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A Tip for Problem Solving and Setting Goals

© Beverley Paine 2006

Here's a neat trick I learned the other week and it's already starting to pay dividends.

All too often achieving my goal is thwarted by negative thoughts and a sense of despondency when things don't work out the way I want them too straight off.

Instead of looking at the situation as it is, I've learned to say "what is this NOT like?"

Try it: pick something that regularly upsets or annoys you, or in some way blocks your progress or causes chaos in your life. When you ask "what is this NOT like" you cause a shift in your perspective that will help to show you the solution to whatever problem besets you.

This concept ties in rather neatly with the permaculture adage - "the problem is the solution".

By back tracking from this new state (what it is not) I can see the steps I need to take to achieve my goal.

For example, if I am frustrated by my child's lack of enthusiasm for her maths lesson and the day is quickly sliding into one of those 'bad days', I ask 'what is this NOT?' It's not the way I'd want her school teacher to handle the situation. In a flash I see an image of a patient and sympathetic teacher who eagerly takes the time to investigate what is causing the child's learning block. Straight away my heart softens and I'm back on track, focussed on the reason I'm teaching my child at home.

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The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice. This site merges and incorporates 'Homeschool Australia' and 'Unschool Australia'.

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