8 Intriguing Ideas to Solve Problems and Find More Purpose

One of my all-time favourite quotes - 

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Einstein

How many of us feel stuck on a problem? 

Who else notices internal conflict about what to do next? 

You're not the only one - this is a foundational rule of compassion. 

When you admit to your problems, you empower yourself to solve them and unknowingly encourage others to do the same. 

What if you had the tools to solve problems faster, more peacefully and more confidently?

You cannot solve a problem from the same level of consciousness that created it. That's exactly what this week's video is about. 

It's based on the work of Deirdre Barrett from Harvard Medical School. She developed a process called dream incubation which solved problems in 70% of the study participants.

Here are 8 intriguing ideas to help you solve problems and find more purpose. 

1. Seek Clarity

"If you don't know what your biggest challenge is right now, that's your biggest challenge."

Each week I ask my clients to share an important struggle disturbing their minds. 

I hear about business partnership conflicts, inconsistent habits and slow decision-making. 

When your mind is still and clear before you go to bed, I want you to ask the question:

"What is my biggest challenge right now?" Go with your first instinct. 

Raise awareness of the problem compassionately, with an intention for growth, and see what comes up. 

2. Intention is Everything

In order to solve a problem through your dreams, intention is everything.

The problem is most people are not clear or assertive enough with their intentions. 

I remember a while ago, I noticed a metaphor for the importance of assertive intentions. 

We set up a Google Home speaker in my son's room and we used voice commands to set a timer to help with bedtime.

When I spoke gently to 'Alexa' she didn't respond. But, each time I assertively set my intention she worked. 

Set your intention to solve the problem assertively, as you would speak to 'Alexa'. For example -

"My intention is to understand what's holding me back from deeply connecting with my child."

3. Allow, Allow, Allow

Your stress is what's holding you back. 

At any time, there are millions of points of attention we could be focusing on. This means that there are millions of possibilities to solve your problems. 

An activated stress system tunnels our vision and reduces our ability to problem-solve. 

Try letting go of something you're resisting this week. Actively notice it and decide that you're exactly where you need to be, and you don't need that problem to be different. This is allowing. 

4. Visualisation Comes to You

"Visualisation comes to you, imagination comes from you."

You may be thinking that you can't visualise. I hear you. For a long time, I didn't see clear images when visualising, but I could imagine. 

If I asked you to think of your old house, you could picture it - this is imagination. Whilst you're there you may start to sense images coming to you, like old friends, furniture or even possessions. This is visualisation. 

Before you go to bed, after stating your intentions to solve your problem, visualise the problem. 

Start recalling the problem in your self-talk and watch the images that come up. This is a tool that Deirdre Barrett used in her studies. 

5. Feelings Over Logic

If you want to solve problems fast, the answers aren't logical. 

In a world where AI is on the rise, intuition, creativity and abstract thinking are the skills of the future. 

Your heart has wisdom far beyond what the mind could ever perceive. Try trusting your feelings by literally feeling around your heart. You will feel more aware of this in the tiny decisions of the day. 

Use this heart-awareness technique when deciding on minor things like what to have for dinner. This is training that great Indian sages and entrepreneurs including Steve Jobs used to use. 

6. Let the Breath Be Your Guide

If you're struggling to access what feels right, it's likely that your nervous system needs resetting. 

Try a Physiological Sigh - an evidence-based technique that works in seconds. 

Breathe in deeply through the nose.

Then breathe in a little more.

Then release a large exhale through the mouth with an audible sigh.

Repeat this three times.

7. Relax Into Visualisation

When I first started visualising, I tried so hard because I desperately wanted it to work. My frustration only intensified. Keep your attention on the present but be open to the future. 

When you're stressed your brain waves are at a faster frequency. This is known to block intuition.  

8. Listen Without Judgement

You have already received the answer to your problem, it's only that your logical mind told you...

"That will never work."

Learn to listen in the morning for potential answers based on a feeling. 

For example, you may see something on social media that sparks your curiosity, you may get an urge to reach out to a specific person or you may encounter a book that could help you. 

Follow your instinct; life is a lot more interesting that way!

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Enjoy these practices, and let me know how you get on with them.