For some of us, fixing problems is just what we do.
We have a stronger disposition to fix and solve problems, almost greater than those around us. It’s like our minds default to spotting problems where others see none. We come up with all types of solutions and ideas to solve the challenges in front of us, and we’ll even invent problems to solve when there are none.
Why Some of Us Invent Problems to Solve
I think this is most prevalent for us overthinkers, as well as for those of us who are overachievers. And while the underlying reasons why differ, the pull is the same.
The overthinker
Overthinkers create problems to give themselves something to think about and obsess over. It’s almost like they need something to occupy their minds with. So why not invent problems, as well as worries, when there are none? (I’ve written before about the real cost of overthinking and how much of life it keeps us stuck in our heads.)
The overachiever
For overachievers, it’s slightly different. The quest and process of solving problems gives them a sense of achievement and purpose. It validates their sense of self and their self-esteem. It’s something I explored in a lesson for insecure overachievers.
Is This Trait Good or Bad? Who Knows?
Is this inherently good or bad? Who knows?
In either case, I don’t think it’s healthy, especially not all the time. But it is about developing the self-awareness to identify which camp, if either, we fall into, and adjusting as required.
We all have preferences, dispositions and character traits. Judging them as good or bad isn’t helpful at best. They are what they are.
There are healthy and unhealthy ways they can manifest and express themselves. Some of which we have a choice over, and others we don’t, but can learn to manage in healthier ways.
Looking at them, or judging them as most of us do, as good or bad, often creates self-resentment and ends up eating away at our self-esteem and self-worth.
What if we were just to accept every part of this, and work on the bits we like less about ourselves, so we continue to grow into our next unfoldment?
Give Yourself Better Problems to Solve
If we resonate with this disposition, of identifying problems more easily than others, whether we’re an overthinker or a chronic overachiever, wouldn’t it just be a good idea to give ourselves better problems to solve? Greater, more meaningful ones, rather than the ones our minds might invent, however stimulating they are in themselves.
Don’t get me wrong. We feed that mechanism more often than we care to admit.
Basically, what I’m saying is this: if this is our disposition, if this is a character trait we have, we can consciously choose the problems we want to work on and solve. Hopefully, problems that actually make a difference.
What a meaningful problem could look like
These could be:
- Issues our local community faces that we dedicate ourselves to
- A cause we’re deeply passionate about
- Directing that energy towards inventing, or bringing to market, a new product or service that solves an issue for the masses
Whatever it is, rather than letting the part of our minds often responsible for mental chatter and overthinking choose the problems for us, we can choose them more consciously and intentionally. Towards something bigger than ourselves, that actually matters to us and to the world at large.
You don’t have to be the next Steve Jobs
By “at large”, I don’t mean that we become the next Steve Jobs. What I mean is we dedicate ourselves to solving a problem or two, maybe three, that helps more than just ourselves.
Why Bigger Problems Lead to a More Meaningful Life
This won’t only scratch that itch of solving problems. It will feel, and be, more meaningful, and make a bigger difference in the world than the low-grade issues we often come up with.
You know the ones. The problems we start trying to solve after a bad night’s sleep, because we’re a little mentally dysregulated and, given our disposition, fall even further towards solving problems that don’t exist and make no actual difference if solved.
Let me put it this way.
If you’re an overthinker or an overachiever, or actually just want to do something meaningful in the world, give yourself bigger problems to solve.
Watch how they not only give you a sense of purpose and meaning, help propel your personal growth, and scratch that itch to solve problems in the first place, but also end up helping others and contributing to a more meaningful existence.
Step Off the Hamster Wheel: Try It
The best thing we can do is try it. Especially if our overthinking and overachieving trait isn’t working for us at the moment.
Coming up with low-grade problems after low-grade problems just keeps us on this hamster wheel.
Try something different. Give yourself a bigger problem to solve.
And watch how it could just be the catalyst to change your life.
Key Takeaways for Solving Meaningful Problems
- Born problem solvers: Some people’s minds default to spotting problems where others see none, and they will even invent problems to solve when there are none.
- The overthinker: Overthinkers create problems and worries to give their minds something to think about and obsess over.
- The overachiever: Overachievers chase the sense of achievement and purpose that solving problems brings, because it validates their sense of self and self-esteem.
- Drop the judgement: The trait is neither inherently good nor bad. Judging it creates self-resentment, while self-awareness and acceptance let you manage it in healthier ways.
- Choose your problems: Rather than letting mental chatter pick low-grade problems for you, consciously choose problems that matter to you and help others.
- Meaningful examples: A meaningful problem could be an issue your local community faces, a cause you feel passionate about, or a product or service that solves a problem for many people.
- One to three is enough: You do not need to become the next Steve Jobs. Dedicating yourself to one, two or three problems that help more than just you is enough.
- Off the hamster wheel: Low-grade problem after low-grade problem keeps you stuck. A bigger problem scratches the same itch while bringing purpose, growth and a more meaningful life.
FAQs for Solving Meaningful Problems
Why do some people invent problems to solve?
Some people invent problems because their minds need something to work on. Overthinkers create problems and worries to give themselves something to think about and obsess over. Overachievers chase the sense of achievement and purpose that solving problems brings, because it validates their sense of self and their self-esteem.
Is being a natural problem solver a good or bad trait?
It is neither inherently good nor bad. It is simply a disposition, and it can show up in healthy or unhealthy ways. Judging the trait as good or bad tends to create self-resentment and erode self-worth. Self-awareness and acceptance help you manage it well and keep growing.
How can overthinkers put their thinking to better use?
Overthinkers can put their thinking to better use by consciously choosing bigger, more meaningful problems to solve. Instead of letting mental chatter pick low-grade problems for you, direct that energy towards something that matters to you and helps other people, such as a community issue or a cause you care about.
What counts as a meaningful problem to solve?
A meaningful problem is one that matters to you and helps more than just yourself. Examples include an issue your local community faces, a cause you feel deeply passionate about, or a new product or service that solves a problem for many people. One, two or three is enough.
Do I need to change the world to live a meaningful life?
No, you do not need to become the next Steve Jobs. Living more meaningfully can be as simple as dedicating yourself to solving one, two or three problems that help more people than just you. The point is to direct your energy towards something bigger than yourself.
How do I stop getting stuck on small, low-grade problems?
Give yourself a bigger problem to solve. Low-grade problems, often invented after a bad night’s sleep, keep you on a mental hamster wheel and make no real difference once solved. A meaningful problem scratches the same itch while adding purpose, personal growth and real help for others.
