The Most Direct Solution to Any Problem (Blog)

[Savage]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

The Most Direct Solution to Any Problem

[Bradshaw]

What an incredible synchronicity. An article about something i had been thinking and wondering about and bam, next article of yours it discusses it with frightening precision.

Great stuff as always Steve!

[Bonkers]

Often the problem is not whether the solution is direct or not, but if it has long term benefits too, as opposed to being a shortterm stopgap.

One example is making money. Lets say I want to make an extra $100 a day. I could either:

A. Work back another 5 hours every day at work, arriving home at 11pm.
B. Work on an online business that will take a lot longer to get to this level, but won't require me working an extra 35 hours a week once its done.

How do you address this problem of short term gain vs long term rewards? as many times the direct solution is simply a short term solution to a problem.

[Holistic Star]

Thanks Steve,

I'm still laughing at the idea of a Law of Repulsion - can't see as many DVDs being sold about that one somehow!

Your article helped me - there's a direct solution to a problem I have and I haven't implemented it out of guilt. I will now - watch this space....

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Bonkers

How do you address this problem of short term gain vs long term rewards? as many times the direct solution is simply a short term solution to a problem.

You set the goal, so you define the problem. The directness of the solution depends on the exact problem you wish to solve. If you just want an extra $100, that's a different problem than generating a low-maintenance income stream.

[davidsafar]

Steve, Steve, Steve...

I've been reading your site for almost a year now, and I've been very impressed by it, but this post feels like you only thought about half of the issue.

The most direct solution to a problem will often have negative side effects. For instance, if I want to acquire a large sum of money, the most direct way to do so is probably to rob a bank. However, this course of action carries serious consequences. The direct path is often not the optimal path. Although we could usually achieve better results by taking a more direct path, we will often achieve undesirable results by taking the most direct path.

I think it's a great idea to think about the most direct path as a thought experiment, and consider how we can find a solution that looks more like that than what we're currently doing -- but to assume that the most direct way is the best way is perilous.

[Angela]

I don't agree that robbing a bank is the most direct way to get money. There are all kinds of obstacles involved in that! Not the least of which is: I might get shot -- that would definitely get in my way of getting money.

But I do think it's a good idea to look boldly at your passionate desires, and see if there's an underlying desire underneath the obvious one -- one for which a very direct solution is very obvious.

The one that sprang to mind when I was reading the blog post was the relationship one. Underneath "I want to be in a relationship with this particular person" may lie "I want to feel related to this particular person." The obvious solution to that one that I could see is that I am already related -- the direct path is looking boldly at reality -- I am already related, there's nothing I have to do in order to get related. That makes walking up to him and being with him a joyful, inspired action, rather than a goal to be achieved. Big difference.

[elliot42]

I think it might be interesting to talk about direct paths vs. direct solutions.

Suppose you are standing in a dark, fog-shrouded field at night. In the distance, you see a glowing beacon that shows the home you want to reach. You are trying to decide how to get to that light. Off to the side of you, you can see the entrance to a path in the field. You have two choices: 1) you can walk straight forward in a line towards the light, 2) you can follow the path and see where it leads.

It's a silly metaphor but I think it illustrates the main idea of uncertainty. The path represents the indirect line of action: each marginal step is easy, but the path is probably long and windy and may spiral forever, never getting you to your goal. The direct line to the goal you know will theoretically get you there, but walking outside the path will be difficult, and it could be impossible. People tend to not know in advance how hard it is, and take a risk-averse position, just in case it's impossible.

Also, just to be complete, you should theoretically measure a short but slow path (e.g. walking through a short field of tar) vs. a long but fast path (taking the paved road all the way around). There are questions of efficiency and opportunity cost involved.

So to actually get to the point of the first line of this point: it's one thing to have a theoretical direct path, it's another thing to know whether the direct path is a feasible or efficient direct solution. It's not that people take the established path just because they are lazy; they take the established path because they are fundamentally uncertain and afraid of uncertainty.

And when I say "people," mainly I mean me...

-----

On a related note, here is a brainstorm on dealing with unknown difficult direct path:

- Reduce uncertainty by studying problem

- Make path forward easier by following in footsteps of experienced guide, or other people who can smooth the ride for you while you struggle. This includes teaching, guidance, loans, equipment, childcare, etc.. This also puts you a nice position to help other people who come after you.

- Heuristic: walk in a straight line towards goal until you hit an intractable problem, then walk sideways until you find a road (i.e. sidestep the problem, somehow. For example, if you don't know how to do something, recruit a friend who does?). Then once you've avoided the intractable problem, start walking straight towards goal again.

I don't know if any of this made any sense, but I would love feedback.

