motivational quotes about problem solving

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27 Quotes to Change How You Think About Problems Great minds give you the benefit of their experience.

By Daniel Marlin • Apr 21, 2017

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

It happens to even the most seasoned of entrepreneurs. You've built momentum for your latest project, you're excited to embrace new challenges and you've visualized success at the end of the road.

But all of a sudden an unexpected problem stops you dead in your tracks -- and this one seems impossible to solve.

Yes, major hurdles are disheartening, and they're often unavoidable. But the way you engage with and think about problems directly influences your ability to solve them.

Here's how some of the world's smartest people think about problems and how you can learn to overcome them.

Related: 4 Effective Ways Leaders Solve Problems and Stop them Before They Happen

1. "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." – Albert Einstein

2. "Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." – Robert H. Shuller

3. "All problems become smaller when you confront them instead of dodging them." – William F. Halsey

4. "Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced." – James Baldwin

5. "Sometimes problems don't require a solution to solve them; Instead they require maturity to outgrow them." – Steve Maraboli

6. "Every problem is a gift. Without them we wouldn't grow" – Tony Robbins

7. "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." – Soren Kierkegaard

8. "If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?" – Shantideva

9. "It isn't that they cannot find the solution. It is that they cannot see the problem." – G.K Chesterton

10. "Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity" – Gerhard Gschwandtner

11. "We fail more often because we solve the wrong problem than because we get the wrong solution to the right problem." – Russell L. Ackoff

12. "A positive attitude may not solve your problems -- but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." – Anonymous

Related: 4 Ways to Maintain a Positive Attitude Even When You're Stressed

13. "Running away from a problem only increases the distance from the solution." – Anonymous

14. "Problem-solving leaders have one thing in common: a faith that there's always a better way." – Gerald M. Weinberg

15. "Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems." – Rene Descartes

16. "Your ability to solve problems and make good decisions is the true measure of your skill as a leader." – Brian Tracy

17. "If you are unable to understand the cause of a problem, it is impossible to solve it." – Naoto Kan

18. "A problem is a chance for you to do your best." – Duke Ellington

19. "Giving up is the most painful way of solving a problem." – Anonymous

20. "Instead of thinking out the box, get rid of the box." – Deepak Chopra

21. "Solving problems means listening." – Richard Branson

22. "Inside of every problem lies an opportunity." – Robert Kiposaki

23. "There is no problem outside of you that is superior to the power within you." – Bob Proctor

24. "You can increase your problem-solving skills by honing your question-asking ability." – Michael J. Gelb

Related: Entrepreneurship Is Not About Problem Solving

25. "Don't bother people for help without first trying to solve the problem yourself." – Colin Powell

26. "If a problem can be solved it will be. If it cannot be solved there is no use worrying about it." – Dalai Lama XIV

27. "All life is problem solving." – Karl Popper

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45 Quotes About Problem Solving

As it is popularly known, problems are inevitable! Whether it is in school, at home, or in an organization, you are likely to come across different types and levels of problems. With every problem comes many different solutions. Arriving at solutions to problems not only helps with creative thinking but also improves decision-making skills. It is a great idea to surround students as well as adults with positive ideas and stories of leaders who used problem-solving skills in their endeavors.

A problem-solving mindset empowers critical thinking in individuals. Hence, it is significant to equip yourself with the skills required for problem-solving that can be used in everyday life. 

Similarly, problem-solving quotes also help individuals focus on a creative process of analyzing problems and arriving at solutions. Quotes and sayings from famous personalities act as positive reinforcement in tough situations. This article helps you explore some of the best quotes focusing on a growth mindset with the personal experiences of leaders and intellectuals across the globe.

Inspiring problem-solving quotes

Quotes act as a hassle-free way to convey powerful messages with the usage of accurate words. The below-mentioned problem-solving quotes highlight the contributions made by thoughtful leaders. It is your turn to dive into them and use them in the most suitable manner.

1. A problem well stated is a problem half solved. – John Dewey

2. i’m not afraid of problem-solving. there is always a way. –  hanneli mustaparta, 3. if your only tool is a hammer then every problem looks like a nail. – abraham maslow  , 4. there are only two ways to solve a problem: stop dwelling, and start doing. – emily uraih, 5. too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. – roger lewin, 6. we can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them. – albert einstein, 7. a problem is a chance for you to do your best. – duke ellington, 8. if i had an hour to solve a problem i’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions. – albert einstein, 9. the problem is not the problem. the problem is your attitude about the problem – captain jack sparrow, 10. the best way to find a solution to a problem is to first understand it. – stephen covey, 11. the problem is not that there are problems. the problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem. – theodore rubin, 12. there’s no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution. – betty williams, 13. if there is no solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it. if there is a solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it. – dalai lama xiv, 14. believe it is possible to solve your problem. tremendous things happen to the believer. so believe the answer will come. it will. – norman vincent peale, 15. problems are only opportunities in work clothes. – henri kaiser, 16. the problem is not to find the answer, it’s to face the answer. – terence mckenna, 17. the important thing about a problem is not the solution, but the strength we gain in finding a solution. – seneca, 18. until we have real conflict, we don’t fully understand the problem. – alfred sloan, 19. every problem has a solution; it may sometimes just need another perspective. – katherine russell, 20. you can increase your problem-solving skills by honing your question-asking ability. – michael j. gelb, 21. life isn’t about living without problems. life is about solving problems. – tom krause, 22. children have such vibrant minds. they need to play. they need to imagine. and it helps them learn problem-solving. – jan brett, 23. i can’t solve problems by hitting them with my fist. – albert einstein, 24. the only limit to our solution is the size of our problem. – maxwell maltz, 25. never try to solve all the problems at once – make them line up for you one-by-one. – richard sloma, 26. most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them. – henry ford, 27. no problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking. – voltaire, 28. never bring the problem-solving stage into the decision-making stage. otherwise, you surrender yourself to the problem rather than the solution. – robert h. schuller, 29. problems do not go away. they must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit. – m. scott peak , 30. intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them. – albert einstein , 31. each problem that i solved became a rule, which served afterward to solve other problems. – rene descartes, 32. problems are only opportunities with thorns on them. – hugh miller, 33. it’s not a problem that we have a problem. it’s a problem if we don’t deal with the problem. – mary kay utech, 34. all problems become smaller when you confront them instead of dodging them. – william f. halsey, 35. there’s no such thing as running away from the problem. they’re very patient and will wait a lifetime for you. – darnell lamont walker, 36. a problem is only a problem when viewed as a problem. – robin sharma, 37. the only way to solve a problem is to confront it head-on. – unknown, 38. the measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year. – john foster dulles, 39. when solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves. – anthony j. d’angelo, 40. a problem is only as big as your determination to solve it. – unknown, 41. problem-solving is a muscle that gets stronger with practice. – jay shetty, 42. i am thankful for a problem because without them, i’d be stagnant in my growth. – charles f. glassman, 43. good problem solvers are not born; they are made through practice, perseverance, and a positive mindset. – unknown, 44. if you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying if you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying – shantideva, 45. the best way to escape from a problem is to solve it. – alan saporta, scenarios that can help you practice problem-solving skills.

Do you think we face problems in everyday life? Here, it is important to know that problems are not always huge in nature. Sometimes, solving a minor issue also helps build a problem-solving mindset. In everyday life, students, as well as adults, come across multiple such scenarios where this skill helps them arrive at the solution quicker. Let’s explore some ways where you can practice the skill and develop a growth mindset. 

1. Traveling

When traveling to school or office, you might be stuck in traffic. At times, it becomes impossible to get away from the chaos and reach on time. However, you can use your skills here to solve this problem. It is always a good idea to put skills into thinking and look for alternative travel methods. For example, you might either plan to leave early or change the mode of transportation to avoid congestion. 

