I taught school for 20 years – grade 6 to post graduate, and here’s how we created solutions just by the way we thought about seeming obstacles…
“I believed in the students’ ability to learn and be successful, and we practiced ways of building that belief in them. I encouraged my junior-high students to let go of the idea that they had a problem when they needed help. Instead of “I have a problem,” I asked them to say, “I have a challenge.” I would then respond with “Tell me about the challenge so that we can find a creative solution.” Rather than “I need help,” they were asked to use “I have a question.” I would then respond with “Let’s help you find the answer.” “I don’t understand” became “I’m ready to learn,” and “I don’t get it” shifted to “Can you please explain it another way?”
For the first couple of weeks, they would roll their eyes, but would humour me and go along with it. By the end of September, they were speaking with each other in similar ways. They had learned that the way they asked for help set them up for success. They came to focus on what they wanted rather than what they didn’t want. If the Inner Critic was doing the asking, it was harder. If their questions arose from the Inner Coach, learning came more easily. Creative solutions were much more fun to think about than problems, and the culture of the classroom was established.
When the students stated a problem, they recognized that they began in a hole. That meant they needed time and energy to crawl out of the hole before they could start getting what they wanted. Shifting their perceptions gave them a shortcut to what they needed . . . and everyone loves shortcuts! I reminded them that they were placing creative energy wherever their thoughts were focused. When they formed a link between the concept of challenge and the opportunity for creative solution, their thoughts remained on the right side of the line.”
Belief Re-patterning: The Amazing Technique for “Flipping the Switch to Positive Thoughts”, p. 229. (Hay House 2012)
- I forgive myself for believing I have a problem.
- I give myself permission to open up to a creative solution to this challenge I am experiencing.
- I choose to let go of problem-solving by focusing on creative solution-seeking!
- I am free to allow creative solutions to show up!
- I experienced a creative solution to… I like how that feels.
- I am a creative solution seeker, and it is empowering!
I’m interested in hearing how you navigate your way from “problem” to “solution”!
Namaste,
Suze
