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Dissolving Problems and Time Management Principles

Dissolving Problems Exercise

  • PURPOSE

    • A structured self-inquiry process designed to uncover the root causes of persistent problems and generate actionable solutions.
    • Requires honesty, reflection, and a willingness to confront hidden fears, motives, and secondary gains.

  • SET-UP

    • Take loose-leaf or notebook paper.
    • Write one of the prescribed questions at the top of each sheet, keeping them in the exact order given.
    • Spend at least 5 minutes per page actively answering.
    • Total number of core questions (before follow-up) = 18.

  • CORE QUESTIONS (IN ORDER)

    1. What is the area you’re having difficulty with? Describe in detail.
    2. What are your fears and attitudes regarding your problem?
    3. What aren’t you getting?
    4. What are you getting that you don’t want?
    5. What are you getting that you do want?
    6. Regarding this problem, how have you been trying to resolve it?
    7. Regarding this problem, what do you think you should be doing?
    8. What is it that you want?
    9. What is it that you should want?
    10. What are the benefits of not resolving this problem?
      • Illuminates possible "secondary gains" (e.g., sympathy, avoidance of responsibility, a familiar identity).
    11. What would you have to give up to resolve this problem?
      • Highlights attachments, resources, habits, or roles you might forfeit.
    12. What would you have to realize to resolve this problem?
      • Encourages new perspectives or paradigm shifts.
    13. What are you holding on to, or protecting, in regards to your problem?
    14. Who or what is limiting you?
      • Could be an external person, system, or an internal belief.
    15. By solving this problem, what new problems will be created?
      • Promotes future-oriented, systems thinking.
    16. What is it that you really want?
      • Invitation to dig beneath surface desires.
    17. What are the specific things you will do to resolve this problem?
      • Concrete, behavioral commitments.

  • FOLLOW-UP REFLECTION

    • Did you reach Question 17 and create a tangible strategy? Why or why not?
    • Did you tell the truth on every question?
      • Notice any rationalizations or areas you glossed over.
    • Did you have trouble discerning the truth for some questions?
      • Identify blind spots and potential need for external feedback.

  • SIGNIFICANCE & APPLICATION

    • The exercise systematically dissolves resistance by exposing contradictions: desires vs fears, benefits vs costs.
    • Repeated use can develop meta-cognitive awareness and sharpen problem-solving skill.
    • Complements coaching, therapy, or journaling practices.

  • ETHICAL / PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

    • Requires psychological safety and adequate time; rushing undermines authenticity.
    • May surface sensitive issues; consider professional support if emotional overwhelm occurs.

  • RELATED TOOLS / RESOURCES (abbreviated in transcript)

    • ey.com, themilk.com, m…ized.net (exact sites unclear).
      • Likely intended as online aids or further reading.

Time Management Principles

  • CORE PREMISE

    • Time management is not about choosing the perfect planner; it is about the quality of decisions made regarding limited hours.
    • You cannot change time itself—only attitudes and behaviors toward it.

  • VALUE ORIENTATION

    • Time is either an asset or a liability depending on perspective.
    • Effective use is anchored in knowing how much your time is worth and aligning daily actions with high-priority goals.

  • ATTITUDINAL FOUNDATION

    • Attitudes are shaped by:
      • Early conditioning (family’s relationship to schedules, punctuality, rituals).
      • Self-esteem (belief that one’s own needs and goals deserve structured attention).
    • Recognizing and, if necessary, re-engineering these influences is key.

  • REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS (IDENTITY & BELIEFS)

    1. What is your attitude toward time?
    2. What thoughts and feelings arise when you consider time’s passage?
    3. How did your family relate to time?
      • Early models of urgency, procrastination, or leisure may linger subconsciously.
    4. Do you respect yourself by taking the time to take care of yourself?
      • Direct link between self-care and time valuation.
    5. Do you view time as your friend or enemy?
      • Frames productivity vs stress.

  • FOLLOW-UP REFLECTION

    • Will you cling to existing beliefs or cultivate new skills and mindsets?
    • Anticipate social response:
      • "How do you think those around you will respond as you make the necessary changes?"

  • PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

    • Greater self-awareness enables better prioritization, delegation, and boundary-setting.
    • Identifying belief conflicts (e.g., "busy = important" vs "rest = laziness") can free time for meaningful goals.

  • CONNECTIONS TO PREVIOUS LEARNING (if used in a larger course)

    • Complements goal-setting frameworks by ensuring that schedules reflect chosen objectives.
    • Reinforces self-management concepts (e.g., locus of control, habit formation).

  • ETHICAL & REAL-WORLD RELEVANCE

    • Balancing ambition with well-being avoids burnout.
    • Respecting time—yours and others’—builds credibility and trust in professional settings.

Integrated Takeaways

  • Both sections emphasize honesty, reflection, and alignment between inner motives and outer actions.
  • Dissolving Problems targets specific obstacles; Time Management targets the universal constraint of hours.
  • Employ them together:
    • Clear the psychological barriers (Dissolving Problems) → Allocate reclaimed mental energy efficiently (Time Management).