2. Studying 

Students and learners might face many difficulties with managing studies with time. Along with time management skills, you can practice your problem-solving skills while studying. It is best to identify the issue, look for alternative solutions, choose the solution and evaluate the results. Enhancing the skill becomes an easy job when problems are creatively identified and resolved. Also, indulging in problem-based learning can help students exercise their problem-solving skills.

3. Everyday Chores

Whether it is getting groceries from the supermarket or fixing the running tap, creativity is the key to most problems. What do you do when the geyser stops working and you need hot water? It is simple to use the stove and heat water in a pan. Now, such solutions come in handy when problem-solving skills are applied at the right time during the right situation. 

4. Meal Planning 

Meal planning is indeed a task as everyone in the family wants to have something different. However, problem-solving skills can also be applied in this area with creative thinking. Once you put thought into meal making, you can solve the problem by analyzing the availability of vegetables and the common liking of family members. With a simplified way of solving the problem of meal planning, you can easily empower this skill. 

5. Managing Tasks

Planning everyday tasks and doing them all correctly is not an easy job. You get an amazing opportunity to practice problem-solving skills by considering the issues you face in everyday tasks. For example, if there is no time left for playing, students can better plan their studies right after school hours. Similarly, adults might feel helpless when they cannot plan a vacation due to work. In such a case, the problem can be resolved by analyzing leaves and matching it with a budget-friendly getaway. Along with this, you can employ tools and resources to improve your executive functioning skills which directly impacts your problem-solving abilities. 

Wrapping up..

In conclusion, quotes on positive thinking can be used in the classroom, at home, or in offices to create a sense of motivation in individuals. Right from everyday chores to tedious tasks, individuals get an opportunity to develop a problem-solving mindset with these quotes. Visual display of quotes also acts as an aesthetic way of decorating minds with thoughtful insights. Ultimately, the usage of quotes reinforces the brain to think creatively, break tasks and arrive at easy solutions.

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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61 Quotes About Problem Solving and Thinking for Yourself

What is your biggest problem right now, at this moment?

Have you clearly defined the problem and brainstormed solutions? If so, you are halfway to devising a resolution.

Problem-solving requires thinking. Thinking requires effort. Effort requires commitment.

Commit yourself to solving your own problems and thinking for yourself. Only then will you truly be free.

In a world with so many problems, problem-solving is hard. In a time when thinking is easily supplanted by automaticity and ease, thinking creatively and uniquely is a challenge.

Are you ready to solve your problem? Are you brave enough to think for yourself?

While you ponder each question, enjoy these quotes about solving problems and thinking for oneself.

Quotes About Problem Solving and Thinking for Yourself

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. ~ Rudyard Kipling

There’s no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution. ~ Betty Williams

It’s not a problem that we have a problem. It’s a problem if we don’t deal with the problem. ~ Mary Kay Utech

Think for yourself, or others will think for you without thinking of you. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Never try to solve all the problems at once — make them line up for you one-by-one. ~ Richard Sloma

If thy knowledge is real, employ it; wrestle with nature; test the strength of thy theories; see if they will support the trial; act! ~ Jean Baptiste Aloysius

All problems become smaller when you confront them instead of dodging them. ~ William F. Halsey

Be yourself and think for yourself, and while your conclusions may not be infallible they will be nearer right than the inclusions forced upon you by those who have a personal interest in keeping you in ignorance. ~ Elbert Hubbard

I went quickly from being a scientist to an advisor. Getting a rigorous Ph.D. in the hard sciences is about learning how to think, how to problem-solve and how to approach a circumstance... ~ Philippe Hartl

What keeps me up at night is if we continue down this path of becoming more and more dependent on science and technology, that less and less of the population is educated in science and math, or at least has an appreciation for how it affects life—and that will lead to decisions that are not optimal for the species or the country. ~ Philippe Hartl

You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or who says it. ~ Malcolm X  

A sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. ~ C. S. Lewis

To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable open-mindedness, chaotic, confused vulnerability to inform yourself. ~ Timothy Leary

Never associate with idiots on their own level, because, being an intelligent man, you’ll try to deal with them on their level – and on their level they’ll beat you every time. ~ Jean Cocteau

People say that you’re going the wrong way when it’s simply a way of your own. ~ Angelina Jolie

Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in public and private life, have been the consequences of action without thought. ~ Bernard Baruch

There’s no such thing as running away from the problem. They’re very patient and will wait a lifetime for you. ~ Darnell Lamont Walker

If you read, you can learn to think for yourself. ~ Doris Lessing

Too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. ~ Roger Lewin

The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it. ~ Brendan Francis

Take responsibility for what you think and what you do. ~ Terence McKenna

Think for yourselves for a change. You’ve been pedlars: go and be merchants. You’ve been mercenaries: go and find something of your own to defend. ~ Dorothy Dunnett

To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask? ~ Jim Rohn

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. ~ Mark Twain

Problems are only opportunities in work clothes. ~ Henri Kaiser

A problem well stated is a problem half solved. ~ Charles Kettering

It is a fact that before we begin to think we seem to know everything; while when we set about thinking in earnest, we seem to know nothing. ~ Horace Smith (aka Paul Chatfield)

He only sees well who sees the whole in the parts, and the parts in the whole. ~ Johann Caspar Lavater

I know but three classes of men: those who see the whole, those who see but a part, and those who see both together. ~ Johann Caspar Lavater

Learn to see, listen, and think for yourself. ~ Malcolm X

If you form the habit of going by what you hear others say about someone, or going by what others think about someone, instead of searching that thing out for yourself and seeing for yourself, you will be walking west when you think you’re going east, and you will be walking east when you think you’re going west. ~ Malcolm X

Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. ~ Marva Collins

There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see, yet small enough to solve. ~ Mike Leavitt

Don’t waste your time trying to control the uncontrollable, or trying to solve the unsolvable, or think about what could have been. ~ David Mahoney

...think about what you can control and solve the problem you can solve with the wisdom you have gained from both your victories and your defeats in the past. ~ David Mahoney

It is better to solve one problem five different ways, than to solve five problems one way. ~  George Pólya

Every problem is a gift—without problems we would not grow. ~ Tony Robbins

Learn to judge the thought independently of who says it or how. ~ Witold Gombrowicz

Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution. ~ Anonymous

When you place a high value on truth, you have to think for yourself. ~ Cornel West 

Start thinking for yourself, ask “why?” and even venture to say “why should I?” and pretty soon you will have half the world at your throat for being a “trouble maker.” ~ Christina Engela 

It is well known that “problem avoidance” is an important part of problem solving. Instead of solving the problem you go upstream and alter the system so that the problem does not occur in the first place. ~ Edward de Bono 

You can’t escape the madness of crowds by dogmatically rejecting them...The most contrarian thing of all is not to oppose the crowd but to think for yourself. ~ Peter Thiel

Today, take the limits off of yourself. You will never rise higher than your thinking. Get a bigger vision for your life. ~ Joel Osteen 

Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. ~ Denis Waitley 

You have to change your thinking if you desire to have a future different from your present. ~ Germany Kent 

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems—not people; to focus your energies on answers—not excuses. ~ William Arthur Ward 

The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year. ~ John Foster Dulles 

Again and again, the impossible decision is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made. ~ Robert Schuller 

The biggest problem in the world could have been solved when it was small. ~ Harold Witter Bynner 

The wise person devotes more time to structuring problems by considering potential consequences before acting. This leads to better judgments, better foresight, and to behavior that increases the probability of desired outcomes, or decreases the probability of undesired outcomes. ~ Moshe F. Rubinstein 

Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit. ~ M. Scott Peck 

If you choose to not deal with an issue, then you give up your right of control over the issue and it will select the path of least resistance. ~ Susan Del Gatto 

We always hope for the easy fix: the one simple change that will erase a problem in a stroke. But few things in life work this way. Instead, success requires making a hundred small steps go right – one after the other... ~ Atul Gawande 

