develops a web structure that would match the greatest engineered building man could design.
The secret … each of these life forms first doesn’t know that it ‘can’t be done.’ They have no concept that there is ‘no solution.’ They seek to survive; it is that simple. They create a solution that overrides potential problems. They don’t see challenges as problems, but merely potential elements of their solution. They persist simply because they want to.
We can learn from the humble spider. Take each problem or challenge and look at it as part of a new solution to your goal to survive. Bad economy. Bad relationship. Bad health. Change your thinking and the solution will appear.
We are here for you.
Gillian