Nullvariable

Attitude: Problem vs Challenge

by Doug on June 12, 2009

When you meet roadblocks on a day to day basis how do you view them? Problems are for someone else. Problems are things we wish would go away. Problems cascade and ruin everyone’s day. Challenges on the other hand are designed to be overcome. Challenges don’t get you down. Challenges don’t sit around and fester, you take them on or you walk away. Those who view cancer as a challenge often succeed in beating it where those who view it as a problem get lost looking for solutions.

Police CarWhen someone comes to you and says “We have a problem” what’s your reaction? I know that I’d much rather be presented with challenges than with problems. Sometimes it’s just as important for our own outlook as it is for how we present things to others. Presenting them with challenges instead of problems could be the key to accomplishing great things.

We’ll never get rid of problems but most of the things we consider problems can be considered challenges instead. Taking on challenges is more successful for me than dealing with problems!

Would you rather beat a math challenge or a math problem? I don’t know about you but I’d rather meet a life full of challenges head on than be assaulted day in and day out by problems.

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  • Brian

    For me at least, the word “problem” gets translated to “challenge” in my brain. It's sort of like those duck/rabbit optical gimmicks in which your mind tends to interpret the image in a particular way. As a kid, math was fun, so solving math problems (as they were always called) was fun, so problems are something to be solved, and the discovering the solution is an enjoyable process. The word 'problem” for me generally doesn't have negative connotations.

  • http://www.nullvariable.com nullvariable

    I agree. But I don't think everyone does this mental conversion. And I on the other hand didn't enjoy math too much so perhaps that lends to my perception of it :)

  • idaremyidea

    I love it! it's totally correct – unlike; right and like the new influenza is actually affluenza – humanity getting ill from materialistically overfed undernourished values in; or should I say of life. Nice post. Thanks!

    I had to laugh when I read beat a math problem!!! – what with! up for the rise to meet a new challenge all ways.

  • Franz M

    Anyone should be free to make this mental translation; however, when writing and speaking it may be confusing and irritating and it can even negatively affect the way other people react to this attitude. Having a challenge with your taxes, a new employee or computer program does not sound as urgent or serious as it needs to be.
    The way I see it: a meteorite in its way to Earth it is indeed a problem, no mental translation. Finding a way to deal with it can by all means be a challenge, and a serious one.

  • Franz M

    Anyone should be free to make this mental translation; however, when writing and speaking it may be confusing and irritating and it can even negatively affect the way other people react to this attitude. Having a challenge with your taxes, a new employee or computer program does not sound as urgent or serious as it needs to be.
    The way I see it: a meteorite in its way to Earth it is indeed a problem, no mental translation. Finding a way to deal with it can by all means be a challenge, and a serious one.

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