Problems are rarely isolated. Most often, there are multiple layers, and a number of contingencies and dependencies.

One helpful practice is to consider, “What’s the problem I’m trying to solve?” We might even need to ask this more than once to find clarity.

But an equally valuable question is this: “Are there related problems I need to address first?”

These related problems can be practical (I need to buy a certain ingredient before I can begin cooking) but they can also be personal (I need to overcome my fear of embarrassment in order to ask for help).

It’s these personal considerations that can be quietly limiting. We tend to dismiss them in service of the “larger” problems. But this can be a mistake.

Pause. See the bigger picture. Triage the situation. Allow yourself the grace to do what’s needed.

Some things that can rise to the top: eat, rest, sleep, mourn, forgive, trust, listen, heal, ask, allow.

When we address problems in the proper sequence, we often travel with more ease and to greater effect.