If you have problems, and we all do, there is a quick way to take the heaviness out of that situation. Lightening your problem will give you the confidence and mood-boost you need to solve it or work around it. In fact, if you do this often enough you may even feel like you’re living a 100% Problem-Free Life. (my friend Sneha’s free ebook link). So here’s what to do….
Problem Busting Formula
You may be thinking, “OK, so what’s this magic formula for lightening my problems. I’m already skeptical, but go ahead, give me the goods.” The formula is:
Find the humor in the situation.
“Whaaaaat?” you say. “Please, there isn’t anything funny about my problems. Go away. Go home. Get a new job, cause you clearly stink at advice!”
OK, I hear you. I would have reacted the same way. But I’m lucky enough to have seen this work.
My brother and Dad are exceptional at this. In fact their day is one long joking session. (It’s the Irish thing) And these 2 run a super successful business. They get more done in one day than most people get done in a week. And they encounter their fare share of problems.
The difference between them and most other people is that problems don’t derail them. Problems are always turned into an immediate joke which gives them the energy and hopeful mindset to deal with it and keep moving forward.
How to Find the Humor in a Problem
Let’s face it. Our go-to reaction when faced with a problem is to find the worst in that problem, dig deep, and make it even worse. We love to over-react with lots of drama and assume an “End of Days” mindset. The sky is falling and it’s headed straight at you.
Well this is actually the beginning of humor. You find that sticky, messy part of the problem and find a way to exaggerate it, but this time instead of making it more serious you make it more ridiculous. Then build on this. Imagine it being even funnier. And keep going with it.
It’s good to have a partner while you do this, but you can certainly do it out loud while alone or in a journal. They key ingredient to make it funny adding laughter and the element of the ridiculous. It is a requirement to try to make yourself or those around you laugh.
Like I said this is what my brother does all day long. It’s so fun to be around him. And he’s a rock-star of productivity to boot.
Why You Should Try This
Finding the humor takes all the weight out of the problem. When you laugh you feel good. You feel hopeful. This lightness of mood, tells your body “hey guys, we’ve got this under control.” This in turn has your body performing normal functions, keeping your energy stable. And when you feel good, you think more clearly and can solve problems more readily.
This is as opposed to when you see your problem in a heavy dreadful light. In that case you are telling your body and mind, “The shit has hit the fan. It is time to fight or fly.” Then your body shuts down all important functions to prepare itself for catastrophe. Stress hormones are released preparing for physical exertion that probably won’t come with most modern problems. Your energy is drained from the adrenaline and cortisol. This makes it very likely that your problem is going to derail you to some degree.
Using humor is not going to eliminate problems or keep you from getting slowed down by them, but it will help you to solve or handle them in a way that won’t have your train jumping the track. Instead you can stop, fix or handle the problem, and move forward, all the while smiling.
What could be better than that?
What If You Just Can’t Find a Way to Laugh
If you’re feeling sour right now because of a problem, you’ve probably gone the serious route already. But the good news is you CAN release that bad mood and change your direction.
Give it a little time for the negative chemicals swirling in your body to work their way out and in the meantime, call the funniest most positive person you know. Tell them what you are trying to do and ask them to help you find the ridiculous in your problem.
Before you know it, you’ll be laughing. Then you’ll feel better. You’ll be solving that problem. And then moving ahead with bigger and better things.
Just be open enough to allow it.
Now try it. And please, please let me know how it goes!
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