You know that feeling when a problem shows up and suddenly your mind won't shut up about it?

Round and round it goes. Analyzing every angle. Rehearsing worst-case scenarios. Dissecting what went wrong and why it's probably going to get worse.

It feels so productive, doesn't it? Like all that mental churning is actually accomplishing something important.

Before you blame yourself, this isn't your fault.

Your brain is hardwired to focus on problems not solutions. It thinks it's keeping you safe by obsessing over what could go wrong. But all it's really doing is making you an expert at practicing the problem.

Every time you loop on what's not working, you're not solving anything. You're just getting really, really good at feeling awful about it.

The 90/10 Rule That Gets You Unstuck

What if I told you there's a better way? Instead of looping on the problem or ignoring it, completely flip how much energy you are giving it.

10% of your energy: Acknowledge the problem. Get clear on what's actually happening. Focus on facts, not interpretation.

90% of your energy: Boomerang all of the energy you were using to focus on the problem straight into solution mode. Get curious. Lean into your creativity. Ask yourself: "What would this look like if it were easy? How can I shift my perspective on this so I can see this situation from a different angle? Who might be able to help me brainstorm solutions?"

Most people are doing this in reverse. They spend 90% of their energy practicing the problem and maybe 10% looking for solutions. And then they wonder why they still feel stuck.

The moment you flip this ratio, your creative solutions start flowing.

When you focus your energy on problems, you feel awful and stay stuck in the same patterns.

When you focus your energy on solutions, you reconnect to your power. You start seeing possibilities where before you only saw closed doors.

The next time you start looping on the problem, pattern interrupt your brain. Do something to shift your state: splash cold water on your face, go outside for a few minutes or listen to a song that elevates your mood. Then get out a piece of paper and start mind mapping possible solutions.

What's one problem that's been consuming your mental space recently?

Stop rehearsing it. Start solving it.

No one and nothing has power over you. Reconnect to your power and train your brain to focus on solutions.