We have all done it. Put off a conversation that needs to be had, not put an end to a rotten relationship, let a rude colleague slide or put up with a bully-boss. Not today, we said. We smeared the issue with salve and slapped a band aid on it. It still stung, but not quite as much.   A salve is not always a bad thing if the intent is to give you time to create a productive game plan and move to a solution. But when you're going into anaphylactic shock from being covered in band aids, it's time to 'solve' some of those problems because ultimately letting them go without addressing them chips away at your happiness and well-being.

Grab a piece of paper and make three columns. In column one list three to five items you are salving;   title column two 'the cost of salving' and title column three 'benefits of solving'. Fill out your template as completely as you can paying attention to the emotions you feel while describing the issues, the costs of continuing to salve and the benefits of addressing them. Decide which one if addressed would make the most difference in your life and get to creating a solving plan. Pick them off one at a time or give the issue to the real owner if necessary (that is still a solve).  For all of you 'summer-salvers', salve now but get to solving in the fall! 

The key to this is maintenance, becoming aware of when you are' salving' and when you are solving and then putting a plan in place to move to solve.

Initially pulling off the band aid may sting a little, but in the long run it will hurt a lot less.