In a 1995 edition of “The Orange County Register,” a professor at McMasters University in Ontario described famed physicist Albert Einstein’s approach to solving an apocalyptic hypothetical: “When Einstein was asked how he would save the world in one hour, he said he’d spend 55 minutes defining the problem and five minutes solving it….”

It was an apocryphal quote, one which Einstein likely didn’t speak. But still, isn’t there wisdom buried there? When we come to understand our habits, vices, or unhealthy coping mechanisms (remember our “Know Thyself” lists?), we so often ask this question: Why can’t we just quit?

The alcoholic asks it this way: Why can’t I stop drinking?

The workaholic, porn-addict, or shopaholic asks it another: Why can’t I shut off the computer?

The runaholic (yes, this is a thing) asks: Why do I keep trying to outpace my problems?

How to quit—this is the solution, not the problem. In order to reach the solution, we have to define the problem. What is the problem underlying our Coping Mechanisms? They do something for us.

You know this. Don’t you?

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A Word About These Posts

Over the next year, I’m creating a series of connected pieces, each of which will build on the previous posts. It’s a running argument. A sober stream of conciousness. This series started last week, but where will it go? You’ll have to follow along to find out. So, if you’re not already signed up to receive my daily emails, you know what to do. (And while you’re here, consider picking up my books, Coming Clean and The Book of Waking Up.)