[Acting Like Godot]

I will try the "direct solution" approach to as many problems as possible in the next few days ..... And jot down the results in a notebook, so I don't forget .... and I will report back to you guys in a few days time, to tell you how this worked.

[backpocket]

Wow. What a nice kick in the pants.

It's just another one of those moments where I go, "Oh, why didn't I think of that..."

[cacheborn]

Good post, Steve. Coincidentally, I read this after reading your post and could not help making the comparison. Makes me wonder how many people have been in/are in similar situation.

Coding Horror: Choosing Your Own Adventure

[Inquisitive Raven]

Speaking of defining the problem, if I want to manifest a blue feather, I wouldn't do a Google image search. That's not a feather; it's a picture of a feather. The easiest, quickest way for me to see a blue feather is probably to go to my local craft store, and go to the appropriate section and look for colored feathers. Some of them will be blue, and if it's a dyed feather ,so what? The intention didn't specify that the color had to be natural. Now, if I'm looking for natural color, there's pet stores not too far from me. It's likely that at least one of them has a bird with blue feathers, probably a parakeet.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Inquisitive Raven

Speaking of defining the problem, if I want to manifest a blue feather, I wouldn't do a Google image search.

While the article is good and really got me thinking, that bit of it was just silly.

The whole point of the blue feather experiment is to prove the existence of superconscious action. Taking conscious action instead defeats the point.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by Keith

The whole point of the blue feather experiment is to prove the existence of superconscious action. Taking conscious action instead defeats the point.

Yes. And going to a craft store or a pet shop also defeats the point. The point was magnetizing a blue feather in a place where there simply are no blue feathers to be found.

A lot of what I see here, and in my own case why I first came here, is people who are frustrated because they have already done everything . . . at least as far as they can see. They've gone to all the craft stores, gone to all the pet shops, sat in the park and waited for blue jays, and so on. They have done direct action until they are exhausted and ready to throw the entire dream of a blue feather out the window. And they can't manifest a blue feather no matter what they do. They can create other things in their life with ease, but not the blue feather. They want to know why they see other people manifesting blue feathers. They want to know how to do it too.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Keith

The whole point of the blue feather experiment is to prove the existence of superconscious action. Taking conscious action instead defeats the point.

Taking conscious action is the point -- it's how you extract the most from superconscious action. If your conscious mind is unwilling to cooperate, don't you think the superconscious will hold back too?

[MariaG]

I've played around a bit in the Simpleology 101 course. One of the modules teaches a similar concept, which they call the "Law of Straight Lines."

In applying this in my own life, I've realized that I often take a circuitous path to my goals because the straight path *seems* harder or frightening. What I'm trying to manifest right now is the courage to see that the indirect path is actually much more difficult and risky. I'm building walls and obstacles to shelter myself from failure and rejection, but all that does is delay the inevitable!

[David Safar]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Taking conscious action is the point -- it's how you extract the most from superconscious action. If your conscious mind is unwilling to cooperate, don't you think the superconscious will hold back too?

It seems to me that this is a question of intent. If, as Keith says, the goal is to prove the existence of superconscious action, then taking conscious action defeats the purpose. You can't convincingly demonstrate superconscious action by taking conscious action -- with conscious action, you can acquire the feather whether superconscious action exists or not. If, on the other hand, the goal is to manifest a blue feather for its own sake without concern for how, then it makes sense to attempt to manifest it on as many different levels and in as many different ways as you can until you have it.

[StacyT]

I have lurked here for a few years, but I just had to make a quick post. I had never heard of trying to manifest something random as an experiment before, so after reading this post last night I thought it would be fun to manifest a blue feather in 24 hours.

An hour after I stated my intention, my husband came home from work and I told him what I was doing. Then he said, "I saw a feather outside yesterday and was going to pick it up and give it to the girls [our daughters] but for some reason I didn't."

SO...we went outside in the dark with a flashlight to see if it was still there. It was there, stuck in the mulch, and it turned out to be a BLUE JAY FEATHER! I was so excited that I pinned it up on my cork board above my desk as a visual reminder that anything is possible.

[Mr.Mustache]

Great article Steve, keep it up!

[A.K.Light]

With a little common sense, I don't see how this post could be misunderstood. It's solid and nothing is missing. This should actually be one of the first things that people read when they come to this website...

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by StacyT

I have lurked here for a few years, but I just had to make a quick post. I had never heard of trying to manifest something random as an experiment before, so after reading this post last night I thought it would be fun to manifest a blue feather in 24 hours.

An hour after I stated my intention, my husband came home from work and I told him what I was doing. Then he said, "I saw a feather outside yesterday and was going to pick it up and give it to the girls [our daughters] but for some reason I didn't."

