The Road Less Traveled
    A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Problem-Solving and Time

- Anyone can solve any problem if we are willing to take the time
- Many people simply do not take the time necessary to solve many of life's problems
- Need to be willing to tolerate discomfort long enough to analyze & solve the problem
    - Requires discipline to take time necessary to analyze family problems and develop
            well-thought-out and effective solutions
- Defect: hoping that problems will go away
    - People think that they can "avoid the hassle"
- Problems do not go away
    - Must be worked through
    - Otherwise, they remain, forever a barrier to growth
- Ignoring problems is simply unwillingness to delay gratification
- To confront problem early, before being forced to confront it due to circumstances
    - Put aside something pleasant for something more painful
- Most parents will perceive problems with children long before taking effective action
- The longer problems are ignored, the larger they become and the more difficult to solve

We can solve any problems if we take the time. However, one aspect of inability to delay gratification is to not face problems until we are forced to deal with them. Not solving problems early makes them more difficult to solve later.