In the middle of the night Holmes wakes up and gives Dr. Watson a nudge. “Watson” he says, “look up in the sky and tell me what you see.”
(excerpted from Thomas Cathcart’s and Daniel Klein‘s book, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . .: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
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Holmes and Watson are on a camping trip.
Not so elementary my dear!
Perhaps, you’ve been struggling with a problem for a while and don’t know how to resolve it. Could it be that the solution is right there before you and you’re not really seeing it?
May I suggest some simple steps you could take:
– Specify the problem
– Name the concerns
– Say what need to be done first: I need to ……
– Decide when you will take that first step
– Take the first step
– And that first step will lead you to the next step and
Hey, you’re on your way towards resolving your problem.
Elementary, my dear.
Would love to hear what first steps you have decided to take.
Wonderful tale about being in over your head! Or should I say it’s (your perceived problems) are the very stuff that gets in the way of taking action. The tips to slow down and take one step at a time will surely bring about change.
Oh yes sometimes the problems seem so complex, Margaret, and the answer is right under our nose!
Loved this exchange between Watson and Holmes!
It is so true that we often overlook the very problem staring us in the face. Or, we choose, for whatever reason, to ignore it. That’s why it is so important for us to take time to reflect on what has been and is going on around us.
Great advice, Corinne!
Reflection is important, Martha. However, I know from my own experience, I have spent time reflecting and taking that first step to solve the problem.
Not too long, I’m sure, Janaki!
Admitting that you are having a struggle can be an issue sometimes!
That’s true, RoseAnn.
Ooo I love detective stories 😀 esp. because of the magnifying glass 😉
The first step I took was to relax my mind by sleeping. Then I wrote my troubles in paper (specifying each one of them just like what you wrote).
Then I wrote possible solutions to each one of them, prioritizing what needed to be done first.
Well, for the things I couldn’t handle by myself, I shared with my colleagues so we could do things as a team. And the rest, I put on the altar 😉
Great steps, Melissa. Relax – Brainstorm – Prioritize – Delegate – Pray 🙂
Fantastic! ♥
That was a great story…there are so many perspectives one can have towards the very same thing. Some great advice..btw…thanks! 🙂
Watson certainly had many, didn’t he, Jessica? Thanks.
Corrine, I love this excerpt.
I usually, unfortunately spend too much time just worrying about a problem, before I finally take the first step. By then, my anxiety has built, often way out of proportion to the issue. But, I’m learning, slowly, to confront things sooner.
I wish there were easy answers to my problems. I’m still trying to find one.
love the story! haha!
i’m taking so many first steps i don’t even know where to begin! getting my first trademark, creating a non-profit organization and learning how to write grant proposals are at the front of the list today 😉
I’ve taken a first step in a project I’ve been pondering for some time.
Now, it’s a matter of taking the other steps that will conclude the journey. You know what they say about a journey of a thousand miles beginning with that first step. Thanks for the tips! I should get moving…
Paving the way to solving my problem by defining it. Honesty when looking always helps. From there taking the action to get up the hill.
“THE REAL ME”
Oooh! Okay here we go:1. My problem, right now, is attracting consistent readers to my website2. My concerns = I’m an idiot, narcissistic pig, and I’m lazy 3. First Steps: I need to branch out, write great content, and network4. Taking the first step NOW!It’s not all elementary, in fact, it’s tough. However, it can be done! Ha! (:
Like Holmes and Watson, I am going to look for the tent first 🙂
You make it sound do easy Corinne and I am sure if we think logically and clearly we can solve our problems.