There's a saying in the Tao Te Ching: "If one has the Tao but no technique, one can still seek technique; if one has technique but no Tao, one will only end up with technique."

Here, "Tao" refers to laws, principles, and origins, while "technique" refers to specific methods. This means that after understanding the laws governing the development of things, it's easier to seek techniques, skills, and methods. Conversely, having only a solution without understanding the laws governing development is ultimately just a solution; if the problem changes slightly, the application of the solution to the next problem becomes ineffective. Therefore, the key to solving a problem never lies in the method; there is always more than one solution.

For example, if I'm short of money, I can't focus on a single path to making money, such as entering the workplace or finding a lucrative project. Instead, I need to deeply understand the essence of making money, the secrets of business, the art of trading, and so on.

When encountering a problem, we must identify the root cause and then take action, rather than focusing on method A, method B, or method C.

1. Core: Find the root cause of the problem. Most people, when faced with a problem, cry out, "Oh no! What should I do? What should I do?!"

Mature people, when faced with a problem, first think, "Where is the problem? What is the root cause?"

The former is single-point thinking. They first draw on past experience to see if it matches the new situation. If not, they then consider methods A, B, and C to see if they can solve the current problem.

In "Selected Works of Mao Zedong," the teacher pointed out that any problem must be addressed from a practical perspective and analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Those who prioritize solutions overinterpret the superficial symptoms of a problem and ignore the underlying causes.

The latter is first-principles thinking. It believes that many problems may stem from a deeper, underlying cause. Identifying and resolving that underlying cause can help address a large number of similar problems. This type of thinking understands both the underlying cause and the underlying reason, making it more efficient overall. There are many tools and methods for getting to the root cause of a problem:

The 5-Why Analysis method uses five consecutive "Whys" to answer a problem in order to identify its root cause.

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a systematic problem-solving process that involves identifying and analyzing the cause of the problem, finding solutions, and developing preventative measures.

The Fishbone Analysis method analyzes the interplay between various factors to identify possible causes, looking beyond the surface to the essence, and quickly identifying the underlying root cause of the problem.

Of course, there are many other tools. I'm listing these tools here not to provide a list of methods, but to illustrate that there are more than just a few approaches to "getting to the root cause of a problem," and they all share essential similarities.

All techniques and methods originate from the Dao. We can "use the Dao to govern the techniques, and use the techniques to attain the Dao."

2. Action: The most convenient method is the best. After identifying the root cause of a problem, the next step is action.

A difficult problem is inherently difficult, for example, because it involves significant interests, many stakeholders, or requires significant time and effort. When faced with an intractable situation, the best approach is to break the problem down into smaller pieces, then take action to solve each of these pieces one by one.

Taking action often solves 80% of the problem; the remaining 20% ​​is a matter of operationalization and execution.

The only way to know if a solution is right is to try it out. There are methods A, B, and C. Try them all, and the one that works best is the best.

Wang Yangming said, "One must be tempered by experience before one can establish oneself, and only then can one be both still and composed."

Those who are tempered by difficulties and challenges, who continuously improve through action, are calm and resolute individuals who can achieve great things. The world actively rewards those who take action. When faced with a problem, taking action shows responsibility, courage, and reliability. While bad luck can lead to encountering malicious people and unfair treatment, these rewards, though delayed, will never be absent.

3. Review: Continuous Iteration and Optimization

After taking action, we may succeed or fail. The outcome isn't important; what matters is the experience and lessons learned, avoiding the same pitfall twice. The difference between experts and ordinary people isn't that experts avoid pitfalls, but that experts only allow themselves to fall into them once.

Reviewing past experiences is about learning from one's past and developing future-oriented skills. By reviewing and reflecting on events, one can comprehensively analyze the strengths and weaknesses, and based on this, continuously improve one's ability to act in the future.

The hallmarks of a good review are the ability to reflect, reflect, and introspect.

Step 1: Reflection: Reviewing the facts and results. This relies primarily on faithfully documenting the facts. Often, we consider faithfully documenting the facts as the first step, as this approach is more intuitive and provides guidance for operational purposes.

Step 2: Reflection: Examining the situation from a three-dimensional perspective. This requires a comprehensive and in-depth analysis.

Step 3: Introspection: Analyzing one's own actions and developing a guide for future action. Isn't the purpose of reflection to lead to better action?

There's a saying that without reviewing, even the best efforts are merely low-level diligence. We should transform our valuable experiences and lessons into a methodology, achieving enlightenment through technique. Liu Chuanzhi often said, "One of my secrets to life is diligent review."

A reader asked Liu Run, "How can I grow faster?" Liu Run replied, "Continuous review."

Only by constantly reviewing can I make continuous progress.

4. Summary.

The key to solving a problem is never the method. It's about identifying the root cause, proactively addressing it, and finally reviewing and optimizing to enhance understanding.

Every problem is an opportunity for growth; every exploration of the essence is a reservoir of wisdom; every action is a display of courage; and every review is a step closer to excellence.

The more you act, the more you advance your knowledge; the deeper your knowledge, the more you achieve. Unify knowledge and action. Temper yourself through problems, elevate yourself through reflection, and live up to your time and yourself.