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The Art of Problem-Solving: Embracing Discomfort for Growth

Alright, let’s talk real business for a second. Not the fluffy, motivational poster stuff, but the stuff that actually makes a difference. I’ve been noticing something lately, and it’s something I’ve been guilty of myself: we’re really good at letting problems just…hang out. Like, they’re the awkward guest at the party nobody wants to talk to, so we just pretend they’re not there.

Think about it. That nagging issue with the client? The software glitch that’s slowing everyone down? That weird dip in sales we can’t quite explain? We push it to the back burner. “We’ll deal with it later,” we say. Or, even worse, “Maybe it’ll just go away.”

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t just go away.

What I’ve learned, the hard way, is that closing the gap is where the real magic happens. That moment when you finally sit down and say, “Okay, let’s figure this out,” is brutal. It’s uncomfortable. You’re staring at the cold, hard truth, and it’s not pretty. Maybe you messed up. Maybe your process is broken. Maybe the market shifted and you didn’t see it coming.

But that discomfort? That’s where growth lives.

It’s like working out a muscle – it burns, it aches, but you know you’re getting stronger. You’re actually fixing something, not just putting a band-aid on it.

And let’s be honest, our brains are wired against this. We’re wired to avoid pain, to take the easy route. That’s why we procrastinate, why we make excuses. It’s our brain trying to protect us from the uncomfortable. But success, in business and in life, isn’t about avoiding discomfort. It’s about recognizing that instinct and pushing through anyway.

  • It’s about saying, “Yeah, this sucks, but I’m going to do it anyway.”
  • It’s about facing the music, even when you don’t like the tune.
  • It’s about closing the gap, no matter how wide it is.

So, next time you feel that urge to look the other way, to ignore the problem, remember this: that’s your brain trying to keep you safe. But safe isn’t where you grow.

Growth is on the other side of uncomfortable. And that’s where you want to be.

Doing the right thing is always the right thing.
Doing the right thing is always the right thing.

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Mark Johnson

Mark's passion and expertise is enabling real estate broker-owners and team leaders to create the systems, structure, and processes to support their growth. He also enjoys sharing his thoughts on business success on his blog: www.winningtheday.blog

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