When faced with a problem you do not understand, do any part of it you do understand and then look at it again. ~ Robert Heinlein 

...we have all, at some point, confused doing something—anything—with actually solving the problem. ~ Sherry Thomas  

When are you going to stop thinking about things that don’t matter and start thinking about what lies ahead for you? ~ Madeleine Brent 

Do not let yourself be contaminated by others’ ideas of what is best for you. Cast aside the shackles of destructive thinking. ~ Kai Greene 

Consistency is respecting the flames while aiming to extinguish problems at the base of the fire. ~ Dexter A. Daniels 

The problem is not the problem, it’s your attitude about the problem. ~ Ann Brashares 

You will only be remembered for two things: the problems you solve or the ones you create. ~ Mike Murdock 

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80 Problem Solving Quotes to Boost Your Thinking

Why not turn to quotes about problem solving when faced with a challenge? These nuggets of wisdom can be a powerful source of inspiration, offering unique insights that can help you unlock your creativity and uncover innovative solutions. Whether you're dealing with a complex math problem, trying to navigate a tricky business situation, or simply grappling with the everyday issues that life throws at you, these quotes can provide you with a fresh perspective and the motivation you need to tackle your problems head on. Imagine the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles, of finding answers where there seemed to be none - all fueled by the wisdom encapsulated in these quotes!

Quick Jump To

• Famous Problem Solving Quotes

Short Problem Solving Quotes

Top 10 problem solving quotes, more problem solving quotes.

The Most Famous Problem Solving Quotes

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When you confront a problem you begin to solve it. — Rudy Giuliani 45

Life is a continuous exercise in creative problem solving. — Michael J. Gelb 28

No problem can be solved until it is reduced to some simple form. The changing of a vague difficulty into a specific, concrete form is a very essential element in thinking. — John Pierpont Morgan 57

Successful problem solving requires finding the right solution to the right problem. We fail more often because we solve the wrong problem than because we get the wrong solution to the right problem. — Russell L. Ackoff 89

If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions. — Albert Einstein 67

Problem talk creates problems, Solution talk creates solutions. — Steve de Shazer 121

The best place to solve a problem is on paper. — Jim Rohn 32

Creativity can solve almost any problem. — George Lois 59

Whatever creativity is, it is in part a solution to a problem. — Brian W. Aldiss 47

Problems are challenges to creative minds. Without problems, there would be little reason to think at all. — Earl Nightingale 44

Design is a response to a specific problem. You are given a problem to solve, and then you let the problem itself tell you what your solution is. — Chip Kidd 66

The solution to a problem changes the nature of the problem. — John Peers 48

Problems are good, as long as you solve them quickly. — Meg Whitman 56

Any solution to a problem changes the problem. — R. W. Johnson 42

Things are solved by walking around. — Saint Augustine 0

• When you can't solve the problem, manage it. — Robert H. Schuller
• It's better to solve the right problem approximately than to solve the wrong problem exactly. — John Tukey
• Never attack a problem without also presenting a solution. — Jim Rohn
• If there is a problem you can't solve, then there is an easier problem you can't solve: find it. — George Polya
• A problem well stated is a problem half-solved. — Charles Kettering
• If you can't solve a problem, it's because you're playing by the rules — Paul Arden
• Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems. — Anthony D'Angelo
• Prosperity isn't found by avoiding problems, it's found by solving them. — Tim Fargo
• Each problem that I solved became a rule , which served afterwards to solve other problems. — Rene Descartes
• We only think when we are confronted with problems. — John Dewey

A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. — Albert Einstein 633

Intelligence is what you use when you don't know what to do. — Jean Piaget 313

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced . — Soren Kierkegaard 295

Life is not a problem to be solved, but an experience to be had. — Alan Watts 288

I would like to remind the black ministry and indeed all black people that God is not in the habit of coming down from heaven to solve people's problems on earth. — Steven Biko 276

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. — Albert Einstein 270

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. — Albert Einstein 245

Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet. — Maya Angelou 229

You will only be remembered for two things: the problems you solve or the ones you create. — Mike Murdock 216

Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem which it was intended to solve. — Karl Popper 190

Problem Solving Image Quotes

The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing. — James Brown 91

Solve all your problems through meditation. — Lahiri Mahasaya 82

Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to just stop caring. — Jon Mead 52

People Writing About Problem Solving

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. — Colin Powell 525

The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers — Lev S. Vygotsky 289

You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own. — Michelle Obama 284

If I had only one hour to save the world, I would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem, and only five minutes finding the solution. — Albert Einstein 180

Human ordeals thrive on ignorance. To understand a problem with clarity is already half way towards solving it. — Amartya Sen 172

If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good. — Shantideva 166

The stronger person is not the one making the most noise but the one who can quietly direct the conversation toward defining and solving problems. — Aaron T. Beck 166

Jiu-jitsu puts you completely in the moment, where you must have a complete focus on finding a solution to the problem. This trains the mind to build that focus, to increase your awareness, your capacity to solve problems. — Rickson Gracie 165

You have to ask yourself the question 'Who am I?' This investigation will lead in the end to the discovery of something within you which is behind the mind. Solve that great problem and you will solve all other problems. — Ramana Maharshi 161

Your success and happiness depend on your willingness to help others solve their problems. — T. B. Joshua 151

Your rewards in life are determined by the kinds of problems you are willing to solve for someone. — Mike Murdock 150

Comfort is the god of our generation, so suffering is seen as a problem to be solved, and not a providence from God. — Matt Chandler 142

Conquering the universe one has to solve two problems: gravity and red tape. We could have mastered gravity. — Wernher Von Braun 132

The best thing that can happen to a human being us to find a problem, to fall in love with that problem, and to live trying to solve that problem, unless another problem even more lovable appears. — Karl Popper 132

No one will really understand politics until they understand that politicians are not trying to solve our problems. They are trying to solve their own problems - of which getting elected and re-elected are number one and number two. Whatever is number three is far behind. — Thomas Sowell 132

The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking. If we want to change the world we have to change our thinking...no problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew. — Albert Einstein 131

Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them. — Albert Einstein 129

Eureka! Eureka! Supposed to have been his cry, jumping naked from his bath and running in the streets, excited by a discovery about water displacement to solve a problem about the purity of a gold crown. — Archimedes 122

A lawyer’s either a social engineer or … a parasite on society … A social engineer [is] a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who [understands] the Constitution of the United States and [knows] how to explore its uses in the solving of problems of local communities and in bettering conditions of the underprivileged citizens. — Charles Hamilton Houston 120

The real question of life after death isn't whether or not it exists, but even if it does what problem this really solves. — Ludwig Wittgenstein 114

The secret of success is to find a need and fill it, to find a hurt and heal it, to find somebody with a problem and offer to help solve it. — Robert H. Schuller 113

Creativity is our biggest resource in negotiation. — William Ury 110

Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived. Follow the path that is no path, follow your bliss. — Joseph Campbell 109

Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. — Barbara Johnson 109

Worry is irrelevant. It alters nothing. When was the last time you solved a problem by worrying about it? — Max Lucado 107

As much as 95% of quality related problems in the factory can be solved with seven fundamental quantitative tools. — Kaoru Ishikawa 104

In Conclusion

Isn't it true that we all encounter problems in life and in our relationships? That's where quotes about problem solving come in. They remind us that we're not alone, that others have faced similar challenges and have found ways to overcome them. They encourage us to collaborate, to solve problems together, and to foster stronger, more resilient relationships in the process. Reading and reflecting on these quotes can help us cultivate a problem-solving mindset, one that views challenges not as insurmountable hurdles, but as opportunities for growth and learning. So, why not embrace the power of problem-solving quotes and let them guide you on your journey to success?

Which quotation resonated with you best? Did you enjoy our collection of problem solving quotes? Or may be you have a slogan about problem solving to suggest. Let us know using our contact form .

