Deal With Huge Problems by Running Away for a Short Time
When faced with a problem so insurmountable that all you have to do is run away, this may be the best solution. Until you get back, of course.
As Sloan Management Review Editor-in-Chief Paul Michelman explains, huge problems can make it impossible for us to handle them. When something is so big that we cannot come up with a solution, taking a moment away from the situation can help you refocus and return to it later with a fresh perspective. The instinct to run is actually useful, as long as it is not constant:
You can start by going outside. Leave the office and into the parking lot. Get in your car and take your ex-coworker to lunch. Get on the plane and head to the conference. Find the lecture you want to attend. Pack your laptop and go to the coworking space. Cross state lines.
Place yourself in a place where something unexpected is more likely to happen. Give yourself the opportunity to learn. But whatever you do, do what is not part of your routine – and then agree to do it regularly. If you don’t leave the office for at least a few days a month because of work, start blocking time on your calendar and force yourself to be somewhere else every two weeks. It is equally important to make it a top priority for those who manage to do the same. This means giving people direction and time to follow your example.
While you are away, use this time to reflect on the emotions of the problem you are facing and to consider practical ways to solve it. By collecting your thoughts and feelings, you can return to a better place to deal with them. You will be much more prepared than if you were trying to tackle this huge problem head-on, without thinking.
Best Way to Deal with Uncertainty: Escape (Temporarily) | Inc.