The problem with problems

We’ve fallen into a great trap. I see it in myself most days. You see I’ve begun to have a problem with problems.

Like anyone else I love it when my day or a few days pass by problem free. I enjoy the ease of life of work in those periods of carefree schedules.

Unfortunately, like to many others I cherish and covet those days. It’s too easy to see problems as set-backs, stumbling blocks, energy traps so when problems spring up I feel like I’m encountering a bad day.

But is it true? Where would we be without problems? Leaders understand problems cause us to think and rethink situations mulling our possible choices. Problems force us to wrestle with issues we would otherwise avoid.

Problems are the catalyst of change in a leader’s life. Problems motivate us to work hard, to study, to learn, to grow, to analyze, to plan, and to execute. Without problems it would be too easy to coast- to go with the flow – to simply maintain rather than advance.

James understood this when he wrote, “Consider it all joy when you encounter various types of trials.”