June- Week 1- Problem Solving

“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to ­music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don't just stick there scowling at the problem. But don't make telephone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people's words will pour in where your lost words should be. Open a gap for them, create a space. Be patient.”
 -Hilary Mantel, British author

Who better to cite on what to do when you’re stuck than a writer, especially one known for historical fiction?  Hilary Mantel says to get away from your desk, because for her linking facts in history to a plot of her creation, cannot be easy.  I think her advice goes deeper than just stepping physically away: get away from your head. Her suggestions aren’t just about changing location; they create the kind of mental shift that quiets the constant, useless chatter. Doing something physical, or anything that requires real concentration, can interrupt that loop and make space for fresh thought.

Daily, we face dilemmas that do more than aggravate us, they consume unnecessary time and energy. Maybe you’re replaying an event in your mind, criticizing yourself for how you handled it and wishing you had done better. But is there a more useful way to look at these moments?

Throughout this blog, the idea of pausing keeps returning: stepping out of the cycle of repetition, doing the same thing and expecting a different result, or thinking the same thoughts over and over while hoping for change.

This week, when your next dilemma arises—and it will—choose the Sacred Pause. Give yourself one to five minutes away from the problem. You can decide ahead what your “step away” will be, something from Mantel’s list or just sitting and daydreaming about your favorite getaway.