It’s said that there are two things in life that are certain – taxes and death. We could add another certainty to this – problems. But, depending on how you and I view our problems, they need not be the negative and obstructive forces we think they are. So, instead of avoiding your problems or hating them, why not try another approach to them?

You might not think so, but the problems of life contain the keys to our success, wealth and fulfilment. The problem is that we don’t recognise their potential and so miss out on wonderful opportunities to achieve the goals that life has set before us.

The first thing you need to do if you want to use problems as the key to success is accept that problems are a fact of life. You will look long and hard to come across someone in this life who has not had to deal with problems of some sort. Yes, some people have bigger problems than others, and everyone’s problems are different - some have financial problems, some have health problems, some have relationship problems, and the list goes on. The fact is, rich or poor, healthy or sick, loved or unloved, we all have to deal with problems in our lives.

If problems are a fact of life, then, there must be a reason for them. And there is. Problems contain opportunity for us to learn something – about ourselves, about others or about life in general – if we will open our minds to what they trying to teach us. So, when you encounter a problem, instead of wasting your energy on trying to avoid the problem or complain about it, face it, embrace it, and look for the lesson it contains for you. Then work at solving the problem and learn the lesson/s as you solve it. Such lessons are what will cause you to increase in knowledge, understanding and wisdom - three key attributes that you require for success and happiness.

Secondly, recognise that there are two kinds of problems in life – your own problems, and other people’s problems.

You have to deal with and conquer your own personal problems as fast and as best as you can. If you don’t do this and allow them to continue existing in your life, you will spend a great amount of time and energy wrestling with them. When you do this, you will remain trapped by those problems and they will prevent you from achieving the success and fulfilment you desire and deserve.

Other people’s problems are also an opportunity for you. Our value in life is determined by the problems we can solve. If you become good at solving other people’s problems, you will increase in value, and value (money) will start flowing toward you. When you truly understand this revelation, it will change the way you live and work. If you can solve a problem your boss has, if you can ease his pain in some or other way, you will find that, over time, doors will open for you and, if you recognise the opportunities that wait for you through these doors, you will grow in stature and substance. You will be rewarded for solving the problems. The reward may come in the form of a promotion, an increase, a bonus or, if you are not recognised in your own company, a job offer at another company if you put your CV out. No-one can say for certain how the reward will come, but it will …

Apply yourself to every problem you encounter, whether the problem is yours or someone else’s. Ask yourself what opportunity the problem is presenting to you. Remind yourself that problems are meant to be solved. They aren’t meant to remain unsolved, but will remain in existence for as long as it takes for them to be solved.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s going to be easy. It’s not. It will take you time, effort, commitment, sacrifice, humility, determination and resilience – qualities that are not easy to come by. But for the person who is prepared to look life in the face and deal with what comes their way, there waits a reward from life that you would not have dreamed of.

You and I were meant to be problem solvers, and it’s when we realise that this is one of our key roles and our calling in life that we start moving in a direction that takes us to success, wealth and fulfilment. So what are you waiting for? Start identifying those problems and set about finding solutions for them.