One of the most overused and abused words that exists is the word, problem.
A problem is a difficulty or dilemma in search of a solution. In its purest sense, therefore, a problem is an active exercise where the focus of behavior should be on the process of solving rather than wallowing.
Unfortunately, many people deal with problems by staying stuck, agonizing, wallowing, and becoming self-critical. Some attribute their problems to bad luck – thus justifying their avoidance of active problem-solving behaviors.
In working with patients, I have found that behavior change can often best be accomplished by a simple change in semantics. If we replace the word, problem, with the word, challenge, it often makes a ton of difference.
A challenge requires active engagement in the process of finding a solution. “Are you up for the challenge?” implies a different set of behavioral expectations than the statement, “Gee, you’ve got a problem”.
Whether you are dealing with a difficult situation yourself or whether you are part of someone else’s support network, you can increase the chances of active involvement – and ultimately success – if you allow yourself and encourage others to think in terms of challenges rather than problems.