21 Comments
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Olivia Wickstrom's avatar

The distinction between imagined problems and real ones is SO good, and something I see constantly with the writers and creators I work with. So much energy gets poured into escape plans for kidnappings that never come, while the actual meaty problem (not putting yourself out there consistently, staying frozen between too many ideas) sits there unsolved. That reframe alone could free up so much brain space for people. And "you can't solve a problem that doesn't exist" is going straight into my back pocket. Brilliant piece 🤍

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Thanks Olivia x

Alexandra The Composer's avatar

Ooooh this is great. Thank you for this reminder, it’s so easy to spin off into the imagined problems and get sucked in so far that the real ones get neglected!

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

We all do it!

Cary's avatar

Love this distinction. I've found it helpful to think about this quote when I find myself trying to solve a problem that doesn't yet exist: “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” - Marcus Aurelius

In my head, as shorthand, I just remind myself - "you'll be there."

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Oo this is a fabulous quote, thank you for sharing

Laura Van Buskirk's avatar

This was actually very helpful. I have the not enough people in my pipeline problem and I keep on getting stuck in my head. Thank you for sharing your insights & wisdom.

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

The gentle nudge you needed!!

Laura Van Buskirk's avatar

Truly! I got myself reoriented. =)

The Threshold's avatar

Hard resonate. My latest trick is to pour what ifs into google just to make sure I have every irrational fear covered

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Hahahahah, hard relate

Summer's Curious's avatar

This is a life lesson ❤️

Gal's avatar

Get out of my head lol

Dallin Wells's avatar

Thanks for sharing Anna! This made me think of the difference between limiting and liberating beliefs in the book “Beyond Belief” by Nir Eyal. I highly suggest this book for anyone who found this article edifying.

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Oo I'll add that to my reading list, thank you!

Ivy Kwon's avatar

So good.

Katie's avatar

Wow thank you for this, exactly the type of post I need to read this morning 🫶

Anna Mackenzie's avatar

Pleasure treasure!

Caleb Groce's avatar

"[Y]ou can’t solve a problem that doesn’t exist." (bars)

That's the whole conundrum right there. My brain doesn't know the problem doesn't exist.

So it will continue to try and solve the unsolvable...

No more. And just to be sure of it, I'm banning the word 'if' until further notice.

The amount of time and progress those two letters have cost me is truly incalculable.

What was it specifically in business that led you to change the way you think about and solve problems, Anna?