Stop Fixing the Wrong Thing

Start here

Ask yourself one question:

If my current fix worked perfectly, would the problem go away?

If the answer is clearly yes, good. You may be working on the right thing.

If the answer is no, maybe or “I'm not sure”, don't rush into another fix.

Look at the problem again.

Why this matters

We're often much quicker to question a solution than to question the problem we've decided we're solving.

So when something doesn't work, we try harder.

We find a better system. Explain ourselves again. Become more disciplined. Look for another technique.

Sometimes that's right.

Sometimes we're simply getting better at fixing the wrong thing.

This guide is about noticing the difference.

Common situations

It may be worth stopping and checking when:

• you're trying one productivity system after another;
• you think you need more discipline;
• the same argument keeps coming back;
• several sensible fixes haven't worked;
• you keep changing systems without changing the result;
• you know what you're “supposed” to do but still aren't doing it.

The answer won't always be another fix.

Sometimes you need to work on a different problem.

Sometimes you need to choose between two downsides.

Sometimes something needs to stop.

Sometimes the situation needs to change.

And sometimes there isn't anything to fix at all.