Don't get hung up trying to understand everything at the outset.
The biggest challenge you face at the onset of any new project is that there is a huge (seemingly overwhelming) amount of stuff you need to know to tackle your problem properly. This phenomenon is true both for the beginning researcher, and for any research project. So learning how to cope with this challenge is an important skill to become a good researcher. First of all, blocking your action and progress while waiting for complete knowledge is the road to failure.
Coping mechanisms employed by winners include:
● prioritizing (what do I need to know most?)
● reading (everything made available to you, and seek out more; but don't put months of reading between you and getting started doing things.)
● multithreading (is there another item or path I can productively pursue?)
● pursuing multiple, possible solution techniques (maybe some have easier paths than others)
● wishful thinking (ok, let's assume this subproblem is solved, does that allow me to go on and solve other problems?)
● pester people who might have some of the information you need (start by getting them to give you pointers to things you can use to help yourself. Show respect for their time and always follow up on the resources you've been given before asking for a personal explanation.)
● propose working models --- maybe they are wrong or different from others, but they give you something to work with and something concrete to discuss and compare with others. You will refine your models continually, but it's good to have something concrete in mind to work with.
Losers will stop the first time they run into something they don't know, cannot solve a problem, or encounter trouble slightly out of what they consider ``their part'' of the problem and then offer excuses for why they cannot make any progress.
Winners consider the whole problem theirs and look for paths around every hangup.
Losers make sure there is someone or something to blame for their lack of progress.
Winners find ways to make progress despite complications.
Losers know all the reasons it cannot be done
Winners find a way to do it.
Communicate and Synchronize Often. Of course, when you do have to build your own models, solve unexpected problems, make assumptions, etc. do make sure to communicate and synchronize with your fellow researchers. Do they have different models from yours? What can you learn from each others' models and assumptions? Let them know what you're thinking, where you're stuck, and how you're trying to get around your problems.
Decompose. The whole problem often seems overwhelming. Decompose it into manageable pieces. Tackle the pieces one at a time. Divide and conquer.
Be Organized. The biggest limitation to our ability to conquer problems is complexity. You need to work continually to structure the problem and your understanding of it to tackle the inherent complexity. Keep careful track of what you have done and what you need to do. Make lists; write it down; don't rely on your memory (or worse, yet, your supervisor's memory) to hold all the things you need to do and all the intermediate issues you need to address.
Ответы
Ответ: The provided text offers valuable advice on how to approach new projects and challenges, particularly in a research context. It emphasizes the importance of not becoming overwhelmed by the initial complexity and the need for extensive knowledge. Instead, it suggests practical coping mechanisms and strategies that distinguish winners from losers in problem-solving scenarios:
Prioritization: Identifying the most crucial information or tasks to tackle first.
Reading: Gathering as much information as possible, but not letting excessive reading delay taking action.
Multithreading: Exploring multiple avenues simultaneously, if feasible.
Exploring Multiple Solution Techniques: Considering various approaches to solving a problem.
Wishful Thinking: Imagining potential solutions and how they might contribute to overall progress.
Engaging Others: Seeking help or guidance from individuals who possess relevant information or resources.
Proposing Working Models: Creating working models, even if they are imperfect, to provide a concrete basis for problem-solving.
The text also highlights the critical differences in mindset between winners and losers in these situations:
Winners take ownership of the entire problem and actively seek solutions.
Losers limit their responsibility and offer excuses when faced with obstacles.
Winners find ways to make progress despite difficulties.
Losers focus on reasons why something cannot be done.
Additionally, the text stresses the importance of communication and synchronization among team members or collaborators to share insights, models, and problem-solving strategies effectively. Collaboration and the exchange of ideas can lead to more robust solutions.
The principles of decomposition and organization are encouraged to manage the inherent complexity of problems. Breaking down complex challenges into smaller, manageable pieces and maintaining organized records of progress and tasks are essential practices for successful problem-solving.
Overall, the text offers practical advice for researchers and problem solvers, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and effective collaboration as key components of successful outcomes.
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