Why our problems aren't the problem
Why we should welcome them, not fear them.
Hello my friend,
“The only people without problems are in cemeteries. So if you don't have any, you better go on your knees and pray for some. Because problems are a sign of life.” - Norman Vincent Peale
We often see problems as a problem.
We look to get rid or minimise them.
To get out the way of them.
We assume something isn’t right and we must fix it immediately.
We seek the ways to ignore, overcome or quickly remove them.
Plainly speaking, we don’t like having problems.
But I have learned we shouldn’t wish for a problem free life.
Why?
Because one, that will never happen.
Because two, we would actually miss them.
What if we accepted problems as a completely normal part of life?
What if we told ourselves there is nothing to concern ourselves about?
What if we reminded ourselves that they will come and go like the tide.
I realised not too long ago that as soon as I solved all my current problems, more popped up.
I would get distracted, worried or stressed, yet the problem itself wouldn’t change.
Same problem, just unnecessary strain and stress.
I would often work tirelessly to remove a problem and feel on edge half the day.
Ditto. Problem was the same. My day wasn’t.
Then more problems soon come along either way.
Worrying about having problems is the problem, not the problems themselves.
So, I realised I had to change my mindset around problems.
Wishing for less or no problems wasn’t working.
Stressing over them certainly wasn’t either.
Thinking problems aren’t normal or that something is wrong can cause heavy loads of unnecessary stress that quite frankly doesn’t help a thing.
Because once we have finally solved a problem and feel like we can finally sit down and relax for the day, another one will quickly arise.
Problems are an inevitable part of life.
We can’t control most of them popping up.
How we approach and frame them is something we can.
A problem isn’t the problem. The problem is thinking a problem is a problem.
Of course some are particularly challenging but they are also inevitable at one stage or another.
Some people treat problems like they do their email inbox. The more and quicker they get through all of them, the better.
They finally hit zero and let out a big sigh of relief. They say ‘finally, no more’.
They hit “Inbox zero”.
But guess what happens the very next morning on awakening? A load more email have arrived.
It is a constant cycle and the same is with life and its problems.
For better or for worse.
Without problems there would be no creativity.
There would be no challenges.
There would be little growth.
Barely any intuition required or spontaneity available.
Without problems there would be no life.
So my thinking at the start of a new year is to look at your problems in a completely different way and with fresh perspective.
Wish not for no problems, but to be better at accepting them.
Then becoming better at approaching, overcoming and dealing with them upon their inevitable arrival.
To be stronger and better to take them on once they arise.
Problems will never go away.
This isn’t something to fear.
In fact quite the opposite.
It proves we are alive.
Wishing you a happy new year and that all your problems will be unproblematic.
With love, Nick x
PS: NEW EVENT - NOT TO BE MISSED!
Running Minds is hosting an event on January 21st in Madrid.
We have an amazing guest speaker, Dr. Malin Garemo who will be presenting her talk “The Thinking Athlete: Gut Health, Brain, Movement.”
If you are interesting in learning about the body and mind connection, improving your mental clarity and performance and taking better control and care of your health, you won’t want to miss it! A great way to get 2026 moving in the right direction.
Places are limited. Sign up here !