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35 Inspiring Quotes On Problems

A problem is seen as a situation that needs to be given attention and solved. On the journey to success, we are bound to encounter many problems and challenges but we have to face them. Here are some quotes on problems that will guide you.

Inspiring Quotes On Problems

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” Robert Schuller

“Everyone has problems, but don’t lose your happiness just because you focus too much on your problems.” Anonymous

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” Bernard Williams

“No matter what our problem, God is the solution.” Pauline Creeden

Also read: 35 Inspiring Successful Women Quotes

“Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.” Rita Schiano

“Face your problems.” Anonymous

“Problems are the gifts that make us dig out and figure out who we are, what we’re made for, and what we’re responsible to give back to life.” Tony Robbins

“Life without problems is a school without lessons.” Anonymous

“Sometimes problems don’t require a solution to solve them; instead they require maturity to outgrow them.” Steve Maraboli

“Running away from your problems is a race you’ll never win.” Anonymous

“There are no big problems, there are just a lot of little problems.” Henry Ford

Also read: 35 Inspiring Quotes On Reflection

“Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them.” Charles De Montesquieu

“Money problems can always be solved by a man not frightened by them.” Robert Heinlein

“Best way to escape from your problems is to solve them.” Anonymous

“Narrow your life down to this moment. Your life situation may be full of problems – most life situations are – but find out if you have a problem at this moment. Do you have a problem now?” Eckhart Tolle

“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” Tina Fey

“Knowing your own mind is the solution to all our problems.” Thubten Yeshe

“When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.” Anthony J. D’Angelo

“Most of the problems in life are because of two reasons: We act without thinking or we keep thinking without acting.” Zig Ziglar

“An entrepreneur is a problem solver.” ATGW

“I love places that make you realize how tiny you and your problems are.” Anonymous

Also read: 35 Inspiring Quotes For Light

“There is no magic wand that can solve our problems. The solution rests with our work and discipline.” Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

“Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution.” Anonymous

“Believe me, every problem has a solution. Some just take longer to figure out.” Anonymous

“Life is good when you forget about your problems, even if it’s just for a little while.” Anonymous

“The more you complain about your problems, the more problems you will have to complain about.” Zig Ziglar

“A good life is not a life without problems. A good life is a life with good problems.” Mark Manson

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is the incredible amount of overthinking you’re doing with the problem. Let it go and be free.” Marc&Angel

All problems are illusions of the mind.” Eckhart Tolle

“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don’t think too much about your problems in life. They are just test papers given by God to see how much you have learned from his subject called life.” Anonymous

“God does not create a lock without its key and God does not give you problems without its solutions – trust him.” Anonymous

“As long as you are happy with your life, you’ll have less problems.” Angelique Kidjo

“Enjoy life, despite the problems, they are solvable.” Anonymous

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Problem Solving Quotes to Tackle Life’s Puzzles

Famous problem solving quotes will ignite your creativity, sharpen your wits, and equip you with the tools to conquer life’s challenges.

If you’re ready to embrace problem-solving as an exciting adventure, these meaningful quotes will make you think outside the box.

Best Problem Solving Quotes

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. Albert Einstein

A problem well stated is a half-solved problem. John Dewey

Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines. Robert Schuller

A problem is your chance to do your best. Duke Ellington

Everyone has problems, but don’t lose your happiness just because you focus too much on your problems.

Making something is about problem solving. Philip Seymour Hoffman

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope. Bernard Williams

I’m not afraid of problem solving. There is always a way. Hanneli Mustaparta

No matter what our problem, God is the solution. Pauline Creeden

If knowledge can cause problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them. Isaac Asimov

Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys. Rita Schiano

Problems are the gifts that make us dig out and figure out who we are, what we’re made for, and what we’re responsible to give back to life. Tony Robbins

Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to let it go unsolved. Joe Marie Fadrigalan

Face your problems.

It is courage that can find a solution to every problem. Amit Kalantri

Life without problems is a school without lessons.

There is always a solution to every challenging situation. Layla Gifty Akita

Sometimes problems don’t require a solution to solve them; instead they require maturity to outgrow them. Steve Maraboli

It’s no use talking about the problem until you talk about the solution. Betty Williams

Running away from your problems is a race you’ll never win.

Every problem has a solution; It can sometimes just require another approach. Katherine Russell

There are no big problems, there are just a lot of little problems. Henry Ford

Believe that there is a solution to your problem. Tremendous things happen to a believer. Then believe me the answer will come. This. Norman Vincent Peele

Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them. Charles De Montesquieu

The problem is not in finding the answer, it is in facing the answer. Terrence McKenna

Money problems can always be solved by a man not frightened by them. Robert Heinlein

If your only tool is a hammer then every problem looks like a nail. Abraham Maslow

Best way to escape from your problems is to solve them.

Too many problem solving sessions become battlefields where decisions are made based on strength rather than intelligence. Margaret J. wheatley

Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles. Tina Fey

The world we live in is so unpredictable, creativity, problem solving and communication skills as well as the ability to learn and adapt to change are imperative. Ellen Dehez

Narrow your life down to this moment. Your life situation may be full of problems most life situations are but find out if you have a problem at this moment. Do you have a problem now? Eckhart Tolle

You can hone your problem solving skills by honing your ability to ask questions. Michael J. Gelbo

Knowing your own mind is the solution to all our problems. Thubten Yeshe

Problem solving, inventing, hacking and coding is more of an adrenaline rush of endorphins rather than a feeling. Walter O’Brien

When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves. Anthony J. D’Angelo

Problem solving is essential for engineering. Engineers are constantly looking to do things better. Dinesh Paliwal

Most of the problems in life are because of two reasons: We act without thinking or we keep thinking without acting. Zig Ziglar

I became accustomed to problem solving through the process of building or designing something. The architecture school was really impressive and wonderful. Evan Sharp

I am wary of the word invent, because in the British psyche the word inventor is immediately associated with crazy. To me, inventing is problem solving. Thomas Heatherwick

Chess can open up a child’s brain, and develop it in a creatively creative way. They can learn by playing about creative, strategic and logical thinking and quick problem solving. Judit Polgari

Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution.

The arts are most uniquely suited to provide youth with critical thinking skills, problem solving, teamwork and collaboration, empathy and tolerance and compassion, given other perspectives. Emma Walton Hamilton

I love places that make you realize how tiny you and your problems are.

Life is not about living without problems. Life is about solving problems. Tom Krause

There is no magic wand that can solve our problems. The solution rests with our work and discipline. Jose Eduardo dos Santos

Children who play outside develop better problem solving skills and have a stronger ability to work within a group. Jeff Foxworthy

Believe me, every problem has a solution. Some just take longer to figure out.

Problems do not go away. Work must be done through them or else they will remain a hindrance to the growth and development of the soul forever. M. Scott Peck

Life is good when you forget about your problems, even if it’s just for a little while.

Let’s teach boys in school the personally and financially valuable skills of self expression and emotional intelligence, mediation and problem solving. Naomi Alderman

The more you complain about your problems, the more problems you will have to complain about. Zig Ziglar

Children’s minds are so alive. They need to play. They need to imagine. And it helps them learn problem solving. John Breta

The problem is not the problem. The problem is the incredible amount of overthinking you’re doing with the problem. Let it go and be free.

Since we don’t know for sure what specific competencies today’s students will need tomorrow, we need to make sure they have critical thinking and problem solving abilities that go beyond any single technique or program. Huh. Eric Adams

A good life is not a life without problems. A good life is a life with good problems. Mark Manson

All problems are illusions of the mind. Eckhart Tolle

There are only two ways to solve a problem stop dwelling, and start doing. Emily Uraih

Don’t think too much about your problems in life. They are just test papers given by God to see how much you have learned from his subject called life.

Too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve. Roger Lewin

God does not create a lock without its key and God does not give you problems without its solutions trust him.

