When life throws us challenges, it is common for many of us to cope by spending our time and energy focusing solely on the problem - dissecting it, worrying about it, predicting worse case scenario options,reliving its history and turning its related negative thoughts and feelings around and around in our minds. Unfortunately, the typical result of these negative energy investments is that the problem does not improve and may in fact be compounded by the increased worry and growing anxiety this generates. There is an alternative. By adopting a more resourceful style of thinking, almost any problem can be re-framed or "flipped" into potential options, action plans and even solutions. The way to do this is actually quite simple: when you catch yourself thinking about a problem you are experiencing, start by just naming your problem - it might be something common such as "I have too much debt" or "I smoke/drink/eat too much". At this point, stop yourself, and do not continue to focus your thoughts on the problem, as this will,most definitely, put you further into an unresourceful place. Instead, re-frame the problem statement into what you would ideally like to have/be/do instead: "I want financial freedom" or " I want to live a healthy lifestyle". By simply flipping what you already know you don't want into what you do want instead, you are already employing a very powerful solution focused thinking strategy and putting yourself into a more resourceful place as you switch your focus from problem to possibility. The idea is that whatever you form as a visual picture in your mind becomes the template for what you will consciously and unconsciously support and and work towards.
Once you have formed the image in your mind of what it is you want, you can then go further by asking yourself some very simple "resource-based" follow up questions, guaranteed to move you closer to a solution. These are:
1. What aspects of this situation are within my control? (Hint: there is always something, even if very small that we can control)
2. What resources are available to me right now? ( e.g. people, information, skills, past methods of dealing with similar issues)
3. What are my options? (list all of them that come to mind - even if they seem far fetched - these might lead to even more ideas)
4.What is one simple step I can take right now that will move me towards my goal? (sometimes just taking one step can open new doors to possibility you didn't even know were there)
It takes time to change our habitual thinking and well worn behaviour patterns, but by consciously switching your focus from problems to solutions on even small every day issues and dilemmas, it will quickly become more and more a part of your natural way of thinking, being and acting and you will be able to approach life's challenges in a more effective and resourceful way.
