Are Your Lights On ?

Such a fantastic book on problem solving by Gerald M. Weinberg

Here are the gospels from it

A Problem is a difference between things as Desired and things as perceived

The funniest one ,

Don't bother trying to solve problems for people who don't have a sense of humor.

Don't mistake Solution method for a Problem definition - Especially if it's your own solution method.

If you solve their problem too readily , they'll never believe you've solved their real problem.

You can never be sure you have a correct problem definition , even after the problem is solved.

Don't leap to conclusions , But Don't ignore your first impression.

You can never be sure you have a correct problem definition , But don't ever stop trying to get one .

Each solution is the source of the next problem.

The trickiest part of certain problems is just recognizing their existence.

If you can't think of at least three things that might be wrong with your understanding of the problem, you don't understand the problem.
( In short , Think of three reason's it won't work ...)

As you wander along the weary path of problem definition , check back home once in a while to see if you haven't lost your way.

Don't solve other people's problems when they can solve them perfectly well themselves.

If it's their problem, make it their problem.

If a person is in a position to do something about a problem , but does not have the problem , then do something so he does.

Try blaming yourself for a change - Even for a moment.

If people really have their lights on , a little reminder may be more effective than your complicated solution.

The source of the problem is most often you.

There are two kinds of people in the world , those that do work and those who take credit. Keep in the first group - there's much less competition there.

No problem too big , no problem too small .

The difficult we do right now , the impossible takes a little longer .

People seldom know what they want until you give them what they ask for .

We never have enough time to do it right , but we always have enough time to do it over or do better.

We never have enough time to consider whether we want it , but we always have enough time to regret it .

The fish is always the last to see the water.