How You Should Eliminate Problems (Part I)

Adler Updates Ancient Philosophy

What if you could put the stop all of your problems? Imagine if you could live your life alongside others in harmony, being self-reliant with confidence.

That’s what psychologist Alfred Adler of the early 20th-century proposes. And not only that it’s possible, but it can be achieved in as little time as reading this series of posts.

I understand this sounds far-fetched. Also, I know what it feels like when the past and the present drag you down. Since overcoming two mental health-related hospitalizations and studying philosophy every day since 2020, I will share to you what will eliminate your problems, or at the least reduce them dramatically.

To eliminate one’s problems, simply follow the following three steps:

1. Carry out the separation of tasks.
2. Deny the desire for recognition.
3. Be earnest but not too serious.
   

Today will cover the first of these three steps.

While what’s ahead will help you immensely, still, I recommend reading the Courage to Be Disliked and, then, the Courage to Be Happy, which both explain Adler’s ideas in detail and effectively.¹

Carry Out the Separation of Tasks

First, all problems, Adler argues, are interpersonal relationship problems.

Let’s imagine you’re the only human in existence: your problems of hunger, thirst, and shelter are problems of nature. Therefore, they’re not so much problems as they are realities of being a living thing, let alone a happy living thing.

Furthermore, all joy is interpersonal relationship joy, which given this example makes sense — you wouldn’t be thrilled being the only human being. Having never encountered a human, though, you wouldn’t know what you’re missing, too.

So if we agree that all problems are interpersonal relationship problems and all joy is interpersonal relationship joy — and that being the only human in existence is an impossibility — we can address one of the biggest offenders in creating problems in our lives: attempting to intrude on other people’s tasks.

Our Tasks

What’s considered a “task”? Adler determines there are only three, including: (1) tasks of love relationships (which includes our family), tasks of friendship relationships, and tasks of work relationships.

Each of these domains require us to determine whose task is whose, which is to carry out the separation of tasks.

To achieve self-reliance and being in harmony with society, you need to do your tasks and your tasks alone. When you want to control something you can’t control, what’s another’s task, it becomes a source for problems.

But how do we determine which task is whose?

In Practice

When carrying out the separation of tasks, ask yourself the following question: Who ultimately is going to receive the end result brought about by that choice? Severing a relationship, for instance, is your task. The end result is another person being severed from your life, so you should not wait for the other person to do this for you. Problems will develop, certainly, if you don’t take action.

Likewise, if at work your boss expects you to work overtime, and they even threaten to let you go, that’s not your task. It is your task, however, to have other jobs lined up in case you are let go — that isn’t up to you.

Apart from choosing to blame others or pity yourself, asking yourself, “What should I do from now on?”, is the only choice you can and should make to avoid the risk of intruding on other people’s tasks, sprouting a world of problems for ourselves.

And to ensure that doesn’t happen, answer “What should I do from now on?” with the following statement: “What I should do is face my own tasks in my own life without lying.” Then, move from there; and as the book’s title suggests, act with courage.

Conclusion

Carry out the separation of tasks. This is key to eliminating so much of life’s problems.

For part II of this blog post, I’ll explain the second step expressed above; a step that, when coupled with the principle discussed today, will eliminate virtually all of your problems.

None of this might not be easy, but neither is always the pursuit of superiority. Experiencing feelings of the inferiority, on the other hand, is the only alternative. Choose wisely; choose courage; choose your own tasks.

1. These books depict a conversation between a philosopher and a youth. It provides argument from both sides with what can be considered controversial ideas. You will feel challenged, not lectured. ↩