Solving Problems Using The FACTS Versus OPINION System - by Garry O. Blanson

When it comes to the circumstances in our lives,why do we keep mixing " FACTS " with “ OPINIONS ?” You would think that it would be easy for us to tell the difference.Surprisingly,it's not as easy as it seems. I guess it is because of the way we have been conditioned by our previous experiences.Never-the-less,we keep mixing the two of them together,causing us more grief and trouble than necessary. If only we could learn to separate the two. I've been told that the way we perceive a situation is much more important than how it appears to be. In the words of Shakespeare," Nothing is either good or bad, Thinking makes things So ." It would do us good to keep this in mind whenever we are faced with a problem.Instead, of just automatically viewing it as a problem, why not try and separate the facts from the opinions. Believe it or not, the process is pretty simple. All you need is a couple of sheets of paper or a notebook, and a pen or pencil.On the first sheet of paper, write down all your thoughts about the problem and how you feel about the problem( use two or three sheets, if needed ). On the next sheet of paper,draw a straight line down the center of the page.At the top of one side of the sheet of paper write FACTS, on the other side write OPINIONS.Using the page or pages you used to write your thoughts about the problem,list each thought as either a FACT or OPINION.When you finish listing your thoughts, examine the thoughts that you listed as OPINION " FIRST!"For each OPINION listed, ask yourself, Where did this OPINION come from{ you,your parents, grand-parents, relatives, t.v. ,radio, school, church,etc }? After discovering where you got the OPINION from,DECIDE whether or not you would like to hold on to this OPINION( you do not have to, if you do not want to ). Now examine the thoughts that you listed as FACTS.Which FACTS do you feel like you can tackle by your self ? Which FACTS do you think you need someone to help you with ?Ok,get two sheets of paper[ on one sheet of paper, list the FACTS that you can accomplish by yourself ; on the other sheet, list the FACTS that you need someone to help you with ].You can go ahead and get started on the list that you feel that you can get done by yourself.Also,write down a time of 30 - 45 minutes when you will brainstorm to see who you can get to help you with your list that you need help with. I believe that this little system will help many of you get over the procrastination habit that always seems to keep people from being more productive [Go ahead and "DO-IT-NOW!"]. Please don't forget to go to FACEBOOK and like my page: https://www.facebook.com/Garry-O-Blanson-115049231930571/?fref=hovercard