How To Solve a Problem Like a Genius

Everyone has problems in life. For the most part, we are able to quickly solve them without much trouble. We either come up with a quick solution or use a strategy that worked in the past. For example, if you overslept in the morning and are going to be late for work, you might decide to call work and explain your situation while getting dressed and ready in half the usual time.
Problems become more difficult when there is no obvious solution and strategies that you have tried in the past don’t work.

During these times you can follow some problem-solving techniques which may reduce the charge and may even solve it completely. 

1. Is There Really a Problem

Most of your problem can dissolve here itself. Many times we create our own imaginary problems. This happens with most of us. So relax a bit. And think about if this is really a big problem.

Is it something that will matter in 5 years? Or even in 5 weeks? Life becomes so less stressful when you stop making a mountain out of molehills (or just out of thin air).

2. Don't avoid rather try to solve

When you see a problem coming and you know that you need to face it someday, don't try to delay instead get of hold of it and try to find the solution as early as you can. Remember

“Problems are to the mind what exercise is to the muscles, they toughen and make strong.”

3. Identify the issue

Be clear about what the problem is. Focus on the problem itself. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the situation? (eg: I am not getting a job)
• What would I like the situation to be? (eg: I got a well-paying job)
• What is the obstacle that is keeping me from my desired situation? (eg: maybe lack of desired skills)

4. List out the possible solutions

This is the time to do some brainstorming. There may be lots of room for creativity. You need to spend 90% of your time in finding the solution and 10% time worrying about the situation. Make sure that the solutions are practical in nature. Make sure you have a variety of solution. Listing more number of solutions will make the task easier. 

Ask for help: If you are having a hard time coming up with new and different solutions to your problem, ask friends, family or coworkers for advice. Other people might have ideas that you have not even thought of.

5. Find the optimal solution out of the listed feasible solutions

Best way to do it is to virtually apply the solution and think about how the situation will change. Try to be rational as it will lead you closer to reality. Think about the pros and cons, and be honest to yourself. 

Ask yourself

Will this solution fix my problem and help me reach my goals?

How much time and effort does this solution involve?

6. A solid strategy

Now you only need a solid strategy to implement your solution to the fullest. Without a strategy, change is merely substitution, not evolution. Never shoot from the hip when problem-solving. Avoid guessing. Take enough time to step back and assess the situation and the opportunities that each problem represents. Make the problem-solving process more efficient by recognizing that each problem has its own nuances that may require a distinct strategy towards a viable resolution.

I have found that there is almost always a positive side to a problem. Finding this more positive part of the problem reduces its negative emotional impact. You may even start to see the situation as a great opportunity for you. Problem-solving is the greatest enabler for growth and opportunity. This is why they say failure serves as the greatest lesson in business and in life.

Now let's see how one of the greatest minds in the present times solve his problems

Elon Musk's 3- step First Principles Thinking

First-principles thinking is basically the practice of actively questioning every assumption you think you know about a given problem or scenario and then creating new knowledge and solutions from scratch. Almost like a newborn baby. Essentially, first principles thinking will help you develop a unique worldview to innovate and solve difficult problems in a way that nobody else can even fathom.

Step 1: Identify and define your assumptions

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

When you’re faced with a problem, don’t skip to an answer right away. Start instead by asking an interesting question, preferably that hasn't been done before.

Look at the difference between these two questions:

1. How can I improve on cars?
2. What are the necessary features of a good car?

Musk thinks in the latter terms, which allows him to work from a clean slate and make something new.

When next you're faced with a familiar problem or challenge, simply write down your assumptions about them. (You can stop here and write these down now.)

Step 2:  Break down the problem into its fundamental principles

"It is important to view knowledge as sort of semantic tree. Make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e., the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to." —Elon Musk

These fundamental principles are basically the most basic truths or elements of anything.

The best way to uncover these truths is to ask powerful questions that uncover these ingenious gems.
Gather as much evidence as possible about the assumptions. Try and challenge them by digging into the fundamentals. 
Instead of following the socially accepted beliefs that battery packs were expensive, Musk challenges these beliefs by asking powerful questions that uncover the basic truths or elements, e.g., carbon, nickel, aluminium. Then he creates ingenious innovative solutions from scratch.

Step 3: Create solutions from scratch

Once you've identified and broken down your problems or assumptions into their most basic truths, you can begin to create new insightful solutions from scratch.

Once you listed some solutions. Now pick each solution and try to reason why this solution is wrong. Even if you have enough evidence to feel comfortable in your conclusion, you should still seek others' advice. Otherwise, you could fall into the trap of confirmation bias -- seeking out evidence that proves you are right, rather than evidence that could prove you are wrong -- or other problems. You will always look at something from a certain point of view, and adding new input will help find whether there are any holes in your axioms.
If nobody can invalidate your solution then you are probably right.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when creating them"- Albert Einstein