A problem is a chance for you to do your best. Duke Ellington

As long as you are happy with your life, you’ll have less problems. Angelique Kidjo

If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions. Albert Einstein

Enjoy life, despite the problems, they are solvable.

The best way to find a solution to a problem is to first understand it. Stephen Covey

Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. Ralph Waldo Emerson

There’s no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution. Betty Williams

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50 teamwork quotes to motivate and inspire your team

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Why is teamwork important?

How to share inspirational quotes for teams, 50 motivational quotes to encourage hard work and collaboration, motivating you to motivate your coworkers.

Success takes a village. No matter how independent your job may be, you never truly work alone. And your individual commitment is only one part of the equation. Everyone’s work facilitates or disrupts a team’s ability to reach their goals and objectives. 

That’s why encouraging teamwork is so important. Doing so acknowledges everyone’s value and reminds the group you can’t accomplish as much without the help of others.

It’s easy to get lost in your own world. Busy schedules, remote work , and personal ambitions can make it hard to see your importance as a team member. But absorbing others’ wisdom is a great way to stir up self-reflection and motivate teams to work as one . 

There are plenty of team-building exercises and motivational podcasts out there, but sometimes a single inspirational teamwork quote is enough to ignite a new perspective.

Effective collaboration goes beyond strong relationships and trust. It requires individuals being dedicated to a shared purpose. And company culture plays a big role in uniting people around a common vision. When team members see they’re linked to one another by the same cause, it has the potential to drive stronger and more productive teamwork. 

Aligning team members around common teamwork values brings enormous benefits , like: 

Bolstering a sense of belonging

Creating community

Discouraging information silos

Encouraging creative brainstorming and problem-solving

Improving communication skills and efficiency

Using a motivational team quote to stir up excitement may sound like a scene out of a blockbuster movie — like a heroic protagonist delivering a scene-stealing monologue. But there’s always space to lift up your team members and encourage better collaboration. Here are a few ways to share an inspirational quote:

In team meetings: Building a great team doesn’t have a finish line — you can always develop a deeper connection with your coworkers. Consider using a team quote as an icebreaker to kick off a meeting. Choose a motivational quote that aligns with the meeting’s goals and invite teammates to share their thoughts. It’s a good strategy to strengthen team unity and invite self-appraisal .

Via internal communication: Consistently including an inspirational team quote in a company bulletin reflects the importance of teamwork to the company. Remember that positive quotes for work are secondary. They can’t do all the heavy lifting. Teams are built through action , and sharing quotes should mirror a deep understanding of your team’s work motivators and build a supportive workplace environment .

During a project kickoff: Beginning a new project by sharing a motivational quote for work deepens your team’s understanding of the purpose or overall vision . In addition to aligning team members, using a quote to prompt the discussion of teamwork stresses its import and keeps collaboration front of mind. 

When celebrating milestones: Employee recognition boosts morale and engagement . During a team celebration, sharing an inspirational quote personalizes the acknowledgment of collective efforts. It also reinforces everyone’s sense of accomplishment and conveys that teamwork is valuable. 

Whether it’s overcoming failure , accepting the help of others , or the importance of knowledge sharing , there’s a teamwork quote for every occasion. 

Here are 50 motivational quotes that encourage deeper bonds and stronger teamwork: 

• "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford
• "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision… It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." - Andrew Carnegie
• “Extend a hand whether or not you know it shall be grasped." - Ryunosuke Satoro
• "I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance." - Steve Jobs
• “To me, teamwork is a lot like being part of a family. It comes with obligations, entanglements, headaches, and quarrels. But the rewards are worth the cost.” - Pat Summit
• "Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." - Mattie Stepanek
• "Teamwork makes the dream work." - John C. Maxwell
• "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African proverb
• "No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." - H.E. Luccock
• "Don’t take your culture for granted. There needs to be a constant renewal of values that lead to camaraderie." - Mike Krzyzewski
• "The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be." - Reid Hoffman
• "As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own." - Amy Poehler
• "Growth is never mere chance; it is the result of forces working together." - James Cash Penney
• "Learn from many but copy none." - Mark Sanborn
• "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow." - Helen Keller
• "Every mistake is an opportunity to improve competence." - Ken Blanchard
• “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.” - Vince Lombardi
• "I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." - Booker T. Washington
• "Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than the one where they sprang up." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
• “The most valuable gift you can give to humanity is a good example.” - Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
• "I always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come." - Michael Jordan
• “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.” - Louisa May Alcott
• "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run." - Babe Ruth
• "Great teamwork is the only way we create the breakthroughs that define our careers." - Pat Riley
• "When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else." - Iyanla Vanzant
• "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." - Harry Truman
• "The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble." - Serena Williams
• “Effectively, change is almost impossible without industry-wide collaboration, cooperation and consensus.” - Simon Mainwaring
• "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary." - Vidal Sassoon
• "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Isaac Newton
• "Each person must live their life as a model for others.” - Rosa Parks
• "Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question in her head: not, how can I always do this right thing myself, but: how can I provide for this right thing to be always done?" - Florence Nightingale
• "Don't think of it as failure. Think of it as time-released success." - Robert Orben
• "The ratio of we’s to I’s is the best indicator of the development of a team." - Lewis B. Ergen
• "Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there." - Virginia Burden
• "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin
• "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." - Phil Jackson
• “The best way to serve the individuals on the team is to see that the whole team wins.” - John C. Maxwell
• "Teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability." - Patrick Lencioni
• “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” - Rosalyn Carter
• "Surround yourself only with people who are going to take you higher." - Oprah Winfrey
• "Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person." - Mother Teresa
• "When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you." - Michelle Obama
• "One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• "Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." - Simon Sinek
• "Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." - Margaret Mead
• "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living." - Gail Sheehy
• "The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning." - Pelé
• "Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What's in it for me?" - Brian Tracy
• “I’ve never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else.” - Abby Wambach

A motivational quote can capture the essence of teamwork and push you to strive for deeper collaboration in your work. But while the world’s most outstanding thought leaders and pioneers can eloquently articulate concepts, real team motivation goes beyond words. 

As a team member, your work depends on cultivating trust and mutual respect with your coworkers. It’s a never-ending task that’s worth it since inspired team members won’t only hit strategic objectives — they’ll exceed them. And when you build deeper team connections, you open up the potential for more career contentment , creativity, and lifelong professional relationships . 

Reflecting on the teamwork quotes that ignite something within you is just the start. The next step is building an action plan to practice what they preach.

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Develop your leadership and strategic management skills with the help of an expert Coach.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

You need more than a quote to motivate a team

Developing agility and resilience in the core of your organization, leading people as people, a conversation with cynt marshall, ceo of the dallas mavericks, managers have a strong effect on team performance, for better or worse, how to make decisions like a multi-billion dollar corporation, data shows since pandemic team performance hinges on this leader skill, coaching insider: how to take a whole person approach to one-on-one meetings, leading from a distance: ideas for supporting your remote workforce in times of change, 7 management skills to guide teams through turbulent times, similar articles, the ultimate guide to motivating a team — and why it matters, teamwork skills self-appraisal comments: 40 example phrases, the importance of teamwork for agility at work, how to be a good team player: tips for becoming the dreamy coworker, build the dream team you need. 9 steps show you how, motivation and inspiration: examples in life and work, 50 deep questions to ask to build strong bonds, best leadership books: 29 of the most impactful reads, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Forgot password, resend verification email, problem solving sayings and quotes.

