🧩 What’s a “Good Problem”?

 

Most people spend their lives trying to avoid problems. They think a “good life” means a life without stress, conflict, or discomfort. But here’s the truth: a life without problems isn’t a life. It’s stagnation. The trick isn’t to get rid of problems — it’s to have better ones. That’s what I call good problems.

The Beauty of Better Problems

A “good problem” is a challenge that comes from progress, not pain. It’s the kind of problem you earn by growing. For example: You used to worry about paying your bills. Now you worry about how to invest your savings wisely. You used to worry about finding a client. Now you worry about turning away work because your schedule is full. Those are good problems. They don’t disappear as you grow — they evolve with you. ---

The Upgrade of Problems

When you level up in life, your problems level up too. The difference is, you get better at choosing which ones are worth your energy. That’s why some people who appear “successful” are actually miserable. They’ve collected the wrong problems — too many meetings, too little meaning. Meanwhile, others with fewer resources feel alive, because they’ve chosen better battles. It’s not about the size of your problems. It’s about their quality. ---

From Avoidance to Acceptance

We’re wired to avoid discomfort. But the moment we stop running from problems, something shifts. We begin to see that every good thing in life — love, career, health, mastery — comes with its own set of problems. Love demands patience. Fitness demands discipline. Success demands trade-offs. You can’t have one without the other. The goal is not to escape them — it’s to pick the ones that are worth it. ---

The Art of Choosing Your Problems

Here’s a question worth asking: “Are my current problems the kind I want to keep?” If your problem is “I’m bored,” maybe you need a more meaningful challenge. If your problem is “I’m overwhelmed,” maybe you’re doing too much of what doesn’t matter. If your problem is “I’m scared,” maybe you’re finally on the edge of something real. Good problems make you grow. Bad problems keep you stuck. ---

The Quiet Wisdom of a Good Problem

Mark Manson once said, “Don’t hope for a life without problems. Hope for a life full of good problems.” That’s a simple idea — but it changes everything. Next time you feel stressed, don’t rush to fix it. Ask yourself first: “Is this stress coming from growth or fear?” If it’s growth, lean in. That’s not something to avoid. That’s your life expanding. Because in the end, a good problem is just another word for progress.