We are solution-seekers by nature. When you're hungry, you get food. When you're thirsty, you get a drink. When you're tired, you go to sleep. When something hurts, you try to stop the pain. When something feels good, you try to make it last. Your brain is wired to seek solutions.
You have interests, priorities, and goals. You face frictions, challenges, and obstacles. Every day you engage in solution-seeking to advance your interests, overcome the obstacles you meet, and reduce unnecessary friction.
Two common mistakes we make when seeking and choosing solutions:
- Picking the new, exciting solution instead of the simple one that works.
- Sticking with the old solution that doesn't work because it’s familiar.
Both mistakes happen because we choose solutions based on feelings, not reliability and results. We emotionally justify a solution, not because it works, but because of how it feels to choose that solution.
People who are always changing to new solutions do it because it makes them feel smart and special. People who stick with old solutions that don't work do it because these solutions feel safe and familiar.
We are solution-seekers by nature, but we are emotional by nature, too.
When you seek and choose solutions, remember to ask the question that matters most: Does this work, and will it produce the result I want?
Event + Response = Outcome. Do the work.
Share your thoughts