Stop Solving Dumb Problems

Let me start by saying this: Humans are problem solving machines. If this were not the case, we would fail to survive in the harsh conditions of evolution. The very existence of our enlarged frontal lobe signals the evolutionary need for humans to problem solve, though, we live in an interesting time.

Interesting time because our neural circuitry now contends with modern day issues.

Issues that are vastly different from the issues of our ancestors.

And thus, modern day problems require modern day solutions.

One of these modern day problems is this: The addiction to solving problems is a problem in and of itself.

Because our brains are heavily geared for solving problems, I’ve noticed a tendency for my mind to create problems just so I have something to allocate my attention to, and then fail to identify when those problems are actually just irrelevant constructs of my mind. As a result, I end up spending way too much time on shit that don’t matter.

It’s a feedback loop. If I have no problem to solve, my brain scans for a problem to solve. If the radar shows up blank, my mind manufactures a problem to then solve, convincing myself it’s necessary to solve for my well-being. Once the problem is solved, the process repeats.

This isn't inherently bad. Solving problems is a great way to advance a career, move forward in personal growth, etc. There is tremendous benefit in becoming a great problem solver.

That is, only if we are solving the right problems.

Not all problems are relevant.

Not all problems need to be solved.

Not all problems are problems.

That feedback loop I just described? Flawed. Flawed because there are an infinite number of problems to solve. The bigger question to ask is: Are there any relevant problems for me to solve?

Not knowing whether you’re solving something relevant can have serious consequences.

Being unable to live a day without solving problems can have serious consequences.

Let's look at this idea as it pertains to relationships. Many people find themselves creating and solving irrelevant problems in their relationships. In a weird way, it feels nice to have problems in a relationship because it gives you something to focus on and fix. But, when things are actually going well, it can become weirdly uncomfortable when there’s nothing to solve. The water is still, yet we are focused on creating the next ripple rather than enjoying the calm. THIS MAKES SENSE GIVEN HOW MUCH OF OUR BRAIN IS DEDICATED TO PROBLEM SOLVING. And yet, if people took a step back to ask “Is this even important?” I think some would find their relationships improving by virtue of realizing there are actually less things wrong than you make it out to be. If you really love them, why do you keep creating problems? Wouldn’t that energy best be spent figuring out how to appreciate their beauties?

Many people also find themselves doing this in their personal life. Take me, for example. I’ve been telling myself, “I need to get my sleep schedule in check before I start working on sapoots again. These blogs require tack-sharp focus to produce, and I can’t achieve that without proper sleep.”This seems like a valid claim (and admittedly there is definitely an element of truth to it).

Fixing your sleep is definitely a valid problem to solve, and yet, as I was journaling about this, I realized something—the time and attention I spent trying to fix my sleep schedule had an opportunity cost: It’s time and attention that literally could have been spent drafting up a blog. The problem of sleep was relevant, but it became irrelevant when matched against a more relevant problem: Writing blogs for sapoots.

There are many more problems we occupy our time with for no good reason. Spending too much time figuring out where to eat. Spending too much time worrying what other people think of us. Spending too much time worried about the drama of other people. All of these things have subliminal problems woven into them that we attempt to solve, but as we described above, there's opportunity cost to everything.

Sometimes, the opportunity cost is time that could have been spent doing nothing. Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, very intentionally.

This is important because it signals a couple of things:

1. We have a limited amount of problem solving capability per day. Use it wisely.
   

2. Solving the irrelevant problem actively prevents you from solving the relevant problem. Figure out what’s relevant to you.
   

3. Problems can be relevant in isolation, but may—when actively matched against the other problems you face—reveal a hidden irrelevance you did not see before.

And thus, some takeaways.

Ask yourself:

• What problems am I actively trying to solve in my daily life? Do they seem relevant to me because it’s the only problem on my mind? What happens to their relevance as we subject them to scrutiny (comparison to other problems)? This question helps identify irrelevant problems and shrink them through comparison.
  

• Are my problems actually problems? Or, are my problems creations of my mind to avoid boredom? This question helps to identify if your mind refuses to be still. If so, ask yourself why your mind must be in motion?
  

• If my problem solving capability was aimed elsewhere, how would I benefit? This question helps identify the opportunity costs between different problems.
  

Hopefully these questions can help you understand your relationship to problem solving a bit better. Your mind is great at tricking itself, but solving important problems and knowing when to stop is a skill with immense return on investment. Learning to slow the circuitry of your mind lets you sit still and enjoy the only thing we truly ever have—the present.

So with that, let’s all solve properly to live more. For it is when we design our lives around having less problems that we begin to realize that everything we’ve ever needed was already here.

Til next time,

sapoots.

_(┐「ε:)🤍🌱

Problem Solver by sapoots