Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Problem Isn't the Solution

Let's be real, we've all gotten hooked to something in our lives. It can be a TV series, videogame, social media, or for the unluckies, all three. As a result, we're pulling all nighters to get papers and projects out. And after we have stressed and barely got by, we say to ourselves: "I'm never doing this to myself again."

Yet again and again, we end up procrastinating despite how many promises we make to ourselves. Another paper comes up, and even though every line of logic tells us to get the paper done, we end up staring at another episode of Friends instead.

Why do we do this? Mark Driscoll made the answer obvious to me. The problem appears to be the solution. In other words, when we have a paper due, we have a huge dread that we don't want to face. A temporary fix or "solution" is to watch an Ross and Rachel get into a fight. That episode temporarily takes our mind off that dreadful essay, and for 30 minutes, we are problem free. The problem has become the "solution."

Driscoll gives another example with alcoholism.It is pretty Christian heavy, but he gives an excellent example:


Watch from 28:13 to 30:20 

The bottom line is that we are endlessly clicking on episodes because we do not want to face reality of the situation. By realizing this concept, I have found that I have been able to stay on track.

When I'm tempted to log onto facebook, I just simply say to myself: Look Nick, the only reason why you're doing this is to escape the problem. Close out of facebook, face the problem, and solve it!


© Nicholas Shah and Learning More Than Living, 2013. Please note that material was put in here from Mark Driscoll and his associated church, Mars Hill and that this information belongs to them. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholas Shah and Learning More Than Living with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank You. 


2 comments:

  1. Five things to think about...
    1. It's completely possible to be "hooked" on all 3 and still manage to do just as well on projects as if time wasn't spent on those things. It's possible to succeed and enjoy life.

    2. TV series end, video games are beaten, social media becomes boring after a while...While these can cause issues it's nothing like a chemical dependence that might kill you if you completely quit without medical supervision.

    3. This is the classic "running away from your problems doesn't solve anything." There's no reason to bring in idolatry.

    4. Being able to be so easily distracted from work seems like a worse problem than being "hooked".

    5. Facebook can be used constructively to coordinate meeting times or discuss ideas. Do you think you could have used a better example for the last part?

    ReplyDelete
  2. 5 things to solve your problems...

    1. That’s impossible to know for sure. It’s more likely you’d do better if you didn’t waste time.

    2. Nick never claims that these different addictions are as devastating as those types of addiction to drugs.

    3. The video made valid points about the type of addiction mentioned in the previous point.

    4. If you’re not “hooked” you can more easily focus on work.

    5. Facebook is more often a distraction which was the point here.

    -A Random Guy on the Internet

    ReplyDelete