Stop Swimming Against the Current - Why Problem-Focused Thinking Leaves You Exhausted

It’s amazing what happens when you stop swimming against the current and start going with the flow. I’m not talking about blindly accepting everything that comes your way, but rather shifting your focus from problems to solutions. It’s a subtle but powerful shift, and it can make a world of difference.

Think about it. When you’re constantly zeroed in on problems, highlighting every issue, poking holes in every plan, and questioning every decision…it’s like swimming upstream. You’re fighting the natural flow of your environment, and it’s draining. Even if your intentions are good, this problem-first mindset keeps you stuck, exhausted, and often feeling ineffective.

The hidden cost of problem-focused thinking

Being hyper-aware of problems can seem like a strength, especially if you’re in a role that requires you to think critically and assess risks. It took me quite a while to figure out that there is a fine line between being a strength and a downfall especially when in complex environments, noticing problems can feel like a badge of honor. But here’s thing… when your energy is wrapped up in everything that could go wrong, you leave little room for creative solutions or meaningful impact.

Problem-focused thinking keeps you in a reactive state, always bracing for what’s next (think cortisol overload). It’s like you’re constantly paddling against the current, trying to stop the river from moving and while it may seem like you’re super busy you very well may be, but are you making progress?

Solution-focused thinking - pivoting your mindset  

Shifting from a problem-first to a solution-oriented mindset doesn’t mean you ignore risks or pretend everything is perfect. That’s not it at all. In fact it means recognizing that change and challenges are inevitable but instead of focusing on the problems you’re using your energy to navigate them more effectively.  

When you adopt a solution-oriented approach, it becomes much easier for you to stop treating every issue as a roadblock and to start seeing them as opportunities to adapt and make an impact. You’ll find yourself moving from “Why is this happening to us?” to “How can we work with what we have?” and this big mindset shift doesn’t just make you more effective - it protects your energy and creates space for real influence.

The key to working with the flow

So, how can you stop feeling like you’re always swimming upstream and start making progress? Here are a few ways to lean into change and focus on solutions instead of problems:

1. Acknowledge your current reality. Before you can go with the flow, you need to recognize the environment you’re in. What’s the momentum, and where is it headed? Understanding the landscape lets you navigate more strategically so you don’t end up going down a river only to end up paddling back the way you came. 
2. Ask better questions. Instead of fixating on what’s wrong, start asking, What can we do about it? or How can we leverage this change to our advantage? Solution-focused questions open the door to creative possibilities and new ways of thinking.
3. Prioritize what really matters. Not every problem needs to be solved immediately… or at all by you. Step back and consider which challenges are worth your energy, which ones are fires that someone else lit and which ones can you just let go. Sometimes, focusing on what you can control is the easiest and quickest way to bring more clarity and impact.
4. Stay flexible. Being rigid and stuck in your ways is absolutely exhausting. The more adaptable you are in your methods and thinking, the more resilient you become. Being fluid in your approach doesn’t mean you’re giving up, actually the opposite because it means you’re choosing your battles wisely.
5. Embrace progress, not perfection. Solution-focused thinking is all about small, impactful steps. Celebrate the wins, even if they’re minor. Every bit of progress you make contributes to the bigger picture, builds momentum and gives you a sense of impact.

A challenge for you…

The next time a project or change feels overwhelming, I would love for you to try and stop focusing on everything that could go wrong, take a moment instead to consider where are there opportunities and that you can create impact - even if it’s small.  Ask yourself, How can I work with this challenge instead of against it?

Even one small shift in your mindset can have a ripple effect, boosting your energy and effectiveness. What’s one thing this week you can lean into instead of fight?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this -. Follow me on LinkedIn, drop me a DM or send me an email.