From Frustration to Solution: A Mindset Shift

Oct. 2

Hand drawn cartoon for gratitude on narrow thinking

We recently got approved for financing to add solar panels to our home. It’s a pretty sweet financing arrangement and I wish I could say the process went as sweet.

Let’s back up.

I’ve got everything entered into the online system and it looks good so I hit, SUBMIT. Within 48 hours the adjudicator has a clarification.

"Your mailing address is not the same as the address where you want to install the solar panels. We need a government issued ID with an address that matches the address for the installation. Please provide."

I explain, "This has been our primary residence for 3 years and a different mailing address has never been an issue to date. There must be something we can do. I’m willing to sign an affidavit. Can we book a quick call to discuss ?"

"Sorry Mr. Foran, the guidelines are very stringent and require this so there’s no point in speaking."

This sends me. Two days later I get a message that our application has been denied.

Fortunately there’s an appeal process and even more fortunately, the person I speak with is very understanding because my mindset is in the wrong spot. I come into the call focused on two big issues. "The process was cumbersome because they wouldn't speak with me and they wouldn’t budge from the guidelines. I’m willing to sign an affidavit !"

He hears me out and is very empathetic. Then he says, "Do you think you could get an updated driver’s license ?"

And then it strikes me, I got hooked by my own thinking. "Ah, yes I guess I can."

22 dollars and 30 minutes later I have my updated driver’s license. I send it to the adjudicator and within the hour, our application is approved.

It never ceases to amaze me how I can get so narrow minded, I totally lose perspective on the big picture.

So for you, are you stuck with an issue now ? Have you lost sight of an overall objective after unknowingly getting hooked by your own narrow minded thinking ?