note to self

Alan Watts once wrote that once we understand a problem we’ve actually solved it — that you make a dark room brighter by adding light, not by waving your arms around. Next time you’re waving your arms around in the dark, make sure you understand the real nature of your problem — and not just allow yourself to pout and stay fixated on the desire for your frustration to go away. You probably already know the answer to your problem or you at least know where to find it. Maybe you just don’t know you know it yet.

The funny thing I eventually realized was that I could and often did find the solution to my problem — part way through writing the email in which I was asking for help. I realize this sounds kind of silly, but the next time you’re having trouble figuring something out, try writing a note to yourself.

http://www.43folders.com/2006/02/02/write-to-yourself/

So true!