Compensating for a recurring problem is not enough. If you don’t fix the cause, the problem will come back.
And here’s the kicker…
You might get faster at compensating, but what happens when more and more problems keep circling back to you?
It gets worse. Some problems even interact, creating bigger messes that are harder to patch over. Eventually, you’ll buckle under the weight of compensating for too many problems at once.
So what’s the alternative?
It’s not fixing everything. That would be endless.
Here’s what works…
Make a list. Decide what’s important to fix and what’s not.
Step 1: Start the list
Write down the problems and projects that are on your mind. Don’t overthink it - just get them out of your head and onto paper.
Step 2: Spot the repeat offenders
Look for problems that recur and create havoc. If they’re coming back again and again, they’re the ones worth fixing.
Step 3: Prioritize ruthlessly
Rank your list by 2 things:
- Frequency of recurrence.
- Degree of havoc.
Now you know where to start.
Step 4: Do, document and diagnose
Take the top problem. Write down what you want to achieve. Plan out how to make it go away. Write down your steps. Then do it. Finally, review the steps you took and ask yourself:
- What went wrong?
- What would you do differently next time?
Update your documented steps with your new thinking.
Step 5: Test and iterate
Next time the problem shows up, follow your updated steps. Did it make things easier? Great - congratulations!
If not, pause.
What went wrong this time? What would you change again?
Repeat until you’ve got a set of steps that reliably gets you the result you want.
Here’s the truth
There’s no magic in the process itself. You’re just targeting recurring problems and refining until the steps work every time.
But wait…
There is magic here.
The magic is in applying this process over and over again. Each recurring problem becomes a well-oiled machine.
And here’s where this feedback loop compounds…
Instead of compensating for problems, you’re executing the best steps you know - every time, for every recurring problem.
That’s leverage.
That’s how you stop drowning in compensation and start building systems that actually work.
Your move
Stop letting recurring problems steal your time. Grab a notebook, jot down your list and take on one repeat offender today.
Each fix builds leverage. The sooner you start, the faster you break free from the cycle of compensation.