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old problem solving quotes, problem solving sayings, and problem solving proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Problem-solving becomes a very important part of our makeup as we grow into maturity or move up the corporate ladder. Zig Ziglar

Creating something is all about problem-solving. Philip Seymour Hoffman

I've learned over decades of building that a deadline is a potent tool for problem-solving. Adam Savage

Too many problem-solving sessions become battlegrounds where decisions are made based on power rather than intelligence. Margaret J. Wheatley

Problem solving is hunting. It is savage pleasure and we are born to it. Thomas Harris

Never bring the problem solving stage into the decision making stage. Otherwise, you surrender yourself to the problem rather than the solution. Robert H. Schuller

I'm not afraid of problem-solving. There is always a way. Hanneli Mustaparta

We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them. Albert Einstein

I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail. Abraham Maslow

Never try to solve all the problems at once make them line up for you one-by-one. Richard Sloma

One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment . . . ; If it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along. Franklin D.Roosevelt

Erroneous assumptions can be disastrous. Peter Drucker

Determine the thing that can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way. Abraham Lincoln

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. Douglas Adams

There's no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution. Betty Williams

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems. Mohandas K. Gandhi

The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations. David Friedman

As much as we may want to withdraw into a world of pure problem solving, we have to acknowledge that the most successful architectures are the ones you can actually convince someone to implement. Jesse James Garrett

We experience problem-solving sessions as war zones, we view competing ideas as enemies, and we use problems as weapons to blame and defeat opposition forces. No wonder we can't come up with real lasting solutions! Margaret J. Wheatley

Solving big problems is easier than solving little problems. Sergey Brin

I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it. Frank A. Clark

When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves. Anthony J. D'Angelo

Solving a problem created by debt... by creating more debt is a fool's errand. Olivier Sarkozy

Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. Denis Waitley

Don't find fault, find a remedy. Henry Ford

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems--not people; to focus your energies on answers--not excuses. William Arthur Ward

Make small commitments and keep them. Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Stephen R. Covey

There are two ways of meeting difficulties: You alter the difficulties or you alter yourself to meet them. Phyllis Bottome

To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask? Jim Rohn

Whatever your problem, no matter how difficult, you can release spiritual power sufficient to solve your problem. The secret is--pray and believe. Norman Vincent Peale

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63 Best Creativity Quotes To Transform the World

Creativity is a powerful force — a dynamic spark that drives innovation and progress.

It’s not just about creating art or producing novel ideas — it’s about envisioning new solutions to old problems, thinking outside the box, and daring to dream of a better future.

Whether it's an artist using their work to shed light on societal issues, a scientist thinking creatively to address environmental challenges, or a community leader innovating ways to uplift their neighborhood — creativity is at the heart of making a positive difference.

In fact, some of the world's most significant advancements and impactful initiatives have come from those who dared to think creatively — innovators, artists, and thinkers.

And we’ve gathered their words of wisdom here today.

Their insights illustrate the importance of creativity in forging a path towards a brighter, more just world.

These quotes will inspire you to unleash your own creativity and imagine new possibilities for a better future.

Whether you’re an artist, a problem solver, or anyone seeking inspiration to think more creatively, these quotes will light the spark within you. Dive in and let these powerful words fuel your creative spirit:

Best Quotes About Creativity

Famous quotes.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

“Creativity is the language we use to communicate the urgency of our dreams for a better future.” — Audre Lorde

“Our dreams may seem impossible, but our creativity can turn them into reality.” — Malala Yousafzai

“The most creative people are motivated by the grandest of problems that are presented before them.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson

“Odd how the creative power at once brings the whole universe to order.” — Virginia Woolf

“The power of our dreams and the creativity we employ can break the chains of injustice and oppression.” — Desmond Tutu

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” — Mary Lou Cook

“The creative adult is the child who survived.” — ​​Ursula Le Guin

“Creativity is the heartbeat of activism, and dreams are the fuel that drives our determination.” — Jamie Margolin

“The chief enemy of creativity is ‘good’ sense.” — Pablo Picasso

“True alchemy lies in this formula: ‘Your memory and your senses are but the nourishment of your creative impulse.’” — Arthur Rimbaud

“Creativity is that marvelous capacity to grasp mutually distinct realities and draw a spark from their juxtaposition.” — Max Ernst

Inspirational Quotes

“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working.” — Henri Matisse

“Creativity is our most powerful tool to shape the world we want to live in.” — Isra Hirsi

“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” — Neil Gaiman

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” — Ira Glass

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

“Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art: to bring all our energies to each encounter, to remain flexible enough to notice and admit when what we expected to happen did not happen. We need to remember that we are created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed.” — Maya Angelou

“Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream.” — Debby Boone

“Be wild; that is how to clear the river. The river does not flow polluted, we manage that. The river does not dry up, we block it. If we want to allow it its freedom, we have to allow our ideational lives to be let loose, to stream, letting anything come, initially censoring nothing. That is creative life. It is made up of divine paradox. To create one must be willing to be stone stupid, to sit upon a throne on top of a jackass and spill rubies from one’s mouth. Then the river will flow, then we can stand in the stream of it raining down.” — Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves

“Our dreams and creativity can rewrite the narratives of our future.” — Mari Copeny

“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.” — Elizabeth Gilbert

“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” — Maya Angelou

“Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.” — Rita Mae Brown

On Imagination

“That’s what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again.” — Walt Disney

“Everything you can imagine is real.” — Pablo Picasso

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.” — George Bernard Shaw

“Imagination is the source of all human achievement.” — Sir Ken Robinson

“Creativity begins to die when we fail to celebrate curiosity. We reward students for getting the right answer, but not for asking good questions. We promote managers for delivering results, but not for developing new ideas. Encouraging imagination is the mother of invention.” — Adam Grant

“Creativity fuels our imagination, and our imagination fuels our dreams of a better world.” — Greta Thunberg

“The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” — Toni Cade Bambara

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” — Kurt Vonnegut

“The precise role of the artist, then, is to illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through that vast forest, so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human dwelling place.” — James Baldwin

“Art is where what we survive survives.” — John Green , The Anthropocene Reviewed

“You cannot teach creativity — how to become a good writer. But you can help a young writer discover within himself what kind of writer he would like to be.” — Mario Vargas Llosa

“The artist is the only one who knows that the world is a subjective creation, that there is a choice to be made, a selection of elements. It is a materialization, an incarnation of his inner world. Then he hopes to attract others into it. He hopes to impose his particular vision and share it with others. And when the second stage is not reached, the brave artist continues nevertheless. The few moments of communion with the world are worth the pain, for it is a world for others, an inheritance for others, a gift to others, in the end. When you make a world tolerable for yourself, you make a world tolerable for others.” — Anaïs Nin

“Art helps us envision a world in which all of our goals for society are right before us. Use your creativity to bolster and expand your attention. You’re in it for the long haul.” — Imani Barbarin

“We need musicians and storytellers to bring healing to our culture, and we need that now, more than ever.” — Chloé S. Valdary

“Some of [my memoir] — perhaps too much — has been about how I learned to do it. Much of it has been about how you can do it better. The rest of it — and perhaps the best of it — is a permission slip: you can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up.” — Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“Art isn’t optional for humans.” — John Green , The Anthropocene Reviewed  

“Art is a group of highly sensitive people reporting back what reality is like for them.” — Pete Holmes

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” — Dieter F. Uchtdorf

On Innovation

“You can be creative in anything — in math, science, engineering, philosophy — as much as you can in music or in painting or in dance.” — Sir Ken Robinson

“Your brain gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings. You need to make it uncomfortable. You need to spend some time in another land, among people that do things differently than you. Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.” — Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

“Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void but out of chaos.” — Mary Shelley

“There is no innovation and creativity without failure.” — Brené Brown

“Dreams are the starting point of every revolution, and creativity fuels its fire.” — Gloria Steinem

“You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.” — Richard Bach

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” — Brené Brown , Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Short Creativity Quotes

“Creativity takes courage.” — Henri Matisse

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” — George Scialabbe

“Creativity is the way I share my soul with the world.” — Brené Brown , The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis

“Dreaming without action is merely a fantasy. Channel your creativity into real change.” — Jamie Margolin

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” — Sylvia Plath

“Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.” — Gustave Flaubert

“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” — Oprah Winfrey

“Creativity involves breaking out of expected patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” — Edward de Bono

