Put Your Problems on the Back Burner

Ever have a problem or challenge that you just can’t seem to solve? Perhaps you’ve stewed over it a while, tried to force a solution, and gotten frustrated in the process? You toiled away for hours or days on end to no avail. Then, all of a sudden out of nowhere an idea comes to you when you least expect it – in the shower, taking a walk, shopping for groceries.

We’ve all had this experience. I know myself in my many years doing computer programming I might hit a snag and then go absolutely insane trying to find a problem. I would toil, curse, scream, and rip my hair out and not be able to solve it. Then, if I walked away from it or simply asked someone with a fresh set of eyes to look at it – boom – there is a simple answer and the problem gets solved in a matter of minutes the path forward gets clear in an instant.

What if you could tap into this ease and power from the get go? Well you can, if you’re willing to put things on the back burner. I’ve heard this concept from different sources over time. Most recently I was reading the book “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life” by Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey and I loved the way they explained it. They said:

“The back burner of your mind works in much the same way as the back burner of a stove, slowly brewing a pot of vegetables and broth into a delicious, succulent feast of soup. All you had to do was put each of the ingredients in the pot, stir them up, and then leave them alone to cook, only periodically adding a dash of this or that and stirring the pot. A soup on the back burner needs to cool slowly; if we cook it too fast, the flavors don’t blend properly or we burn the ingredients. The back burner of a stove requires little attention; we can cook something else on the front burner at the same time.”

I loved this analogy and not just because I love to cook! If we can in fact step away from the challenge at hand and put it on the back burner a solution will be shown to us. It doesn’t mean we ignore or shirk responsibility for our challenges. What it does mean is that we tap into a more powerful way of thinking to solve them.

Here’s how I’ve found the process works best:

Recognize that you have a challenge or question that needs an answer and it is not coming to you right away.
Give yourself permission to step away from it.
Get your mind prepared to cook on the back burner by:

Clearly stating the challenge or question.
Asking for an answer or solution to show itself.
Setting a time frame for when you’ll check on the status (i.e. lift the lid and check on the cooking).
Add any details or intentions you have regarding the possible solution. (Ex: that it needs to be a win-win, for the highest good of all, etc.)
Being open to possibility. You can’t force the solution or answer to look a certain way.
Letting go

Now just allow it to simmer on the backburner.
Do not check the “pot” until the time you specified – a watched pot doesn’t boil is more than just cliché and contradicts the back-burner philosophy.
After the time has elapsed – check in and see what new insights, ideas, solutions, or answers are available to you.

If you’re someone used to “making it happen” it may be a challenge for you to start practicing putting things on the backburner. Believe me, I am one of those people and it was hard for me to detach from the “how”. Yet, with much coaxing and practice I have learned how and now find it one of the most powerful tools I know for attacking challenges, finding answers, and creating new ideas. Whenever I feel my gut contracting, my frustration mounting, and stuck-ness setting in, I give myself permission to put it on the back burner. Give it a try – I guarantee that if you surrender your doubts and fears you’ll find it quite beneficial.