Throughout life, there is no shortage of problems. And we must seek solutions. But sometimes, we get stuck in the process. We can spend hours, days, or even weeks mulling over the situation, wondering what we would do if the circumstances were different or if only we could have more information or be more certain.
This type of thinking creates a false sense of progress, when in reality we are just procrastinating. We may have found a reasonable or even ideal solution, but if we cannot put it into practice, it will be completely useless.
The question we must ask ourselves when faced with a solution
Is it feasible?
This is the first distinction we must make before moving forward with any solution we may come up with, because if we cannot translate our plans into action, they will be of little use to us.
A solution is feasible when two factors come together:
- The conditions exist to implement it and, in addition,
- We want or can implement it
Therefore, we must first ensure that the minimum conditions exist to carry out our idea, since if the wind blows completely against us, it will be quite difficult to move forward.
On the other hand, we must make sure that we have the capacity to implement that solution and the strength to carry it through. If a solution does not convince us or we are not able to carry it through, it is better to discard it.
We must also be aware that there are only two possible answers: yes or no. If we hesitate or have doubts, the answer is “no.” Perhaps in the future, when circumstances change, that solution will be viable, but right now it is not, so we must look in another direction or wait, if possible and sensible.
From paralysis to action
Passing the solutions to the problems that afflict us through these two filters will allow us to move forward, instead of getting stuck in options that are not practical and that often only serve to give us vain illusions while the underlying difficulty continues to grow.
However, the cost of not making that distinction is quite high. Not only do we increase the likelihood of turning things around, with the resulting mental strain that this entails, but we can also move further and further away from reality and, therefore, from the solution.
To avoid this, it is a good idea to define the final result we want because when we know where we want to go, we can clarify the path. Then, simply ask yourself if that result is objective and if you have the strength to follow that path. If any of the points are not clear, simply discard the solution and move on to the next one.
When we make a plan and start taking action, worries often fade away because our minds are no longer tied to finding a solution. When we are busy, we don’t need to worry anymore.
It’s easy to get lost in analyzing complicated solutions that seem perfect in our minds but don’t fit reality or require such a huge effort that they don’t pay off. Sometimes we obsess over the “perfect” alternatives, ignoring that the simplest answers are often the most effective. Sometimes, we just need to recognize that we don’t need a perfect solution, but an actionable solution. Starting with what we can do today can be the first step to solving problems that we’ve been dragging around for a long time.
