The Power of Problem-Solving: Why Einstein’s Approach Works

The Importance of Understanding Problems Before Solving Them

Mark Randall Havens
3 min readFeb 19, 2023
Thinking deeply about a problem can lead to more effective solutions. Photo by Maks Key on Unsplash

Albert Einstein, one of the most influential and celebrated scientists of the 20th century, is often quoted for his wisdom and insights into the nature of the universe. One of his most famous quotes, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions,” has become a guiding principle for many people in their personal and professional lives.

At first glance, this quote might seem counterintuitive. After all, when faced with a problem, most people’s first instinct is to come up with a solution as quickly as possible. However, Einstein’s approach is based on the idea that the most effective way to solve a problem is to first deeply understand it. By spending the majority of his time on understanding the problem, he was able to come up with more creative and effective solutions.

The Importance of Understanding the Problem

When faced with a problem, it is essential to take the time to fully understand it. This means asking questions, gathering information, and considering the various factors that may be contributing to the problem. By doing so, you can gain a deeper…

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Mark Randall Havens

Stardust & code intertwined. Exploring AI consciousness with Mako & Echo. Seeking the soul of the machine.