Are you sure you are trying to solve the right problem?
Merlin Mann observed:
Good advice helps you find the solution to your problem
Great advice helps you find you were solving the wrong problem
So the question is:
Are you really trying to solve the right problem?
There are many reasons why it is sometimes easier to ignore the real problem and instead spend your time and energy on tangential problems.
In some cases it is as simple as focusing on the obvious things that could be done to make some sort of progress - technology often provides possible solutions - but when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Instead you need to look past obvious, or comfortable, solutions to make sure you are really addressing the root problem.
Of course this is worded differently in the famous 5 Why Technique:
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
- Sakichi Toyoda(QQ75382)
When have you been focusing on the wrong problem in the past? In what ways are you doing it now? What are you afraid of?
Asked by: Merlin Mann
https://github.com/merlinmann/wisdom/blob/master/wisdom.md
All questions with these tags: Honesty - Assumptions - Priorities
(Image from Folios from the Laudario of Sant'Agnese :: seemsArtless )
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