The Right Mindset for Problem-Solving
What if playing with wooden blocks could help someone experiencing depression see possibilities again?
I recently worked with someone who was feeling stuck and hopeless, struggling to take even small steps towards change.
Instead of starting with the problem, I decided to start by playing.
We used a different game in each session and then reflected on the experience.
And something interesting happened.
During play, the client described feeling joy while being fully immersed in the activity. They noticed a window of sunlight in the middle of the darkness they had been going through.
More importantly, the experience opened up a new possibility: they realised they could intentionally create more moments like this in everyday life.
From distress to possibility
This experience reminded me of one of the foundational theories in Positive Psychology: the Broaden-and-Build Theory.
When we're distressed, our thinking can become narrower. We tend to focus on the problem, the threat and what isn't working.
But positive emotions such as joy can broaden our attention and expand the range of possibilities we see.
And this isn't only relevant to therapy.
It can also be highly relevant to our professional lives.
What happens when we go straight to the problem?
During my years as an executive, I sat in countless meetings where people believed the most productive thing to do was get straight to the point.
Sometimes, that's exactly what we need.
But not always.
A few minutes of humour, play, connection, or simply creating a more relaxed atmosphere can change the emotional state of the people in the room — and, consequently, the quality of the conversation that follows.
The mindset we bring to a problem can influence the possibilities we see.
So, next time you need to solve a difficult problem, don't necessarily go straight to the point.
Take a few minutes to create a better emotional state first.
You might be surprised by what becomes possible.
Share this with a workmate before your next meeting.
