"Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them"

You know that feeling when you’re faced with a tough situation and it just feels easier to avoid it? That’s basically what we're talking about here. The core idea is that a lot of folks tend to use more of their time and resources trying to dodge obstacles rather than tackling them head-on. It's like spending hours figuring out a detour instead of just fixing the flat tire.

Historically, this sentiment has been echoed by many thinkers and doers. Think about the industrial age. When machinery would break down, you had two types of workers: those who'd try to get by without fixing the issue, and those who'd roll up their sleeves, get a little greasy, and fix the darn thing. The latter were the ones who kept things moving smoothly.

Let’s jump into a real-life example. Picture this: Sarah, a project manager at a tech startup, is facing a major bug in their software just days before launch. Now, she could spend days arranging meetings, sending emails, and looking for workarounds to avoid dealing with the bug directly. But instead, she decides to dive into the problem. She brings the team together, they identify the root cause, and work late nights to fix it. In just two days, the software is back on track, and the launch goes off without a hitch. That’s the difference between skirting around an issue and solving it.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing when you're avoiding a problem. Maybe it's that awkward conversation you need to have with a friend, or the pile of paperwork you've been shoving to the back of your desk. Acknowledge that it's there, and then make a plan. Break the problem into smaller, manageable pieces. Tackle them one by one. You'll find that it often takes less time and energy than you feared.

Alright, let’s bring this to life with a little scenario. Imagine Lisa. She’s an aspiring writer who’s been dreaming of finishing her novel. But every time she sits down to write, she gets distracted — reorganizing her desk, checking emails, even doing laundry. Anything but writing. The real problem is she’s scared her writing won't be good enough. So, she's avoiding it. But what if Lisa decided to face that fear? She sets a timer for 30 minutes each day, committing to write without distractions. At first, it’s tough. The words come slowly, and she doubts herself. But day by day, the pages start to fill. A year later, Lisa has a complete manuscript.

See, the energy she initially spent avoiding writing was far greater than the effort it took to just sit down and do it. And guess what? She feels accomplished and proud.

So next time you’re tempted to go around a problem, think of Sarah and Lisa. Face that issue head-on. You might be surprised at how much easier — and more rewarding — it is to just deal with it.