Problem Solved Quotes

“Spaghetti thinking prevents taking action towards solutions.

If you are frustrated with a coworker, have a child who can’t seem to make a decision or have a friend who seems to have the same set of problems over and over, then they are probably in spaghetti thinking. You ask them something and they get off topic. They talk their way around the real problem. They avoid the most important problem to solve. You want them to commit to solving one problem and they throw 15 other problems in the pile. They avoid real action and real solutions and comfort themselves with venting and overthinking.

Spaghetti thinking prevents clarity, wastes time, and prevents productivity.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions

“When thoughts have boundaries, problems are easier to solve.

I’ve studied boundaries, taught boundaries and enforced boundaries both professionally and personally. What is desperately missing from the conversation around boundaries is giving our own thoughts boundaries. Our brains can readily find solutions when the boundaries are laid out before us. If you are looking for a word, you will be able to locate the word more quickly on a spelling list versus a word search. If you are looking for a specific type of flower, you will be able to locate the flower more quickly in a garden with carefully laid out rows versus a jungle where there are no boundaries.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions

“Einstein said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about the solutions.” I don’t think this is because Einstein was afraid of solutions or was just worrying in circles and beating himself up about the problem (as many of us do). I think Einstein understood the importance of getting clear about the problem he was really trying to solve. Think about how often we need to solve the problem of finishing a report for work, but instead we think we need chips. Or we need to solve the problem of getting rest, but instead we scroll through social media. We need respect and acknowledgement from our boss, yet instead of talking to our boss we go home and pick a fight with our spouse.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions

“You can’t hit a bullseye if you don’t know where the goal is and you can’t solve a problem if you don’t know what problem you are trying to solve. If you are leading a team, child, client or employee, then getting them out of spaghetti thinking is the hidden secret to helping them make better decisions. It will also protect your time and energy so people stop emotionally vomiting on you and wasting your time talking about problems they have no intention of doing anything about. We can still be good listeners, but the ultimate goal is to help develop powerful problem solvers. Confused employees aren’t productive employees. Confused children aren’t children capable of reaching their full success. Confused clients leave bad reviews.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions

“If you’re having a conversation with someone who is stuck personally or professionally, then it’s likely they are trying to see how many problems they can shove “on their fork” at the same time. Do they realize they are piling up multiple problems like their own little pasta mountain? Probably not. Will putting several problems together as if they were one problem create a mess? Absolutely.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions

“For us to solve our problems as quickly and painlessly as possible, we want to be completely clear about the real problem hidden underneath the roots. Asking “What is the real problem you are trying to solve?” sounds simple. Knowing the true problem you are trying to solve and then solving it, however, isn’t always easy. Experts in air navigation understand how important it is to stay perfectly on course. If a pilot steers a plane one degree off course, they will be 92 feet off course by the time they’ve traveled one mile. Pilots don’t get to miss the runway by 92 feet. The clearer you are about your own problem, the more likely you are to land in the right spot.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions

“Mistakes can be avoided when you start asking the right questions. The more complicated the problem, the more crucial it is that you learn the skill of identifying what problem you are trying to solve and holding tight to that clarity amidst the disruptions of everyday life. If you want more time, learn not to waste time on the wrong problems. If you want more energy, learn to solve problems that have solutions. If you want more money, learn to focus on solutions that can get you more money. The success of your future and the future of those around you is absolutely determined by your ability to develop the habits of an outstanding decision maker. And you can’t make the right decision if you aren’t solving the right problem.”
― Sarah K. Ramsey, Problem Solved: Simple Habits For Complex Decisions