
Understanding a problem deeply is a superpower
↳ As a 5-time company founder
↳ With over 753 strategic plans created
I’ve had to learn how to slow down and think effectively
This 3-step framework will shortcut making good decisions ↓
Step 1: Gather Information.
Get clear about what you need to know to make a good decision.
Too often we jump to solution-mode when the best decisions are made by thinking carefully with full context.
You can:
- Research the history and context
- Talk to people affected by the problem (yes, actually talk to them, don’t just read shit on Reddit)
- Think about similar situations you’ve faced in the past and what happened.
Step 2: Analyze
There’s no one-size-fits-all for understanding problems, but –
Use this template to guide your approach:
- Look for patterns / trends
- Determine the root causes
- Assess the impact on the organization
- Think about what’s working and what’s not working now
- Invert the problem – could it be an opportunity?
- Use my list of Mental Models (see below) to think about it from every angle.
Tips:
- Be objective & unbiased
- Use data to support your conclusions, not just ‘gut’
- Consider pulling other people into the analysis – especially those who don’t think like you
Step 3: Synthesize to Solve
In problem-solving, you always have 3 steps:
Understand it, analyze it, solve it.
You’ve done the groundwork. Now you have the data, you’ve examined it from different angles.
Now write. The best way to truly solve a problem is to write everything down as if you’re explaining it to someone else.
In fact, if you can’t write it down, you don’t really understand it.
If you don’t have time to write it down, you’re going to fast and won’t get good results.
WRITE IT DOWN.
When you write it – having the groundwork of understanding, and having spent the time thinking – you’ll solve it.
It may be easier said than done.
But jumping to solutions without deep understanding is the hardest of all.
P.S. – want my list of 128 mental models for Entrepreneurs? It’s free inside my entrepreneur resource site – CEO Workbench.