Pick up that big, fat problem you’ve been mulling over, and hold it in your hand.
What would that situation look like if it were fun or easy?
When it comes to big problems, “fun and easy” does not come easily to me. I tend to writhe with things and wring as much suffering out of it as I possibly can.
I’m not totally sure why, but it’s something I’m working on. And this exercise helps.
Last night, for example. Driving home after a long, stressful day… and I get the call every mother dreads:
“Something’s wrong with #2’s arm. They were wrestling, his arm got pulled, and he hasn’t stopped crying, even after I gave him candy.”
I turn the car around to meet my husband and our two kids at our preferred kid’s urgent care place.
(The injured party is fine now.)
Leaving #2 with dad to wait for care and driving #1 home, I’m still stress-crying. But I turn this idea over in my head — what would this situation look like if it were fun and easy?
I’d make small talk with #1. We’d cheerfully plan the meal we’ll make when we get home. We’d have a bath and go to bed, we’d be calm.
… So, that’s what I did.
This is a personal example. But I’m finding it applies to all the tough stuff about running a business, too: prospecting, capacity planning, deadlines, the editing process.
What if these things were fun and easy?