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If you know me, this may NOT come as a shock, but I am terribly impatient. I guess it’s the curse of an (humble) genius. Only kidding (at least on the genius part).
Yet again, I am very fast. I have always more ideas flying through my head than I’d like to admit, and I can quickly pick up new softwares, systems, programs and frameworks.
Yet, I have a terrible, terrible flaw, which is most likely directly correlated to the skills above-mentioned.
I am utterly impatient. If something does not work, I huff and puff. I get heated very quickly - my mum seems to be blaming my Italian blood, or (to be precise) my dad’s Sicilian blood.
Still, this is my biggest shortcoming. Which makes problem solving a tricky subject for me.
So I started using five simple questions that help me move from overwhelm to action.
And with the arrival of my daughter and a whole new set of challenges I had for me, I begrudgingly found myself coming back to this framework.
So I thought I would share it with you.
The thing that stuck most with me is this: spend no more than 20% of the time defining the problem and 80% on the solution.
Obvious, right? Yet, we don’t do this nearly enough.
First up, write the problem on paper so you can come up with your best plan for handling the challenge and act on it as quickly as possible.
Notice what you’re getting from your current actions by answering the following questions:
What is great about this problem?
Okay, bear with me on this. Some problems will suck (actually, most challenges may do at first).
Yet, you want to prime your mindset to find the motivation to make the changes you want to make.
Let’s use a real example from my life right now: I’ve only got two days a week to do the work of five because I have a 5‑month‑old baby.
On paper, that sounds impossible. But here’s what’s great: constraints force clarity. Less faff, more focus. I’m prioritising what actually moves the needle and saying a loving “not now” to the rest.
What is not perfect (yet)?
The “yet” is the key. I don’t have a seamless weekly rhythm with naps, client calls, and creative sprints…yet. But now I know what needs smoothing: batching deep work, protecting meeting-free windows, and trimming nice-to-haves.
What am I willing to do to make it the way I want it?
I’m willing to timebox fiercely, batch content like a champ, and run a weekly “cut list” to remove anything that doesn’t serve the big goals. Two days a week means fewer tabs and tighter scopes.
What am I willing to no longer do in order to change my situation?
I’m done with context switching, perfection polishing, and saying yes out of guilt. By protecting my time and downsizing to one big thing per sprint, I’ll see better results than trying to do everything half-baked.
How can I enjoy the process while I tackle this challenge?
Tiny wins, big celebrations. Walks with the buggy between writing blocks. Intentionally lighter Fridays. If the schedule is tight, the vibes need to be high. 🫶
Before I continue, a word from our fab-ulous friends
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YOUR HOMEWORK ✍️
The life of an entrepreneur is once scattered with endless problems and challenges and pivots that we simply cannot expect.
But taking the time to reflect on the problems gives you a better chance at finding the right solution.
Develop more flexibility by asking yourself these key questions:
What is great about this problem?
What is not perfect (yet)?
What am I willing to do to make it the way I want it?
What am I willing to no longer do to change my situation?
How can I enjoy the process while I tackle this challenge?
When it comes to approaching challenges in life, you have to work on your mindset first.
Change your beliefs about what problems are, call them challenges and see them as opportunities to grow over obstacles life is presenting you.
If what you’re doing isn’t working, change your approach. I promise it’s hella worth it.
…and if you want an example of that, check out my latest experiment on Instagram.
Always cheering you on,
Fab ✌️
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