Problems Vs. Facts

The starting point of success is the acceptance of reality.

“What cannot be cured must be endured”.

Often people will come to me with challenges they are facing, and I will ask them this simple question.

“Is this a PROBLEM or is this a FACT?”

If it’s a problem, it’s amendable to a solution. There is something that you can do to change it. If you are not happy with the situation, it is up to you to go and do whatever you can to resolve it.

A fact, however, is different from a problem. It is something that exist, like the weather, like rain or snow.

There is nothing that you can do about it.

You can solve problems, but the reality principle says that you have to learn to live with facts.

Something unfortunate that has happened is a fact.

• A sale that did not go through,
• A business deal that collapsed,
• A relationship that didn’t work out,

All of these are FACTS.

Many people waste an enormous amount of emotional energy struggling with facts when they would be much better off concentrating on doing better in the future.