Where to Start? Look for the Problems.

I saw it so clearly, when interviewing successful women. Their financial achievement was invariably preceded by a financial challenge.

Problems have a purpose. They’re trying to get our attention.

The place to begin is admitting what’s not working in your life. It could be anything from bankruptcy or burn out; from feeling undervalued or overworked; from getting a divorce or desperately wanting one.

No matter how subtle, how small, or how sizable and scary, your willingness to face the problem head on the first step to breaking through it.

Facing a problem means looking it straight in the eye, even if you haven’t a clue what to do about it…especially if you haven’t a clue.

Face it without shame, blame or judgment. Face it even without a solution in sight. Face it—knowing that by addressing the problem, you’re heading straight to success.

Once you realize your problems are purposeful, they need no longer be painful.

Once you stop seeing them as stumbling blocks, you can start using them as stepping-stones.

Indeed, the moment you stop waiting and start acting, you have the opportunity to walk through a doorway to a richer, fuller, more abundant life.

It all boils down to this. Looking fear in the face is like throwing water on fire. Eventually, the intensity will dissipate, the fear will die down, and you can boldly move forward.

Can you pin-point a time in your life when you actually took advantage of a problem? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Comments & Feedback


Susan Bernat

January 25, 2026 AT 6:58PM

What immediately comes to mind is the very lost opportunity that, 3 weeks ago, set me back, both emotionally and psychologically. This was not a long-term injury; after speaking with my therapist, I slowly began to understand that I had not committed a sin, had not transgressed in a serious manner. I need that healthy perspective, which had alluded me.

It was the same opportunity that seems to fit the parameters of the type of situation you are asking us to recite here.

I have been employed as a State of Maine registered pharmacy technician for roughly 4 years, working under the auspices of 3 different companies. When separating from my 3rd employer, I decided that I should search elsewhere for employment, because my heart was not in this line of work. Rather the work felt easy enough; it allowed me to remain physically active during the workday; my professional obligation was limited to a 40-hour week; I could leave behind all thoughts of the job when leaving the workplace each day; and the paycheck was regular.

Near the end of December, I suddenly learned that I was being offered another temporary, hourly-wage position, for which I was qualified, and which would have placed me with a group of colleagues whom had been my co-workers in the past. I felt comfortable in that particular workplace. Moreover, the rate of pay being offered in the present, was higher than that which I had previously earned from any of the 3 companies. And knowing that the position was only temporary, it seemed like a very good opportunity indeed.

In this sense, I was trying to take advantage of a professional license that I possessed, to work in a temporary position that would have been comfortable enough for me, and from which I would have derived income satisfactory for my current circumstances.

Yet the job offer was unexpectedly rescinded when my background check did not clear quickly enough to permit me to participate in the company’s group orientation.

This felt like a bitter loss.

Where to Start? Look for the Problems.

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