How To Save Dogs
Don't read if you hate dogs
We rush the problem definition process and wonder why the problem never gets solved. We end up choosing the most obvious problem, come to agreement quickly and solve the problem. The issue with that is the real problem isn’t usually so obvious. We solve the symptom, not the root cause.
“The way we define a problem shapes everyone’s perspective about it and determines the solutions.” (Parrish, 127)
LA Dog Shelter - Getting to The Root
For instance, Shane gives a great example of an animal shelter in Los Angeles that defined their problem well to make a massive impact. Most animal shelters solve the problem of “we have so many animals without homes”. This specific shelter took another approach and solved the problem “people are abandoning their pets”.
They spent time finding out why people give up their pets and then instituted programs to help pay for pet food, get proper medical care and more. The results were amazing. They kept more animals off the streets at a fraction of the cost of constantly finding new families for every single pet. Notice the key difference was the way they defined the problem. By changing the problem definition, they changed the way they look at the problem.
Defining The Problem To Get Results
A few pieces of advice from Shane Parrish on ensuring proper problem definition are:
Have one person in charge of defining and writing out the problem. Everyone can help, but only one person signs his name on the paper with the definition. This creates accountability and ensures there is an agreed upon definition moving forward.
Separate problem definition meetings and problem solving meetings. This stops everyone from rushing ahead to solving the first problem we see.
To make sure you’re solving the root cause, ask “what would have to be true for this problem not to exist in the first place?”
It’s easier for people to solve problems than define them. It makes us feel productive and smart (ego default) whereas spending time defining the problem feels like a waste. Using the tips outlined above, we can prevent our ego default from speeding us up and solving the wrong problem.
Brains Gains
Do you have a problem that keeps coming up no matter how many times you solve it?
Now go have an amazing day. Enjoy it. Savor it. Life is short.
Your Friend,
Noah “BigNerd” Sochaczevski
PS. Here’s a short clip on an interesting problem definition idea from Alex Hormozi - the best way to solve problems is to decide they aren’t problems