[Series 015] "So, What's the Actual Problem?" - The Power of Problem Definition

1. 55 Minutes to Think, 5 Minutes to Solve

Albert Einstein is famously quoted as saying:

"If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions."

We usually do the opposite. When we hit a snag—whether it's a dip in our savings, a fight with a friend, or a project going off the rails—we spend less than a minute thinking before we jump straight to "solutions."

"Should I switch gyms?" "Should I just text them sorry?" "Should I pull an all-nighter?"

We rush because we're anxious. But applying a solution to a poorly defined problem is like climbing a ladder leaning against the wrong wall. It doesn't matter how fast you climb; you won't get where you want to go.

If a problem persists, it’s not because you lack ability. It’s because you don’t know what the actual problem is.

2. Ambiguity is the Enemy

Our minds are cluttered. We say things like, "I'm just so overwhelmed with work lately." That is not a problem definition. That is a complaint about a condition. Let's say you ask an AI for help with that vague statement:

• Me: "I'm so overwhelmed. What should I do?"
• AI: "Prioritise your tasks and get some rest."

You get a generic, useless answer. Vague questions get vague answers. You cannot solve a problem that is stuck in a giant lump. You have to break it down. The most effective tool for this is the "Subject + Verb + Object" sentence structure.

3. Find the Subject and Verb, Find the Solution

Force your complex situation into a single, clear sentence. The fog will lift, and the "real problem" will reveal itself.

[Scenario 1: Money Troubles]

❌ Bad Definition: "I'm always broke at the end of the month. I'm terrible with money." (Vague self-blame)

⭕ Good Definition: "I (Subject) spend $200 a month on takeout coffee (Object) because I don't leave the house early enough to make it."

→ The Fix: Stop blaming your personality. Just set your alarm 10 minutes earlier or buy a coffee machine.

[Scenario 2: Workplace Conflict]

❌ Bad Definition: "My manager, Steve, is a nightmare. He micromanages everything." (Emotional blaming)

⭕ Good Definition: "I (Subject) failed to provide proactive updates (Object), causing Steve to constantly check in on me due to anxiety."

→ The Fix: You can't change Steve's personality. But you can change the workflow. Send him a daily update before he asks. The micromanaging will stop.

When the sentence is clear, the action plan becomes obvious. By making "I" the subject, you focus on variables you can control.

4. AI Loves Clarity

Let’s ask the AI again. A well-defined problem turns ChatGPT or Gemini into a top-tier consultant.

• Me (After Definition): "I am overwhelmed because I cannot say no (Cause) and have taken on tasks from other departments (Context). Please write a polite but firm email template to decline new requests and clarify my current scope of work."
• AI: (Provides a perfect script to set boundaries without burning bridges.)

See the difference? Complaints get sympathy. Defined problems get action plans. AI is a mirror; if your thinking is sharp, the answer will be sharp.

5. Stop and Think

The world tells us to move fast. So when trouble hits, our instinct is to run. But if you don't know the direction, do not run.

When you face a complex mess, take out a piece of paper. Write the situation down in one sentence: Subject + Verb + Object. If you can't write that sentence, you don't know what the problem is yet.

Once that sentence is complete, the 55 minutes of thinking are over. You can solve it in the remaining 5 minutes. Don't just solve the problem; define it first.