Problem Solving Super Power

Posted on by Wynne Leon

Problem-solving is my super power. That isn’t some humble brag – it’s an all out brag. 😊

I teach classes on problem-solving:

  • Note all the things could be contributing
  • Change one thing at a time and keep notes
  • Use the same test to see if it’s worked
  • Revert the change it didn’t work
  • Set a time to call it quits and ask for help

BAM. I’m done. Might be the shortest post ever from me.

Except, the years have taught me that my engineering brain doesn’t always see the full picture.

People are opportunities to open, not problems to be solved

When people come to me with a problem to solve, especially at work, I start in on breaking down the problem. It’s taken me years to realize I’m missing the opportunity to connect.

Sure, if there’s a fire to solve, we need to do it quickly. But some of the most incredible openings have come when I’ve hesitated to jump in and asked one more question to drive the conversation deeper. Like “why is that driving you crazy?”

I fail to see that I have a problem

I’ve written endlessly about my morning sacred time. I won’t belabor that point – I promise. But in the early pre-dawn hours, especially in the winter, I light my candles and then have to turn on a room light to read my meditation books. I prefer not to have the light on because I love the warm glow of the candles. But for the longest time, I didn’t identify this as a problem to solve and did nothing about it.

It wasn’t until I saw one of those little pocket devices made to be menu readers at a dark restaurant – a magnifying window with a light attached that I realized, I could just use the flashlight on my phone to read. Doh!

Some problems I don’t want to solve.

I haven’t talked with my sister in many years. She sued my brother about five years ago. Not terribly surprising since she’s a litigator and that’s her go-to toolset.

I spent some time and energy trying to help with the issue before the lawsuit but I haven’t tried to fix anything in the years since. I don’t have the energy to surf my sister’s waves right now. We see things so differently that conversations are hard. I don’t want to subject myself to her approach to life.

Many reasons – but they all add up to me knowing that I don’t want to solve this problem, at least not right now. I’ve learned that some problems are okay to have, or at the very least be patient with. Right?

(featured photo from Pexels)

33 thoughts on “Problem Solving Super Power”

  1. I’m a problem solver, too– a solutions girl is how I put it. It comes naturally to me. I agree with you that some problems need to be allowed to exist without any sort of immediate solution, trusting that when the time is right you’ll find/apply the proper solution. It’s not easy to be patient, but worth it.

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  2. So much in life is about ‘energy’ isn’t it? Issues and problems I know I need to pursue are on the back burner for now as I realise I just haven’t sufficient energy to deal with them for now.

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  3. As you suggest, Wynne, some relationships are beyond redemption or take decades before they can be productively approached. Similarly, one can only fight so many fights lest one’s life becomes about fighting. As the ancient Knight Templar guarding the Holy Grail in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” said, “Choose wisely:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGl9dBOJp9E

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  4. I’m still trying to accept that some things will likely never come with a satisfying answer. That’s really hard for someone who wants to dig down ceaselessly until I can finally say aha and close out all the queries. It’s really hard but I keep trying to tell myself that there IS a reason to let the answer remain unknown.

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  5. I’m with Deb. Sometimes I do soooo much better when I quit it…the desire to solve/understand/fix. Learning to ‘pack it up’ and move on is one of my new-found and BEST problem-solving skills.
    😉😉😉

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  6. My brain works so much like yours, Wynne–everything is a problem to be solved. It’s useful is so many contexts… until it’s not. Learning and accepting that not everything is a problem that needs solving can be life-changing. Fantastic post!

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  7. I find your perspective on life interesting, when you apply your mountain climbing experience and now your engineering perspective. A fascinating way to look at life and work and parenting when you can break the problems down into small pieces.

    I absolutely hear you on the part about some problems are best untouched, as the return on investment is not worth the energy expended.

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    1. Ab, you have such a gift for taking things in and then synthesizing them in a way that helps give me insight about my own life. Thank you!

      Some problems are best untouched. Well said, my friend!

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  9. When I read your opening, I thought “Wow. Imagine being able to approach life with such clarity.” But then you reassured me. Life is not a series of events to be coldly catergorized and solved. It is much more deliciously mysterious.

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    1. I’m laughing, VJ! I’m pretty sure that when I approach life that way, I’m kind of a jerk. 🙂 So I really love your statement that life is “much more deliciously mysterious.” Yes!

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  10. The two most interesting aspects of this post to me are those who don’t recognize a problem or those who don’t really want to solve them. I have a good friend who is an alcoholic that fits into one or the other category.

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    1. A very true comment, Nancy! Actually, by working on myself, I’ve come across what I think is really wounding my sister down deep and it’s made it so that I’m not angry at her. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help her unless she does her work but I have hope.

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  14. Sad about your relationship with your sister. And I agree with your conclusions at the end, about being patient — and that some issues will continue. Emotionally dealing with that can be difficult, though.

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comment, Dave. You’re right, some issues will continue and some will change over time. It’ll be interesting to see which one this turns out to be. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  15. It’s taken me a minute to realize that sometimes problems don’t need solving..just presence and acceptance..it’s something I have to keep reminding myself of because I too have the tendency to go through problem solving steps on auto-pilot..🙂..sigh..we’re all works in progress☀️..great post!

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