What is Solomon's Paradox and How You Can Use it to Succeed.

Have you ever noticed that you give excellent advice to others, but struggle to apply that same wisdom to your own life? That's the Solomon Paradox in action. Named after the biblical King Solomon, known for his wisdom and failure with his own affairs. It describes the tendency for individuals to reason more wisely about other people's problems than their own.

Why Does This Happen?

Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:

• Emotional Distance: When we're emotionally invested in a situation, our judgment can be clouded. Helping others allows us to maintain a detached, objective perspective.

• Cognitive Framing: We often frame other people's problems in broader, more abstract terms, which facilitates wiser reasoning. Our own problems, on the other hand, tend to be mired in the specifics of our personal experiences.

• Social Expectations: We feel a sense of responsibility to offer sound advice to others, which can motivate us to engage in more careful and deliberate thinking.

How Can You Use This?

Here are a few techniques you can use to leverage the Solomon Paradox in your own life:

• Third-Person Perspective: When faced with a difficult decision, try writing about it as if it were happening to a friend or colleague. Use third-person pronouns (he, she, they) to create a sense of distance.

• Journaling: Regularly reflect on the advice you give to others. Look for patterns and insights that you can apply to your own challenges.

• Mentorship: By mentoring others, you can reinforce your own knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of effective problem-solving.

As a business coach, I experience this regularly. Often I am able to gain perspective on my own business as I connect with clients.

The Power of Collaboration

While the Solomon Paradox highlights our ability to reason wisely about others, it also underscores the importance of collaboration and seeking external perspectives. Find an individual, group, or coach you can rely on to provide the proper perspective. A word of caution, if they are "invested" in your business they may not have that outside perspective you believe they have.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to helping you on your journey!