I got paid to solve problems for three years. This is my go-to process.

2 min readApr 1, 2022

I had three jobs in the first three years of my career: management consulting, tech research, and corporate strategy.

They all boil down to one thing: problem-solving.

Why is this $12M product under-performing?
How can we replace a fulfillment app in <4 weeks?
What startups should we partner with?

You don’t learn this stuff in school. The answers aren’t on the internet. Trust me I’ve looked. And yet we have to deal with ambiguous problems like this all the time.

Here’s what works for me.

#1 — Start with Why

The worst problem-solving mistake you can make is solving the wrong one.

Get clear on why the problem is worth your time, energy and attention before you get going.

#2 — Understand the First Principles

Problems need to be solved in the real world.

It’s easy to get hung up on what the world should be like. If you know the rules of the game, the “first principles”, you’ll find a real solution.

#3 — Build a Framework

One of my bosses always encouraged my team to create frameworks.

When my teammates got excited about how well they worked, my boss would sarcastically say this:

“Isn’t it funny how actually thinking through a problem, helps you solve it?”

Frameworks don’t have to be complicated, we use them all the time.

[Task] → [Framework]
Groceries → List
Writing → Outline
Meeting → Agenda
Finances → Budget

Things go better when we make a plan.

#4 — Create Systems, NOT Goals

Create a system, not a goal.

Instead of worrying about hitting a benchmark, spend your energy creating a system that helps you execute.

#5 — Change Your Mind

The thinking that got you here, won’t get you there.

To change your outcomes, it helps to change your mind.

It’s best to iterate. This process will work, but only if you act on it.

All you need to do is grab a pen, some paper, your biggest problem, and 30 minutes. When you’ve finished step #5, take action immediately.

With a little real world feedback, your problem will be gone before you know it.

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