Comments on: Attack Every Problem Like A Lion Traps An Ant http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2010/01/31/attack-every-problem-like-a-lion-traps-an-ant/ Reflections of a Buddhist Physician Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:24:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Charlie http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2010/01/31/attack-every-problem-like-a-lion-traps-an-ant/#comment-5496 Charlie Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:18:23 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=442#comment-5496 As a multi-skilled tradesman with many years of experience, I have a saying: "If man made it, I can fix it. If it is hard, you're doing it wrong." Step back, go for a coffee and let the patience of mind offer its solutions. This has worked for me many, many times. What if I am the "broken water heater" and I come to the Good Doctor for a solution. I am not man-made. Sometimes I cannot be fixed, even if I am new. Is it faulty engineering or the failure of the Good Doctor who needs to refine his/her craft? As a multi-skilled tradesman with many years of experience, I have a saying: “If man made it, I can fix it. If it is hard, you’re doing it wrong.” Step back, go for a coffee and let the patience of mind offer its solutions. This has worked for me many, many times. What if I am the “broken water heater” and I come to the Good Doctor for a solution. I am not man-made. Sometimes I cannot be fixed, even if I am new. Is it faulty engineering or the failure of the Good Doctor who needs to refine his/her craft?

]]> By: Gus http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2010/01/31/attack-every-problem-like-a-lion-traps-an-ant/#comment-5465 Gus Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:13:48 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=442#comment-5465 I work as a State plan review engineer which is very detail oriented. Complex projects like wastewater treatment plants can not be built without State review and approval. When I bring my full attention to a plan review I discover a variety of issues and concerns and provide them all to the project owner, no matter how small or insignificant. I have learned that small concerns can become large and large can become small under withering scrutiny. What I think may have been a minor mistake, or a compromise, can turn out to have been a calculated risk by the design team. Always express your concerns until the truth emerges. I work as a State plan review engineer which is very detail oriented. Complex projects like wastewater treatment plants can not be built without State review and approval. When I bring my full attention to a plan review I discover a variety of issues and concerns and provide them all to the project owner, no matter how small or insignificant. I have learned that small concerns can become large and large can become small under withering scrutiny. What I think may have been a minor mistake, or a compromise, can turn out to have been a calculated risk by the design team. Always express your concerns until the truth emerges.

]]> By: RG http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2010/01/31/attack-every-problem-like-a-lion-traps-an-ant/#comment-3650 RG Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:20:45 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=442#comment-3650 My initial reaction was like rdp, but over this week I ran across some articles talking about "child prodigies who talk about their 'rage to master' an expertise in their area of interest." That seems to be, in one researcher's opinion, the essential difference between gifted children and non-gifted is that unending passion—combined with focusing on their areas of weakness. That is, two kids can put in 10 years of piano practice, and one will care more, practice in a more focused way, etc. I'm a little skeptical—chicken and egg, that if you know where your weaknesses are, then you're probably a lot better than the average child anyway. My initial reaction was like rdp, but over this week I ran across some articles talking about “child prodigies who talk about their ‘rage to master’ an expertise in their area of interest.” That seems to be, in one researcher’s opinion, the essential difference between gifted children and non-gifted is that unending passion—combined with focusing on their areas of weakness. That is, two kids can put in 10 years of piano practice, and one will care more, practice in a more focused way, etc. I’m a little skeptical—chicken and egg, that if you know where your weaknesses are, then you’re probably a lot better than the average child anyway.

]]> By: Andre http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2010/01/31/attack-every-problem-like-a-lion-traps-an-ant/#comment-3623 Andre Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:50:45 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=442#comment-3623 I agree with what your saying in that you have to be fully present in your actions, whether when yielding or going full-force when solving a problem. I just don't think that's very clear in the article. I agree with what your saying in that you have to be fully present in your actions, whether when yielding or going full-force when solving a problem. I just don’t think that’s very clear in the article.

]]> By: Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2010/01/31/attack-every-problem-like-a-lion-traps-an-ant/#comment-3622 Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:15:07 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=442#comment-3622 This article made me chuckle with recognition about attacking problems with 100% effort. I've experienced success with similar household and other issues involving the phone company, cable company and other such groups. While many will accept the "policies" these companies put in place to fight back the timid, I actually am empowered with "lion's strength" when I know I'm right and fighting for something I consider essential. The key is whether a fight is essential and important to you. This is where the phrase "pick your battles" comes in. Fighting every single issue with 100% effort would be exhausting and self-defeating. When I see a shopper in the grocery store rushing to be first in line ahead of me, for example, I slow down and gently wave them to go first. This is not an important battle to me. When my 2nd child was in second grade and had a teacher who was not to my liking, however, that was worthy fight. Because I'm a teacher, I knew the principal would not want to see me in his office, and he definitely didn't want to give in to my request to change teachers. More important, he didn't want to be seen as a pushover for every parental request. Too bad for him. I gave this 100% effort and got my child transferred to a better teacher. In the process of my confrontation with the principal and school policies, I learned that the other parents at this school requested placement of their children with the best teachers a semester ahead. That's all I needed to know. The game was afoot for not only that child, but the other two of my children who followed her. To treat all issues with equal importance is not wise. Setting priorities and picking our battles is what matters. That way we have 100% energy to give to the things that matter most to us. This article made me chuckle with recognition about attacking problems with 100% effort. I’ve experienced success with similar household and other issues involving the phone company, cable company and other such groups. While many will accept the “policies” these companies put in place to fight back the timid, I actually am empowered with “lion’s strength” when I know I’m right and fighting for something I consider essential.

The key is whether a fight is essential and important to you. This is where the phrase “pick your battles” comes in. Fighting every single issue with 100% effort would be exhausting and self-defeating. When I see a shopper in the grocery store rushing to be first in line ahead of me, for example, I slow down and gently wave them to go first. This is not an important battle to me.

When my 2nd child was in second grade and had a teacher who was not to my liking, however, that was worthy fight. Because I’m a teacher, I knew the principal would not want to see me in his office, and he definitely didn’t want to give in to my request to change teachers. More important, he didn’t want to be seen as a pushover for every parental request. Too bad for him. I gave this 100% effort and got my child transferred to a better teacher.

In the process of my confrontation with the principal and school policies, I learned that the other parents at this school requested placement of their children with the best teachers a semester ahead. That’s all I needed to know. The game was afoot for not only that child, but the other two of my children who followed her.

To treat all issues with equal importance is not wise. Setting priorities and picking our battles is what matters. That way we have 100% energy to give to the things that matter most to us.

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