“You can’t schedule creativity, it just happens.” — Brittany Cabriales

“The dreamers are the saviors of the world.” — James Allen

“Our dreams are the canvas, and our creativity is the paint that brings them to life.” — Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

On Creating

“Take your broken heart, make it into art.” — Carrie Fisher

“People who live in fear of others stealing their ideas generally don’t have many good ideas. Creativity is abundant. Execution is scarce. What prevails is not the best idea but the best implementation.” — Adam Grant

“Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.” — Bruce Garrabrandt

“Lots of people want to be the noun without doing the verb. They want the job title without the work. If you pick the wrong noun to aspire to, you’ll be stuck with the wrong verb, too. When people use the word creative” as a job title, it not only falsely divides the world into ‘creatives’ and ‘non-creatives,’ but also implies that the work of a ‘creative’ is ‘being creative.’ But being creative is never an end; it is a means to something else. Creativity is just a tool.” — Austin Kleon, in a blog post

“Establish a daily practice and use it as a way of getting through your days. Sometimes creative work really is just going through the motions. You don’t necessarily need a vision. Stick to your practice, and things will appear. There’s a Sex Pistols song with the lyric, ‘Don’t know what I want, but I know how to get it.’ That’s where I am. I don’t have a grand vision for the future… but I have a practice, and I am curious to see what turns up, and that’s why I get up in the morning.” — Austin Kleon, in a blog post

“Begin by learning to draw and paint like the old masters. After that, you can do as you like; everyone will respect you.” — Salvador Dali

On Being Creative

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

“I dream in fire but work in clay.” — Arthur Machen

“Overthinking the process will kill any career in the creative space. You just have to do, not think.” — Casey Neistat

“My future starts when I wake up every morning. Every day I find something creative to do with my life.” — Miles Davis

“Sometimes the creativity is in the rest.” — Joshua Kissi

“Resting is not a waste of time. It’s an investment in well-being. Relaxing is not a sign of laziness. It’s a source of energy. Breaks are not a distraction. They’re a chance to refocus attention. Play is not a frivolous activity. It’s a path to connection and creativity.” — Adam Grant 

“Rest nurtures creativity, which nurtures activity. Activity nurtures rest, which sustains creativity. Each draws from and contributes to the other.” — Kim John Payne

More Quotes

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” — Sophia Loren

“Creativity is problem-solving. Creativity is progress. Creativity is a tool. Harness yours.” — Alex Lieberman

“I’ve been having a long debate with myself about whether human creativity can exist absent problems to solve. I don’t think it can. Even if the problems are self-imposed (which they often are, at least in the beginning of the process) I think all creativity is problem solving.” — Hank Green ‍ ‍

“In the world of the dreamer there was solitude: all the exaltations and joys came in the moment of preparation for living. They took place in solitude. But with action came anxiety, and the sense of insuperable effort made to match the dream, and with it came weariness, discouragement, and the flight into solitude again. And then in solitude, in the opium den of remembrance, the possibility of pleasure again.” — Anaïs Nin

“The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.” — Bruce Lee

“Creative people need time to just sit around and do nothing. I get some of my best ideas when I’m bored, which is why I never take my shirts to the cleaners. I love ironing my shirts-it’s so boring, I almost always get good ideas. If you’re out of ideas, wash the dishes. Take really long walk. Stare at a spot on the wall for as long as you can. As the artist Maira Kalman says, ‘Avoiding work is the way to focus my mind.’” — Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

“But unless we are creators we are not fully alive. What do I mean by creators? Not only artists, whose acts of creation are the obvious ones of working with paint of clay or words. Creativity is a way of living life, no matter our vocation or how we earn our living. Creativity is not limited to the arts, or having some kind of important career.” — Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art

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Problem Solvers Quotes

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.

We evolved to be problem-solvers, to create, to be choosers of our own future!

Leaders are problem solvers by talent and temperament, and by choice.

IF YOUR JOB IS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, YOUR REAL JOB TITLE IS PROBLEM SOLVER.

Surround yourself with problem solvers, not problem creators.

Twenty-five years ago, the notion was you could create a general problem-solver software that could solve problems in many different domains. That just turned out to be totally wrong.

Failure is information-we label it failure, but it's more like, 'This didn't work, I'm a problem solver, and I'll try something else.'

I always say that, like a scientist or anyone, you always want to be the problem-solver. You feel like, if you solve the greatest mystery or the greatest problem, then that makes you brilliant. It's the same thing with an actress. You want to be able to really tackle a character and make it a fully-dimensional human being who is complicated, funny and all the things that a person could be.

Women tend to be problem solvers. We work together.

You want to hire #‎ entrepreneurs , people who are natural problem solvers -- the ones who see opportunity when most see impossibility.

The reward for being a good problem solver is to be heaped with more and more difficult problems to solve

There is a certain class of race problem-solvers who don't want the patient to get well, because as long as the disease holds out they have not only an easy means of making a living, but also an easy medium through which to make themselves prominent before the public.

I know a lot of great success stories of those who were excellent problem-solvers because they had found a need that they could fill well. As a result, they built organizations around them and those organizations had belief systems that could be described as a form of leadership.

I would have been completely brainwashed by this lopsided and racist view of the world if it weren't for my father. He was a deep thinker and an irrepressible problem solver. He was a Black Socrates, asking why and then spoiling ready-made replies.

We shall have to evolve problem-solvers galore since each problem they solve creates ten problems more.

Architecture is too slow in its realisation to be a 'problem solver'.

I am a woman, therefore I am a problem solver.

All intelligent problem solvers are subject to the same ultimate constraints - limitations on space, time, and materials.

Good problem-seekers are in higher demand than good problem-solvers.

The problem with this world is not enough problem solvers. So, if you become a problem solver you become rich.

Either man is obsolete or war is. War is the ultimate tool of politics. Political leaders look out only for their own side. Politicians are always realistically maneuvering for the next election. They are obsolete as fundamental problem-solvers.

There are street artists. Street musicians. Street actors. But there are no street physicists. A little known secret is that a physicist is one of the most employable people in the marketplace - a physicist is a trained problem solver.

The rationale for accepting or rejecting any theory is thus fundamentally based on the idea of problem-solving progress. If one research tradition has solved more important problems than its rivals, then accepting that tradition is rational precisely to the degree that we are aiming to "progress," i.e., to maximize the scope f solved problems. In other words, the choice of one tradition over its rivals is a progressive (and thus a rational) choice precisely to the extent that the chosen tradition is a better problem solver than its rivals.

It is obvious that mathematics needs both sorts of mathematicians, theory-builders and problem-solvers.

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Problem Solving Quotes Inspirational Quotes about Problem Solving

May you find great value in these inspirational Problem Solving Quotes from my large datebase of inspiring quotes and sayings.

