Like it or not, problems, or challenges, are a recurring part of everyday life. Whether you choose to call them challenges, as I do, or problems, certainly doesn’t change the fact that they happen. However, it does change the way we respond to them and that little shift can make a huge difference in our state of mind!
Subconsciously, having a problem means, “There’s something wrong here.” Our mind hears, “This isn’t right, life is not as it should be.” How does this perception affect us? It causes our energy to be funneled toward repairing something that’s gone wrong. Not a very empowering state of mind.
On the other hand, facing a challenge sends no such mental message. Instead of trying to repair a malfunction, a challenge encourage us to recruit our inner resources and to view the situation as a new opportunity. This is a very empowering state of mind.
Words send signals to our brain
It’s not uncommon to use the words problems and challenges interchangeably, but the fact is, they send entirely different messages to our brains. One message represents a struggle just to regain the status quo. It means that we have somehow lost ground and now we must struggle just to get back to where we were.
The other, more empowering choice, tells our minds that everything is great. So great in fact, that we are ready to take on something new. To our subconscious mind, challenges are represented as opportunities. We see them as a way to move up to the next level. It’s our chance to demonstrate what we’re made of.
That is why learning to use the word challenge instead of problem has such a positive effect on our outlook. It’s the difference between our day being plagued with problems or full of opportunities? Are we struggling just to maintain, or are we ready to accept a challenge and take it to the next level?
Take empowering words for a trial run
Changing the words we use changes our state of mind and our perception of life, but please, don’t take my word for it. Instead, why not try it out for yourself? Simply replace the word problem in your vocabulary with the word challenge and see what happens?
This is such a simple way to ramp up the quality of your life. Why not try it for a week and let me know how it works for you? Improving the quality of your life doesn’t need to be complicated. Many of the most powerful life skills you will ever learn are as simple as exchanging one word for another.
Of course, it doesn’t really matter how simple they are if we don’t use them. And therein lies the real secret of personal growth. Nothing happens unless we actually apply what we learn. The power of any skill or strategy is in the application. If we make it a habit to consistently incorporate the things we learn, even the simplest of life skills will have a profound effect on our life.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Jonathan, I totally agree with you. The overwhelming majority of us subconsciously associate the word problem with negativity. Like you said, we’re better off putting it out of our vocabulary altogether.
Hi Nea, after reading your comment I looked up these two words in the dictionary. It was interesting, some of the synonyms for problem were: problematic, unruly, badly-behaved, delinquent, difficult, but one of the definitions for the word challenge was: stimulating test of abilities. Granted, they can mean the same thing, but like you said there is a tendency to associate problem with negativity.
Oh how I love words and certainly I agree with you – words come from thoughts and thought particles travel faster than the speed of light. So words are pretty powerful. I like the word “challenges” myself instead of problems…such a negative connotation to the word “problems.”
Another great post Jonathan…
In gratitude,
Nancy
Hi Nancy, so often the power of words is not fully understood or appreciated. This is especially true when it comes to the power of our own words to shape our perception of reality. Tony Robbins tells a story of a man who suffered from depression who agreed not to use the word depression for 10 days. Two years later he said he had not felt depressed even once since he quit using that word to describe his own feelings. The power of words, the ones we use and the ones we avoid!
Problems demand solutions..challenges demand creativity and I know I’d rather create than keep fixing.
Well said Mick, whenever we view things in a way that stimulates increased creativity something wonderful happens. The creative mindset automatically makes us feel more empowered and resourceful. From that perspective it is not only easier to overcome the hurdle in front of us, it’s also a lot more fun!
I have always avoided the use of the word problem rather I describe it as being a challenge and life has been wonderful. Thanks for this masterpiece, I learned some new things.
Hello – interesting article. Apart from anecdotal evidence have you seen any studies that show if labelling an “Issue” as a problem or a challenge has any impact on a person’s ability to solve/deal with it?
Maybe it’s like the approach and avoidance systems.. Google for mouse maze in a book called “the mindful way through depression”. They reference a study that shows if the avoidance mechanism is activated by trying to avoid a negative outcome rather than achieve a positive outcome It limits a persons ability to be creative (not a surprise I know…)
Sometimes I think that really big unpleasant “issues” can be labelled as “challenges” in an un-natural forced attempt to be positive when doing that may be a way of bypassing or avoiding the genuine painful truth of what’s occurring – kind of like misguided self talk.
Very interesting topic!
Hi Jonathan,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and am amazed at its timing. But I really shouldn’t be surprised at all – after all, this is what synchronicity is all about. This journey that I find myself on is truly awesome, and I hope it never ends. Thank you so much for your wonderful work.