Quotes About Problem-solving

The scientific definition of intelligence is the capacity to overcome obstacles

If you find a problem, don't complain about it. To find the solution, be curious and wise.

You solve a problem not by eliminating the problem but by changing the perception and awareness of the problem.

Identify the problem but never dwell on it. Focus on solutions.

Intelligence is the ability to find and solve problems and create products of value in one's own culture.

The difference between good design and great design is INTELLIGENCE

Intelligence is the ability to solve problems

The sudden hunch, the creative leap of mind that "sees" in a flash how to solve a problem in a simple way, is something quite different from general intelligence.

I reject the notion that human beings have a single intelligence, which can be drawn on for the full range of problem solving.

When you don't have an education, you have to use your brains.

It'll take a smart person with passion over someone with years of experience any day. People with intelligence and passion will get the problem solved, no matter what.

The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics. That tenet is the foundation of the do-it-yourself, Socratic, or Texas method.

The fourth response is Christian: "It can be solved through Christ." Notice that the first three responses leave the problem intact and as a result the person and his course of activity is changed. Man adapts to the problem; man is subdued by the problem; whereas in the fourth situation, the problem is dealt with. The problem is sliced in two. In nouthetic counseling, clients are taught to solve problems rather than adapt to them. There is a biblical solution to every problem. 1

Keep it focused on choices that solve a problem to your audience's (and your) advantage.

we use math not because we're smart, but because we aren't smart enough.

Mike Kelleher from Obama's Senate office was the person who stepped up to tackle the mess… He built the staff, drew up a ten-page strategic plan for the mail-room, wrote algorithms for a mail coding system, set up a casework decision tree, assembled a library of policy-response letters, and developed quality-control manuals.

The reason for writing it down on paper or on a computer where you can see it is because the brain, unlikely as it may sound, is no place for serious thinking. Any time you have serious thinking to do, the first step is to get the whole shootin' match out of your head and set it up someplace where you can walk around it and see it from all sides. Attack, switch sides and counter-attack. You can't do that while it's still in your head.

Yefgenii said, "The Americans spent millions of dollars designing a pen that would work in space. What did we do?" Gevorkian's head was down, his eyes were down. "What did we do?" Gevorkian lifted his head "We used pencils." "We used pencils.

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of complaining.

But everyone should try writing a little code, because it somehow sharpens the mind, right?

When your brain is always engaged, when your neurons are always firing, when you find yourself in a continual mode of reacting and responding, instead of steering and directing, the best and brightest solutions that you are capable of producing rarely see the light of day.

What else kills monsters?" Lou shrugged. "Direct sunlight?" "Well, Lou, I'm afraid we already know his weakness isn't direct sunlight, because we've seen him out in the direct goddamn sun!" "We're brainstorming! You don't criticize ideas in a brainstorming session!

For the ability to answer three simple questions: 'what to change?', 'what to change to?', and 'how to cause the change?' Basically what we are asking for is the most fundamental abilities one would expect from a manager.

Bob comes into the office with a smear of grease on his white shirt over the bulge of his beer gut, and he's talking nonstop about what's going on with the breakdown of the automatic testing machines. "Bob," I tell him, "forget about that for now.