Do you give better advice than you take?

I tend to give better advice to others than I give myself. Offer more successful problem solving suggestions than I use in my own life. But I never stopped to ask myself why. Am I too close to the problem to separate productive thoughts from those overwhelming ones? Too proud to be vulnerable enough to see situations as they truly are? I believe the barrier between solutions I offer and solutions I choose is my natural response to seek temporary satisfaction. 


Whether it be relationship, family, career, lifestyle, or everyday stressors, my deep and intuitive problem solving skills seem to shine brightest for my friends or even a stranger seeking guidance than in scenarios which include myself. So why can’t I remove myself from the story when working towards my own solution? Take a step away from the problem engulfing me and allow room to think rationally. I must reorganize my thoughts, filtering out those created by my pressured, unsatisfied and worried mind.  


When hoping to guide someone else’s path into a positive place, I focus on general areas of success. What do they want? What will ultimately lead them to their goals? What might hurt them more than benefit them and what might provide a “good pain” in order to achieve ultimate success? But for myself, I have a tendency to act impatiently. Naturally, options that give me temporary satisfaction excite me, even though those options would never be suggestions in good faith. So why can’t I treat myself as a person who deserves ultimate reward? Trust in my ability to do the work and have the patience to bring a positive outcome to fruition. Temporary satisfaction isn’t respecting my goals. It isn’t even “good pain.” Temporary satisfaction is more like bad arousal. The tease before a tumble. It is what manipulates my problem solving from productive to harmful. The actions that prove disrespectful to myself. Prevent me from ultimately achieving what I deserve. 


I must take a step away from the situation I am in when deciding how to move forward. Recognize what choices present themselves with bows and pretty wrapping paper only to be torn apart to scraps. The gifts of success aren’t handed to me in a pretty box. Success is acquired with strength and passion. Hard work, patience and determination. I’m the one wrapping these gifts, creating them and presenting them to myself. I will attain the full reward and remain on a straighter and longer line to satisfaction if I don’t take shortcuts that derail me. 


I have the answers and I have the ability to incorporate them into my life, but I must separate my toxic mind from my productive mind. I must give myself the advice I would give to someone whose life I can see without distracted eyes. Eyes that attract more sustained happiness. Solution that has a positive impact not just for a moment, but for a lifetime.