Think About Solving Problems

Photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash

When presented with a problem, Nicholas C. Zakas has settled on a set of 5 questions he asks himself for each problem as it arises. Asking these questions, in order, helps him make the best decision possible:

1. Is this really a problem?
2. Does the problem need to be solved?
3. Does the problem need to be solved now?
4. Does the problem need to be solved by me?
5. Is there a simpler problem I can solve instead?

I especially like the first one, as opinions are often mistaken for problems.

How I think about solving problems →