SO...we went outside in the dark with a flashlight to see if it was still there. It was there, stuck in the mulch, and it turned out to be a BLUE JAY FEATHER! I was so excited that I pinned it up on my cork board above my desk as a visual reminder that anything is possible.

Well done, Stacy.

The universe is indeed a magical place.

[nownow]

There is no such thing as a direct solution, that's a fantasy concept. In the article it says "one (of many) direct solutions". How many direct solutions are there?????? How about cutting back on calories is that not more direct than trying to burn off more calories if you are trying to lose weight? The quickest solution is usually the most obvious but requires the most discipline and commitment (eg. eat less, exercise etc.). Effective solutions appear when desire and commitment and are established. A solution may stop working after some time but if commitment is there another one will be found. This article has it in reverse.

[Tanner]

Wow, I just loved this blog so much that I wanted to log on and say THANKS Steve.
I have a big day ahead of me because I'm tackling a large project directly so this was incredibly motivating
Cheers!!
(PS. EVERYONE CHECK OUT OPRAH'S ONLINE CLASS WITH ECKHART TOLLE!)

[Marelisa]

Like someone said above, this is basically the same concept as the "Law of Straight Lines" in Simpleology 101. Mark Joyner--creator of Simpleology--gives the following example:

If you want a drink of water, sit in front of a glass of water and do this:

- yell angrily at the water to see if it jumps into your mouth
- pray to God to get the water to go into your mouth
- try to impress the water so that it will go into your mouth by letting it know how many degrees you have and everything that you've accomplished
- look for a course you can buy on how to get water to go into your mouth

None of the things above will satisfy your thirst, obviously. You simply have to pick up the glass of water and drink it. In other words, stop taking unnecessary detours and stop performing inefficient acts: take the most direct action to getting what you want (like Steve says in his post; I love the example of the blue feather).

Inefficient action is usually a byproduct of not having a clear idea of what you want, and/or of emotions such as fear, worry, and anxiety.

Decide what you want and focus on it continously. By constantly holding an image of what you want in your mind, your subconscious will begin to direct your actions so that you begin to move toward that which you desire. Use a release method such as the Sedona Method or EFT to get rid of the negative emotions that get in your way.

That's my two cents,

Marelisa
- Home

[Shilpan]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Taking conscious action is the point -- it's how you extract the most from superconscious action. If your conscious mind is unwilling to cooperate, don't you think the superconscious will hold back too?

Steve,

You've made an excellent point. Those who believe in power of FAITH sometimes bet everything solely on that power and somehow believe that faith can make universe bring whatever is strongly desired. Fact is that if you want to drink a glass of water in front of you, you can pray all you want but without directing thoughts to action by picking up that glass and sipping water, nothing will happen. True power is in direct action with purpose.

Shilpan
Success Soul

[moonrambler]

I don't think anyone here is disputing the value of direct action. The issue is, that's not the point of the blue feather experiment.

[richloaguy]

I'm a loa pro mostly. I strongly believe in it and have had much success.

I first browsed this website randomly from google earlier today, and had never heard of a "blue feather experiment".

That type of thing though is great, and I suggested it in other posts just a few hours ago.

I made no effort to visualize it, or manifest it. I just blogged about it.

If you asked me if I had a feather in my house I'd probably say nope. I looked straight up from my computer to my window in front of me.

Attached to my window is a "dream catcher" it has blue strings, blue beads, and 6 white feathers dyed blue at the tips.

I swear I have never been on this site or been a member prior to today.

Now I'm excited about it so I've been commenting on it all over. It is now crumpled in a heap beside my keyboard.

I swear on my life that this is true.

wayne.

blue feathers are too easy
Next............

[roero]

well I was reading about this and was going to try it because it seemed straightforward but my understanding of LOA is that there has to be a great desire for something to happen and indeed each time I have tried it -and it worked - there was a great desire involved

my daughter said it that is would be difficult to manifest a blue feather because the request lacked enough desire.

I am going to try it but wondered how you got past that ingredient?

[movablecyn]

I've been obsessively reading everything about intentions-manifestations on the forums lately, and decided to start small and manifest a blue feather after reading this thread. It also seemed unlikely that I'd find it anywhere in my reality, so I thought it'd be fun.

I closed my eyes and set the intention with "wouldn't it be cool to manifest a blue feather in reality within 24 hours, not just something I can google online?"

Opened my eyes and read richloaguy's comment about finding a dream catcher and then I realized... HEY I have a dream catcher too. I could see the image of it in my head and was pretty sure it was blue, but I doubled check. Sure enough, it had blue, white, and pink feathers.

I know my dream catcher was there all along in my room, but I wouldn't have *thought* of or came across it in my daily life because it's below my radar.

It must have been within 2 minutes that I manifested it.

Too cool for words.