Quality Problems – Problems Of The “Rich” People

I have a quality problem. After traveling non-stop for over 5+ years, I was stopped at the Singapore border where border control was hesitant to allow me into their country. The problem arose from the numerous stamps in my passport, leading customs to inquire about the purpose of my extended travels, how I financed my trips, and whether I planned on seeking employment in Singapore. I spent 3 hours talking with different investigators before they finally, but  reluctantly allowed me entry. This was a frustrating experience, one that could have easily been avoided if I hadn’t traveled so much…

Quality Problems Definition

A quality problem is a problem of having too much of something, which “rich” people have. However, when I say “rich,” I’m not just referring to those who are financially wealthy. It can also apply to people who have an abundance in other areas. For example, someone may have so many friends that they struggle to find time to spend with all of them. Or they may be so physically fit that they feel guilty indulging in unhealthy foods. And, of course, it can also pertain to financial wealth, where someone has so much money that it causes tension among their friends, who feel “poor” in relation to that friend. In my own case, I consider myself “rich” because I have been fortunate enough to travel so much and because of this blog, as I consider myself very happy.

People without quality problems often look at people with quality problems and laugh. Sometimes they even get angry. “Surely you are exaggerating!” — they will say. I mean, when a person doesn’t have enough money, can’t find a new friend, feels negative all the time, or has never traveled in their life, comparing themselves to someone who has it “too good” to the point that it hurts means that they cannot relate to that person’s suffering and, in a way, they find that person’s suffering to be even desired. However, to a person experiencing quality problems, these problems are realistic, important, and they really suffer over them.

Or as Grant Cardone wrote in his book The 10X Rule:

“Take so much action that you have new problems because of how much action you take.”

I love this saying, but it actually sucks to be on the other side of it.

Solutions To Quality Problems

Hearing a quality problem, most people will say something like, “Just stop traveling” or “just discard some of your friends” or “just give other people some of your money.” If it were so easy… I mean, yes, a person could do all of the above, but often they feel they had to work hard to get these quality problem, so why should they give them up?

Still, here is some happiness advice, which applies to dealing with quality problems:

1) Deal with the quality problem in the same way as a normal problem – Life is full of problems, some of them are problems of having too little, while others are problems of having too much. But there must be a solution to both problems, which we can find if we just think the problem through.

2) Look for pros and cons – Every situation (even a problem) is good and bad at the same time. We just need to find out why it is so. Focusing on the positive side of problem-solving situations will give us more energy to be proactive in our lives, while excessive focus on the negative side will take away from that energy and is more likely to lead to overthinking and procrastination.

3) Accept the consequences – It sucks to have a problem, right? But you have it, and now you have to move on. The sooner you accept the new situation and what it means for your life, the faster you will move on.

4) Focus on a solution – The best way to accept the consequences is to find a solution to your problem and execute it. Stagnation is where you will find the most pain, so avoid this situation and act as soon as possible.

As for me, for the time being, I am planning to continue traveling non-stop and see how long I can get away with this lifestyle. Certainly, there will be consequences to this “good life,” but when they arise, I will deal with them accordingly. I mean, I may be stopped again at some border and not allowed to go into some country, but so what? I can just rebook my ticket and go somewhere else.

What about you? Do you have any quality problems in your life? If so, let me know in the comments!