S2E9: From Problems to Solutions

Today we’re answering the question how do we shift from problems to solutions, and I’m sharing with you a powerful 3-part process to help you succeed. 

When we have a hard time resolving problems, especially in a team or group setting, or when solutions don’t stick, there’s a couple major reasons for it:

1. We haven’t taken a thorough history of the problem.
2. We’re trying to problem solve from a brain that isn’t in the neurological state conducive to solving complex problems.

Neurobiologically, the brain has to be in a state of calm in order to be able to access the pre-frontal cortex, which is where all logical and complex thought processes occur. 

When we’re dealing with problems, especially problems that are charged and triggering, our pre-frontal cortex can go offline and our survival (read: fight or flight brain) takes over. 

The brain is not capable of solving complex problems when we’re in the survival fight or flight state. 

That’s why we need to do what we can in order to keep the pre-frontal cortex as online as possible while we’re working on problem resolution. 

One of the primary pathways in the brain between the survival brain and the higher reasoning brain is compassion.

Which is what makes the following 3-part process crucial in developing long-term, sustainable solutions to problems.

In the 12-step recovery world these steps are referred to as The 3 As:

Awareness
Acceptance and
Action

Our problem most of the time is we jump straight from awareness to action, and we completely bypass the step of acceptance, which is the bridge between the two!

When we skip the acceptance part of the problem solving process, we don’t deal with our triggers, which activate our survival brains, which is why we aren’t able to come up with effective solutions that stick.

Acceptance is the part of the process where we’re using the pathway and skill of compassion to develop a thorough understanding of the history of the problem, so that we can develop solutions that work. 

A side note here: Acceptance isn’t condoning the behavior that led to a problem or the problem itself. Acceptance is about no longer rejecting the reality that the problem is what it is and the reality of what led to the problem. 

The beauty of it all is, when you take the time to thoroughly understand the problem, which requires sitting in the awareness and acceptance parts of the process, the actions (or solutions) come quite quickly and naturally. 

Which, as I explain in this episode, is also the reason we’ve taken the last 52 episodes of the podcast to do a lengthy history of the problem facing us today as womxn, and especially BIPOC women in leadership. From here on out, we’re going to be talking solutions, because without solutions, nothing changes.

Links:
Join the private newsletter community to receive bonus episodes of the podcast, community only invitations for quarterly Coffee Dates, and offers on anything I create delivered straight to your inbox: www.shiranimpathak.com/connect

Find Me on Social Media:

Our hashtags are #fierceauthenticity and #showupbeseengetlove

If you're loving the episode, take a screenshot, share it on social, and tag me in your post!

Instagram: @shiranimpathak
Facebook: @ShiraniMPathak

For a transcript of this episode visit  www.shiranimpathak.com/podcast

Donate to the work:

Shirani on PayPal

*Some of the links used may be affiliate links. It will cost you nothing extra to use my links, but I may earn a commission if you use one of my links. This is one way to financially support the podcast.