(2) Look the problem right in the eyes and challenge it!

Knowing what a problem really is about is the only way to possibly solve it. it is perfectly normal to feel like you already know what the problem is about, it is your problem after all, however, the experience teaches us that there is much more to a problem than that is visible on the surface.

There are also a lot of misconceptions about what a problem is and what its function is. The discomfort surrounding the idea of having a problem is so charged with negativity that in some environment it is consciously chosen not to even use the word 'problem' and to use instead of the word 'challenge'.

The truth of the matter is that the etymology of the word problem reveals that the real meaning of the word is: launch forward. This is the same origin as the word 'project' that surely has a much more positive reputation. You can conclude that a problem is nothing more than a project, a journey of discovery, a plan that waits to be executed. One of my favorite quote about this is:

"Every problem is an opportunity in disguise"
 
Why we end up experiencing a situation as a problem? The pragmatic Dutch writer Berthold Gunster defines a problem as followed: "A problem is a contradiction between a fact and an expectation."
Then he adds that this makes problems complex and at the same time offers an incredible opportunity.

Understanding what is the fact that is challenging you with regards to your problem and considering carefully how much your expectation is realistic, can bring you right to the core of the problem of the problem or said differently, can help you grasp why the problem you are experiencing is a problem for you.
What you may have noticed reflecting on your problem is how solving a problem is actually a way to discover yourself, what is important for you, what do you really want and what is the essence for you of the current situation and of your desired outcome.
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There are so many ways to look at a problem in a different way to discover all the opportunities behind it, all the hidden desires and the potential to get closer to the essence of what you are trying to create in your life.

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