Localized lesson title

Learning goal

Learn to separate symptoms from the real challenge.

Who

Anyone who wants to improve their problem-solving skills and avoid wasting effort on treating symptoms.

What

Understanding the difference between symptoms and problems, and how to identify the real challenge behind observable signs.

Where

This lesson will take place in the Done is better - Build What Matters course, on day 2.

When

Today, as you work through this lesson.

Why it matters

Treating symptoms wastes effort and leaves the cause intact. The first thing you see is often not the root cause. Action on the wrong target creates noise, not progress.

How

To separate symptoms from the real challenge:

1. List what you observe (symptoms).
2. Ask: what would have to be true for this to happen?
3. Identify the gap between current and desired state.
4. State the problem in one sentence.
5. Check: is this actionable?

Guided exercise

Choose a situation where something keeps going wrong. List the symptoms, then write one sentence: what is the real problem (the gap)?

Independent exercise

Practice applying the separation of symptoms from problems in your own work or life.

Self-check

• You can explain the key idea in one sentence: 'A problem is a gap between current state and desired state. A symptom is what you observe. Find what would have to be true for the symptom to exist; that points to the real problem.'
• You have one concrete move to do today: apply the separation of symptoms from problems in your own work or life.

Bibliography (sources used)

• [Your source 1]

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