Essays — 2018 · 2 min read · Translated from German
How we can use obstacles
The smart way to deal with problems.
Problems and challenges are events that represent an obstacle and a possible loss. They affect us personally, directly or indirectly.
Problems are not self-inflicted – at least not consciously.
Challenges are chosen consciously, by ourselves.
So a problem is merely a challenge we didn’t choose ourselves.
Choosing our situations ourselves seems to be very important to us. Often the illusion of choice is enough. It makes us feel up to the task and gives us at least some control at the beginning. A challenge whose course takes unforeseeable turns can therefore become a problem.
We see things from two different perspectives here. With a challenge, we look at the situation as an outsider – free of fear and in control. With problems, however, we automatically take on the role of the victim. Full of fear and already involved in the event, we start making decisions and try everything to get the situation under control.
That is also why it is so much easier for us to solve other people’s problems. When we are not directly affected, our perspective stays clear.
Being confronted with a problem puts our brain into a state of emergency. We act out of fear and uncertainty. Our decisions become short-sighted and less thought through. In this state we are less creative and overlook many options. Yet a problem can quickly become a challenge or an opportunity – if we consciously step in.
The trick is to take a step back: to put the problem aside for a short while and turn to something else. Something we are good at – a task or an undertaking that makes us feel on top of things. We have to take time to free ourselves from our fears and regain mental strength. Only then is the right moment to face the problem – except this time we have the chance to approach it as a challenge.
