Why do I hate problems so much?

I originally planned to write something else. But just now I was so distracted with a problem that changed my mood. So I think I need to reflect on why I hate problems so much. The one that I just experienced is simple. The finder window in my macbook turns to be blank or hang after I switch window with another application like chrome. It irritates me very much as I could not play around with the finder such as finding some files.

After much cursing, then I decided to find in the google. There are several suggested applications. I decided to try one and somehow it worked! I was so happy for few moments to find out soon that the problem comes back whenever I switched an application. In other word, I get the workaround to make the hang finder window to work again without restarting the whole computer. But I have not found the solution that sticks. I need to repeat the workaround everytime I switch the window.

I guess there are several reasons that I am very upset when i see problems. First, it highlights my inability on certain things in life. I tend to only work on the area that I can do well. So when there is a problem that I cannot solve immediately, I become upset as it highlights my weaknesses. Second, I like smoothness in the sense that I only appreciate the result rather than the journey. I just want everything to be what I imagine. So I don’t like it when the plan is disturbed. Because it requires flexibility and by nature I am not flexible intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Third, because I lack of time. I want to do so many things that I lack of time. I am always rushing. So I cannot afford to have a delay that is caused by unexpected problems.

So how do I handle this tendency to be frustrated by the problems? Let’s change my perspective. First, let the problem highlight the importance of learning which I like. Consider problems as something interesting to solve with a safety net that it’s ok if we couldn’t solve it. We may be able to solve it at a later date or find a friend who can solve it. Second, consider problems as exercise where I can use my emotional muscle for being flexible. Third, treasure time and use it optimally so that we can have some buffer when a problem comes.