For every problem, there’s a solution. The trick is to recognize that it’s a problem in the first place.
Problem: At night I put my glasses and my iphone (with the alarm set) on the bedside table and turn out the light. The next morning I was fumbling for them in the dark and often knocked them off the table. Twice I stepped on the glasses. This had been going on for quite a while before I realized – it was A Problem.
Solution: I always put the glasses in the nearest corner of the table and the iphone in the far corner. Habit now. No more problem. But Duh!
Problem: I often needed to wrap tape around a round object. It frequently got tangled up in itself before I got it on. Argh!
Solution: Now I start wrapping the tape in the center instead of from one end. Works great (usually).
Problem: I use a heating pad for my back in my computer chair. I was always getting tangled up in the cord.
Solution: I used a bulldog clip to hold the cord around a table leg. It’s not pretty but it’s off the floor and out of my way.
Problem: Sometimes when I’ve written about this principle someone thought I was telling them where to put their glasses or how to use tape. No, I’m using these examples to illustrate the principle, “Once you realize it’s a problem, you can find a solution and your life will get better. These minor annoyances add up.”
Solution: I’ve just finished explaining it.
doug
Question O the Day:
Can you identify any frustrations in your life that you had not recognized as A Problem?
Obvious Note O the Day:
Of course it’s not totally true that there’s always a solution, but it’s nearly true, and it’s more effective to believe it. You’ll recognize more problems and find more soluti
Relevant Note O the Day: Please always scroll down and check the comments. They are very good. And please contribute your own comments. In case you missed it tho, here is my response to a lovely comment:
“ulana
thank you! your comment cheered my day. i hope you may contribute more in the future. i love comments. so pleased that the new book was helpful to you. by the way, i just learned that reviews are allowed on amazon even if you didnt buy the book there, but you must have spent at least $50 on anything on amazon in the past year. i love reviews too.
thank you again and best wishes
doug”
Totally Irrelevant Note O the Day:
At the store, I couldn’t find the butter. I asked the grocer if he had any.
He said, “Yes, but it’s bitter.”
I said, “ I’ll take it.”
He said, “Wait. I got a new order yesterday. It’s not quite as bad.”
I said, “Well, give me that.”
He said, “It’s a small batch. I can’t give you much.”
I said, “ OK, just give me a bit of the batch of better bitter butter.”
Links:
More on Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
ADHD and Overwhelmed – Bonnie Mincu
Another version of the same point about problems and solutions
#ADHD, @addstrategies, @adhdstrategies, @dougmkpdp
