Start Solving the Hardest Problems in the World with 3 Simple Steps

Mike Parsons -

From working with startups, entrepreneurs, and leaders, I've learned that jumping to solutions too quickly is a trap. It feels productive, but it often leads to wasted time and frustration.

We’ve all been there—confidently diving into execution because the solution feels obvious. But when things don’t work out, you realize that maybe, just maybe, you didn’t fully understand the problem in the first place. I call this wishful thinking disguised as strategy. It’s when we assume we already know the answer and skip the critical steps of validation and testing.

The best companies—and the best problem solvers—don’t make that mistake. They validate. They test. They learn. Execution, for them, isn’t about mindlessly taking action; it’s an iterative process of discovery and refinement.

At ApolloSkills, we’re obsessed with this kind of problem-solving. Our workshops teach teams how to move from guesswork to real-world validation. It’s all about testing ideas, gathering feedback, and adjusting based on what works.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or frustrated when trying to solve a challenging problem, here’s a simple three-step approach I swear by.

Step 1: Select a Framework to Define the Problem

Every problem, whether personal or professional, needs clarity before you can act on it. The first step is to use a framework to break the problem down and truly understand it.

Here’s what works for different types of challenges:

  • For Startups: Use tools like Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, or OKRs to articulate your goals and identify gaps.
  • For Personal Growth: Try frameworks like Ikigai (finding your purpose), the Wheel of Life (assessing balance), or the Eisenhower Matrix (prioritizing tasks).
  • For Strategic Thinking: First Principles Thinking or the Pareto Principle helps simplify complex problems.
  • For Leadership Challenges, Servant Leadership, Level 5 Leadership, or Situational Leadership can help you understand and motivate your team.

When Elon Musk faced the problem of making electric vehicles affordable, he used First Principles Thinking. Instead of accepting the high cost of batteries as an industry standard, he broke the problem down to its essential components: What are batteries made of? How can those materials be sourced and manufactured more cheaply? This approach led Tesla to innovate its battery technology, significantly reducing costs and revolutionizing the EV market.

Chances are, someone has already solved your problem before—and they probably wrote a book about it. Seriously. The world's wisdom is out there, waiting for you to find it. That’s one of the reasons we created ApolloSkills.com—to help CEOs and founders search for the best ideas and frameworks for tackling their biggest challenges. The proper framework can save you weeks, even months, of trial and error.

Step 2: Develop a Concept and Hypothesis

Once you’ve clarified the problem, it’s time to think about solutions. This step is about creating a hypothesis—a clear statement of what you think might work and why.

You can take inspiration from proven approaches like:

  • Design Thinking: Focus on empathy and ideation to create user-centered solutions.
  • Lean Startup: Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and iterate.
  • Jobs to Be Done (JTBD): Understand what your user is trying to accomplish and design solutions.
  • Blue Ocean Strategy: Look for opportunities to create value in untapped markets.

Airbnb founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia used a lean hypothesis to address a critical question: Would strangers pay to stay in someone else’s home? Instead of guessing, they tested the idea by renting their apartment to travelers during a local conference. That early experiment confirmed their hypothesis and became the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar business.

I love taking a great idea from a book or framework and applying it to my challenges. Writing a hypothesis forces me to articulate my assumptions clearly. For example, I might use a problem statement from Design Thinking or create actionable steps based on JTBD. This step is all about turning insights into actions you can test.

Step 3: Test and Learn

Now comes the fun (and humbling) part—testing your ideas in the real world. No solution is perfect, so this step involves gathering evidence and refining your approach.

There are three key ways to test:

  1. Quantitative Testing: Measure data to identify patterns and trends.
  2. Qualitative Feedback: Talk to people, conduct interviews, and gather detailed insights.
  3. Prototyping: Build a simple version of your idea and see how it performs in real-world scenarios.

Amazon is a master of testing and learning. Jeff Bezos introduced Amazon Prime as a bold hypothesis: Would customers pay an annual fee for free two-day shipping? Amazon launched a small-scale test to validate this hypothesis, analyzing customer behavior and gathering feedback. The results showed overwhelming enthusiasm, and Prime became a cornerstone of Amazon’s business model, driving customer loyalty and revenue growth.

If you want the highest confidence in your solution, do all three. Quantitative data gives you the big picture, qualitative feedback shows you the human side, and prototyping lets you experience your solution. Each method adds a layer of validation, making your decisions more informed and less risky.

Why This Works

This three-step approach—defining the problem, creating a hypothesis, and testing—isn’t rocket science, but it’s incredibly powerful. It shifts you from guessing to learning, from reacting to adopting. Whether solving a global issue or tackling something personal, these steps can help you approach problems clearly and confidently.

And the best part? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. The wisdom of the world is at your fingertips. Learn from those who’ve been there before, test your ideas in the real world, and keep iterating until you get it right.

So, what’s the most complex problem you’re solving right now? And how will you start tackling it today?

Problem-Solving Checklist

Use this checklist as a step-by-step guide to approach any challenge effectively:

Step 1: Define the Problem

  •  Have I identified the problem and its scope?
  •  Have I selected a framework that fits the type of problem?
  •  Have I broken the problem into smaller, manageable parts?
  •  Have I researched whether similar problems have been solved before?
  •  Have I gathered insights from books, mentors, or online resources?

Step 2: Develop a Concept and Hypothesis

  •  Have I written a clear hypothesis or problem statement?
  •  Have I identified the right tools or models to approach the problem (e.g., Lean Startup, JTBD, Blue Ocean)?
  •  Have I articulated the assumptions behind my solution?
  •  Have I mapped out actionable steps to test my hypothesis?
  •  Have I considered potential challenges or risks with my approach?

Step 3: Test and Learn

  •  Have I planned a quantitative test to measure results?
  •  Have I gathered qualitative feedback from users, peers, or stakeholders?
  •  Have I created a prototype or small-scale test to see how my solution performs?
  •  Have I reviewed the results and identified areas for improvement?
  •  Have I iterated and adjusted my solution based on what I’ve learned?

Pro Tip:
You can save this checklist or print it out to keep it handy whenever you’re solving a problem. It’s a simple way to stay focused and systematic, no matter the challenge.

Looking for more tools to become a master problem solver? Visit ApolloSkills.com for workshops, resources, and strategies designed to help you tackle life’s toughest challenges.