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Sam Sheppard

Are you fighting gravity?

Published 5 months ago • 1 min read

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How to Stop Wasting Energy on the Wrong Problems

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Hey Reader,
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Ever feel like you’re running in circles, trying to fix something that just won’t budge? It’s exhausting.

But what if the problem isn’t actually solvable?

Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, authors of Designing Your Life, call these gravity problems.

A gravity problem is something you can’t change...like the fact that networking events drain you, or that society favours extroverts.
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You can fight against it all you want, but you won’t win.
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Gravity doesn’t care.

You reclaim your time and energy when you learn how to tell the difference between problems you can solve and ones you need to reframe.

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Reframing Problems: A Designer's Approach

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Designers view problems not as obstacles but as opportunities for innovation. By shifting our perspective, we can transform challenges into actionable steps. This process, known as 'reframing', enables us to see situations in a new light and discover solutions previously overlooked.

Steps to Identify and Reframe Your Problems:

  1. List your current challenges: write down anything that's frustrating you
  2. Sort them into two categories: Gravity Problems (things outside of your control) and Solvable Problems(things you can take action on).
  3. Reframe the solvable ones: instead of asking, Why am I always overlooked? try:
    • How can I make my strengths more visible without exhausting myself?
    • What environments allow me to thrive instead of drain me?

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Small shift. Big difference.

When you stop wrestling with the unchangeable and focus on what’s actually within your power, things start clicking into place.

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So, what’s one problem you can reframe this week? Hit reply and let me know - I’d love to hear.

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Remember, life design is an ongoing process. Stay curious, take action, and view challenges as opportunities to create the life you desire.
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And if you missed our earlier discussions on gravity problems and the designer's mindset, you can catch up here:

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In your corner, always 💛

Sam
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Sam Sheppard

Let's connect! You can find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Threads.

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P.S. When you're ready, here are three ways I can help you:

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1. Improve your confidence and wellbeing with my Introvert Success Toolkit.
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2. Get inspiration with living, not existing, through my blog.

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3. Discover how I live, not exist, with my book - this link is for the UK but it's available on Amazon worldwide, just search 'to live not exist' ;)​
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And if you enjoyed this newsletter and would like to support my work with a tip, you can do so here 💛

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P.P.S. I really value you being here, so please feel free to reply to this email with any questions, concerns or feedback and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Sam Sheppard

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