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How to Master Problem Solving
by Linda-Ann Stewart
Have you ever tried to remember someone's name, but it just wasn't happening? You could probably remember specific details about them, like where you saw them last, what you talked about, even their favorite color. But their name eluded you?
If you're like most people, when you let go of trying, voila! That person's name popped into your mind, while you were driving, washing dishes or talking with someone else. This has happened to me more times than I can count. If you'd kept picking at it, it would have taken a lot longer, if ever, to remember the name.
That's the way your creative mind works in solving problems, whether it's for a person's name, an artistic project, or trying to find an answer to a difficult issue. When you have a challenge, both your conscious and subconscious minds have specific roles to play. To be successful in this endeavor, you have to let them do their separate jobs, or they get in each others way.
The Roles of Your Conscious and Subconscious Minds Explained
Your conscious mind's purpose is to focus on the problem. Your analytical mind identifies and defines what's wrong, and then gathers all the information it can about the challenge and any potential solution. Once your conscious mind has done its job, it's time for your subconscious mind to go to work.
Directed by your intention to find a solution, your subconscious then accesses all the information your conscious mind has gathered. Your creative mind combines that data with everything else it has gathered over the years. It processes all the information, and brings it together in a new way to solve the puzzle.
The Secret to Problem Solving
But there's a secret that activates your subconscious mind to locate a solution. You have to deliberately let go of thinking about the problem. As long as your conscious mind is really focused and concerned about the issue, your subconscious mind can't work on it. This is because all the energy is going to and through your conscious mind. When you shift your attention to something else, your subconscious has the space to reflect, sort out and construct.
To allow your subconscious mind to discover the answer, set aside the problem. This is counter-intuitive, but you have to let it go. Go do something else. For your subconscious to develop a solution, you have to let your mind rest from obsessing about the problem. Take the pressure off. Go for a walk, do the dishes, let your mind wander. Especially, set aside your smartphone, stay off social media, and don't watch TV. Give your mind space to meander and breathe.
Next Steps
If, after awhile, you don't have an answer, go back and focus on the problem, and assess it further. You may notice new information. Then, let go of the matter again. This nudges your subconscious mind back into action. Repeat until an idea surfaces that might work.
Don't accept your idea as the best one quite yet. It may need to be refined. Try the idea out to see if the answer will fill your requirements. If it's still not entirely right, focus on the problem again for a bit, then go do something else.
The Method
This is the method.
- Engage your conscious mind to examine the challenge.
- Go do something that frees your mind.
- Release the concern so your subconscious can deal with it.
- Assess your insight.
- Repeat this process until you find the solution that satisfies you.
I've used this technique with clients, and myself, for many issues. One time, I'd lost my hiking hat. I knew it was in the house, and went through drawers, closets, and bags. Finally, I let go wondering about the hat, and instructed my subconscious to inspire me with a new place to look. Not long after, I thought about going through the backpack I'd already searched four times. But I hadn't looked in the outer pocket, which is where I found the hat.
The more you're able to practice this method, the faster your results will be. The process is to focus on the problem, relax, release, assess, rinse and repeat. When you trust the natural function of your mind, you'll cultivate your "aha!" moment more quickly and easily.
Copyright © 2009-2026 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, freedom, wellbeing and prosperity. Register for her FREE Design Your Best Day guide and guided meditation at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html. You can contact her at LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com or 928-600-0452.
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