How easy is it to solve someone else’s problem?

You’re at lunch and everyone at the table is talking about how much they want to eat right and get into shape but can’t seem to find the time.  What comes to mind is the perfect coach you know who has had great success with many people in helping them shift their priorities and mindset to achieve their potential.

Or you recognize a neighbour is struggling to keep up with the rising costs of living on a limited income job.  You know a great side hustle opportunity that would put a spring in their step and cash in their wallet.

Or a friend shares painful family drama. Your mind cuts through the chaos with perception solutions that protect feelings and keep everyone getting along. 

The truth is it’s easier to solve problems on the outside when you’re not emotionally involved.  It’s called “psychological distancing” which enables you to come up with more creative solutions.

But sometimes it’s not even so much as solving a problem as it is recognizing an opportunity; an opportunity for expansion, growth, awareness, leverage, or freedom that is clear as day.  You see their set of circumstances, their strengths and the conceivable outcome in a way that you could easily map out a strategy to succeed deliberately.

Aha! ~ “The potential you see in other people isn’t real.  It is the projection of what you would do in their position.”  Anonymous

Psychological distancing is a great tactic to use on yourself when you can’t see the forest for the trees.  Taking a different perspective on a different timeline of the circumstance, as a younger or older self, or from the point of view of different outcomes already having materialized. This tactic expands the gap between you and the problem and get your imagination flowing.

However as for encouraging others, what you see in them is a reflection of what you see in yourself.  You can’t see what you don’t already own. 

So you may see energy, love, talent, courage, determination, compassion and deservingness…and they all exist … within you.

The goods news is that we can be the light for others but leading by example.  It’s natural for people to mirrior those in their immediate environment.  Our “mirror neurons’ are on hyperdrive when we’re toddlers and fade as we age but they still very much exist.

Be contagious.

This is a HUGE topic which we’ll explore further in Human U July 3^rd.  Join the conversation to Serve Humanity by Serving Your Self first.