The only problem we really have is we think we’re not supposed to have problems! Problems call us to higher level – face & solve them now!

The only problem we really have is we think we’re not supposed to have problems! Problems call us to higher level – face & solve them now! – Tony Robbins

That's not a solution, but another problem. Face them. It's the first step.

Crawling into a bottle? That’s not a solution, that is but another problem. Eventually, you’ll have to face it. That is the first step in solving the problem. Have courage, you can do it.

What does that mean?
This quote is saying that our biggest problem is that, for whatever reason, we believe that we are supposed to live a life free of problems.

We spend most of our day with minor issues at most, and all seems well in our world. And then, BAM, out of nowhere comes a “problem.” Something happens which we did not anticipate and are not prepared to handle.

That situation is labeled a problem, and we suddenly change our attitude. I don’t think that’s the best way to handle it, do you? There will be times in our lives when things go sideways, sometimes spectacularly so. So what?

What we have to do is bring ourselves up to the next level. Bring our A Game. Push beyond. Go over the top. Whatever metaphor you want to use, you have to step up and take it on. Hiding from it, that won’t help, will it?

Why is courage important?  
Courage is defined at thefreedictionary.com as “The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.” And that is what we need to have when facing the bigger challenges in our lives.

If you are timid, what will you do when trouble appears on your doorstep? Will you face it, or will you run and hide? Having courage allows us to stand firm, despite our fear, and do what must be done. There will always be times when trouble appears on your doorstep. What will you do?

Courage allows you to have options. Without courage, what options do you have besides running and hiding? With courage, possibilities open up. Take a moment and imagine an action movie, and then take the courage away from the hero. What would they do in the first big encounter, lacking courage?

We will all face difficulties of some form or another. And we will face them far more often than we may like. But if we have courage, we have a better chance of setting the course. Without courage, we are but a leaf on the wind. Which sounds better to you?

Where can I apply this in my life?
As the author of the quote once said, that he had always had problems, and expected that he always would. When he started his career, he was worrying if he’d be able to fill the room with people. Now he worries about finding rooms big enough to hold all the people who have paid to come.

The problems haven’t gone away, they’ve only changed. And for the better. Would you rather have the problem of trying to fill a room, or finding a big enough room for all the people? Both are problems. One is a higher quality problem than the other, right?

Long time readers know some of the litany of things which I have faced. I didn’t always have a lot of courage, but I usually had enough to eventually quit hiding and face them. And that’s the point of the quote. You don’t have to be as strong as Superman(R), you just have to be willing to face your troubles.

Until you face them, you won’t really be able to do much, will you? And to face them, courage comes in handy. Once you have determined that you will face them, your options immediately open up, and the odds start to turn. After all, what chance do you have if you’re hiding or ignoring the issue?

The next question is how to become courageous? Like most things in life, you can take the incremental path, or you can dive in head-first. I prefer to avoid the head-first approach, but it’s up to you. One path takes a little longer, but offers more opportunities for corrections.

For the head-first crowd, just realize that there will be fewer chances for corrections, and that you’re putting it all on the line. If that works for you, have at it! All you have to do is notice that you’re not facing an issue, and take action.

For the rest of us, I recommend taking a moment and considering what you are avoiding. What issues are already out there, and consider why you are avoiding or hiding from them. What would you need to do to face them? How would you have to change your thinking to find the courage to face them?

Because every situation and every person is different, this will be something you will have to figure out on your own, but you might want to select something fairly small for your first few tries. As you are more successful, you can start working your way to the larger issues.

We will all have problems crop up in our lives. And usually at the least convenient times. Realize that you are a creature of habit, and that bravery can become a habit, as avoidance is presently a habit. The more often you face your issues, the braver you become, the more your courage grows.

From: Twitter, @tonyrobbins
confirmed at : https://twitter.com/tonyrobbins/status/393783606700552192 (on his feed)
Photo by CJAG93

About philosiblog

I am a thinker, who is spending some time examining those short twitter quotes in greater detail on my blog.
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