Problem Solving

There are two main things that will be important to figuring out any problem:
* get clear on what your actual goal is
* know (or learn) how things work
==Ends (goals)==
Figuring out your ends. What is the real problem?  Or what do you really want?
The sections below answer:
*Why you should figure out what your goals really should be, instead of assuming you know
*How to figure this out
===Why you should start with figuring out goals===
	Example 	Lesson
	spend money replacing one part of your car, but then the engine noise continues 	don't achieve the wrong goal
	Arriving home after getting groceries, and noticing your fridge is almost out of milk 	know all of the things you want
	asking someone if they have any tape (when glue would work), they say "no" despite having glue	make room for solutions
[see also: the pros and cons of using proxy-goals]
===How to figure out goals===
*look closer at assumed goal, split into parts
**make sure your "goal" isn't actually just an assumed solution/plan. Split means from ends.
** is there more than one goal? List all the criteria that you want a good solution to have
* go deeper: 
**is this goal itself a means to achieve some other end? [the answer will practically ALWAYS be "yes"]
**if you're trying to solve a problem, how does the problem actually work?
[see also: splitting and contextualizing]
==Means (solutions)==
Figuring out a means of achieving the goals. How can you get what you want?
* copying a solution that worked for other people
* inventing a new solution
How things work
Satisfying multiple criteria [even if they seem to conflict]
[starting from the goal and working backwards VS starting with what is currently possible and working forwards]
==See Also:==