True Purpose

I'm a problem-solver! I've always gotten props for being a problem solver. But now I realize that this all too often praised attribute also comes with a price. As Susanka discusses in The Not So Big Life, if you solve problems as they arise, you find that you spend most of your time putting out fires. Whatever is at the top of my in box gets top priority, and then the thing right under it, and then the thing under that until the time I've allotted for such things runs out. The problem with this approach is that I am unwittingly giving power to my problems. They define me. My problems are my routine. My routine is my life. By the transitive property (A=B and B=C, then B=C), my problems = my life. Well, that just S-U-C-K-S!!!

In addition, I think that my need to solve problems immediately leaves no room for the Universe to solve some problems for me! :) Here's an example:

I was following up on some test results for Tre and the doctor's assistance said I had to fax in a written request, blah, blah, blah. Now I don't know about you but that's a 10-step process in my house... after writing the note! It involves hooking up the fax machine! Anyhoooo... I put it off. I put the fax number on my desk. Yes, it was burning a hole in my in box, saying DO ME! I'm on top! I'm the fire. You need these test results NOW. I did not. I just didn't get to it for a few days. And today, miracle of miracles, the test results came in the mail, without me doing anything at all!