For Myself
How to help yourself problem solve with the meta-problem
The best way to improve your own problem-solving skills using the meta-problem is to try it out on a problem that's important to you. At the end of this exercise you will have more clarity on whichever situation you set out to study.
​
Choose a problem
Start with something where you have mixed feelings, are not sure what your options are, or just don't know how to get started. Here we are using the traditional definition of a "problem" because it helps when you're just getting started.
​
Identify your goals
Think about what you hope to make better about your life by solving this "problem." This should be the starting point of knowing your goals for the meta-problem. However, you can (and should) add in more criteria of other things you care about. For example, you might be trying to make more money, but also still want to enjoy your work.
​
Lay out your options
Once you know your goals, the next question is to think about what decisions you could make to improve those goals. To go a step further with the example above about making more money, you could consider all the things you control that could help with that goal. New job, getting a promotion, adding a side hustle.
​
As you work through this meta-problem exercise, take your time to go back and forth between your goals and your options. As you spell out some of those decisions you could make, you might realize your initial goals were too restrictive. Is it really that you want to make more money, or could you also be happier by spending less? Maybe that seems like a great idea until you actually think about what you could cut and earning more sounds a lot more attractive (even if it means a more stressful job)
​
Evaluate your options, compared to your goals
Eventually for the meta-problem to actually help you, you need to choose a problem to go solve. Maybe that will be to find a new higher-paying job, or to be happy where you are. Whatever you decide, you'll have a level playing field for making your choice.
​
Iterate
After you've made a decision of what problem to solve, you might learn some things that change your mind. You thought getting a new job was the best option, but see that a side hustle might actually fit you better. For important decisions, there are often so many unknowns that it would be virtually impossible to get it right on your first try. Knowing your goals and other options will still help you make the best choice you can every step of the way.
​
Give it a shot!
Worst case you take a few minutes and realize the problem you picked really is a tough nut to crack. On the upside, maybe you'll realize that you had different or better options than you realized.