Centipedes + Proactive Problem-Solving

 

Psych & Such    |    28 May 2021

Something's wrong.  It's very obvious.  I have centipedes all over my apartment.  I vacuum up about 10 every day, only to find 10 more the very next day.  And the day after that.  Pest control has already been called out, and while the problem has been minimized, it has not been eradicated. 

A centipede-filled house is easy to recognize as a problem.  But what about those other issues we face and struggle with that aren't so easy to spot?  That creep up on us?  Or are obvious to others, and yet, oblivious to us?   What then?

1. Schedule frequent check-ins with yourself.  Take time to reflect and ask yourself the hard questions.  See where there are "target areas," or areas that need improvement, areas of concern, or areas that may have diminished over time.

2. Figure out where you have control and influence in those target areas.  Your efforts and time should be focused and prioritized on the relationships, processes, and pursuits you at least have some influence on/over.  Otherwise, you may just be wasting your time or spinning your wheels.

3. Ask others, those whom you trust and will be honest with you, about potential problems or issues they may be seeing that you aren't privy to.  Then ask for their help.  Brainstorm ideas together and/or turn them into your accountability partner for tackling components or tasks within your target areas.

Some problems in our lives we will be forced to simply react to.  However, all of our problems and issues don't need to be such.  Get ahead of the curve and proactively situate yourself to regularly identify and handle smaller issues so that they don't turn into big problems.