The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem . It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one . - Albert Einstein

Related topics: Government Political Peace

Through violence , you may ' solve ' one problem , but you sow the seeds for another . - Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

If the problem can be solved , there is no use worrying about it. If it can't be solved, worrying will do no good . - Tibetan proverb

If we don't see a failure as a challenge to modify our approach, but rather as a problem with ourselves, as a personality defect, we will immediately feel overwhelmed. - Anthony Robbins

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The first step towards the solution of any problem is optimism. - John Baines

The acceptance of oneself is the essence of the whole moral problem and the epitome of a whole outlook on life. - Carl Jung

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problem. - Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty, but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong. - R. Buckminster Fuller

Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds. - Norman Vincent Peale

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. - Albert Einstein

Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth - don Miguel Ruiz

You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created. - Albert Einstein

If a problem cannot be solved, enlarge it. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

The secret of success is to find a need and fill it, to find a hurt and heal it, to find somebody with a problem and offer to help solve it. - Robert H. Schuller

Problem: attitude. - Miyagi: character in the movie Karate Kid

A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem. - Albert Einstein

Resistance creates suffering. Stress happens when your mind resists what is. The only problem in your life is your mind's resistance to life as it unfolds. - Dan Millman

No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it. - Charles M. Schulz' cartoon Peanuts

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. - John F. Kennedy

If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. - Abraham Maslow

If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal. - John Lennon

We cannot solve a problem by saying, "It's not my problem." We cannot solve a problem by hoping that someone else will solve it for us. I can solve a problem only when I say, "This is my problem and it's up to me to solve it. - M. Scott Peck

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. - Abraham Maslow

One of the greatest titles we can have is "old friend." We never appreciate how important old friends are until we are older. The problem is we need to start our old friendships when we are young. We then have to nurture and grow those friendships over our middle age when a busy life and changing geographies can cause us to neglect those friends. Today is the day to invest in those people we hope will call us "old friend" in the years to come. - Grant Fairley

I have treated many hundreds of patients. Among those in the second half of life - that is to say, over 35 - there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life. - Carl Jung

You have to realize: OK, I don't know how to solve a political problem, I don't know how to solve the pollution problem... all I know is in my own life, I need to figure out some sense of purpose, I need to figure out how to be happy... and I'm willing. - Jewel

I have one yardstick by which I test every major problem - and that yardstick is: Is it good for America? - Dwight D. Eisenhower

The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Possession isn't nine-tenths of the law. It's nine-tenths of the problem. - John Lennon

For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong. - H.L. Mencken

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. - Bertrand Russell

We may not always be aware of it, but we all create and repeat affirmations constantly. The problem is, we typically don't pay attention to exactly what those affirmations are saying. Often we go through the day giving ourselves all sorts of contradictory, or even negative messages. We may project confidence to the world around us, while our inner dialogue says... I hope this works. I am so nervous about this. I hope I don't blow it. Affirmations are self fulfilling prophecies. If we say, This is never going to work ... then chances are excellent it never will. - John Assaraf

I love my attitude problem. - Anonymous

Now we have a problem in making our power credible, and Vietnam is the place. - John F. Kennedy

Television has a real problem. They have no page two. - Art Buchwald

Life is an organic whole. The basic problems of the people - poverty, ignorance, disease and civic inertia - interlock. To address one problem, we must address all. Hence our emphasis on an integrated program of livelihood, education, health and self-government. - Jimmy Yen

The older I get, the more wisdom I find in the ancient rule of taking first things first. A process which often reduces the most complex human problem to a manageable proportion. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it. - Edward R. Murrow

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science. - Charles Darwin

Walking is good for solving problems - it's like the feet are little psychiatrists. - Pepper Giardino

Travelers, there is no path. Paths are made by walking. - Antonio Machado

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching. - St. Francis of Assisi

There's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. - the character Morpheus in the movie The Matrix

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. - Helen Keller

My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing. - Aldous Huxley

My biggest dream is that my words will inspire heart, hope and personal responsibility in people around the globe long after my feet in these shoes aren't walking the planet. - Mary Anne Radmacher

Walking takes longer... than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed. - Edward Abbey

If you are walking to seek, ye shall find. - Sommeil Liberosensa

All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Today, walking the beach, I was reminded of the bounty of the earth in the form of wild blackberries - a free feast, with no one else bothering to partake. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast. - Thomas Jefferson

I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying. - Charlie Chaplin

Walking is Zen, sitting is Zen. Then what will be the quality? Watchfully alert, joyously unmotivated, centered, loving, flowing, one walks. And the walking is sauntering. Loving, alert, watchful, one sits, unmotivated - not sitting for anything in particular, just enjoying how beautiful just sitting doing nothing is, how relaxing, how restful. - Osho

Crazy is walking down the street with half a cantaloupe on your head, muttering; "I'm a hamster, I'm a hamster." - the movie Spy Hard (1996)

My God, this is a hell of a job. I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends, my goddamn friends. They're the ones that keep me walking the floor at night. - Warren G. Harding

Give to your relatives, and to the needy, and to travelers. Do not squander your wealth in wantonness. - Quran 17:26

Our "Rainbows and Butterflies" are the small miracles of our life - the little things that are so easy to overlook, yet so awe inspiring when we take a moment to notice and to pay attention. Give thanks for the rainbows, for the butterflies, for all God's creatures - large and small, for the bright blue sky and the soft fog and the gentle rain, for the tree veiled in the season's first frost, for the baby's laugh, for the touch of a hand and the whispered "I love you." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I give thanks for both my bloom and my thorns. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Time, like life itself, has no inherent meaning. We give our own meaning to time as to life. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. - written on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor

One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others. - Lao Tzu

Give thanks for the rain in your life which waters the flowers of your soul. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Our opportunity is to Soar our Spirit. To see Light and Joy in everything. To spread our wings and fly boldly. To give thanks for rainbows and butterflies - our symbols of renewal and rebirth. To offer daily Thanksgiving - for ourselves, our family, our friends, our community, for the whole world. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

The enlightened give thanks for what most people take for granted. - Michael Beckwith

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln

I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving - I have gratitude for EVERYTHING that has ever occurred to bring me to this moment. I give thanks for the joys and the sufferings, the moments of peace and the flashes of anger, the compassion and the indifference, the roar of my courage and the cold sweat of my fear. I accept gratefully the entirety of my past and my present life. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

We all have our thorns. We, and Life, have our moments. Life occurs before our morning coffee. Life occurs in our bathrobe with our hair uncombed. Bless and give thanks for All of Life - the bloom and the thorns. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Give thanks for the rainbows, for the butterflies, for all God's creatures - large and small, for the bright blue sky and the soft fog and the gentle rain, for the tree veiled in the season's first frost, for the baby's laugh, for the touch of a hand and the whispered "I love you." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. - Jesus of Nazareth (John 13:34)

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May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

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The Role of Motivation in Complex Problem Solving

C. dominik güss.

1 Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States

Madison Lee Burger

Dietrich dörner.

2 Trimberg Research Academy, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany

The role of motivation in complex problem solving

Previous research on Complex Problem Solving (CPS) has primarily focused on cognitive factors as outlined below. The current paper discusses the role of motivation during CPS and argues that motivation, emotion, and cognition interact and cannot be studied in an isolated manner. Motivation is the process that determines the energization and direction of behavior (Heckhausen, 1991 ).

Three motivation theories and their relation to CPS are examined: McClelland's achievement motivation, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and Dörner's needs as outlined in PSI-theory. We chose these three theories for several reasons. First, space forces us to be selective. Second, the three theories are among the most prominent motivational theories. Finally, they are need theories postulating several motivations and not just one. A thinking-aloud protocol is provided to illustrate the role of motivational and cognitive dynamics in CPS.

Problems are part of all the domains of human life. The field of CPS investigates problems that are complex, dynamic, and non-transparent (Dörner, 1996 ). Complex problems consist of many interactively interrelated variables. Dynamic ones change and develop further over time, regardless of whether the involved people take action. And non-transparent problems have many aspects of the problem situation that are unclear or unknown to the involved people.

CPS researchers focus exactly on such kinds of problems. Under a narrow perspective, CPS can be defined as thinking that aims to overcome barriers and to reach goals in situations that are complex, dynamic, and non-transparent (Frensch and Funke, 1995 ). Indeed, past research has shown the influential role of task properties (Berry and Broadbent, 1984 ; Funke, 1985 ) and of cognitive factors on CPS strategies and performance, such as intelligence (e.g., Süß, 2001 ; Stadler et al., 2015 ), domain-specific knowledge (e.g., Wenke et al., 2005 ), cognitive biases and errors (e.g., Dörner, 1996 ; Güss et al., 2015 ), or self-reflection (e.g., Donovan et al., 2015 ).

Under a broader perspective, CPS can be defined as the study of cognitive, emotional, motivational, and social processes when people are confronted with such complex, dynamic and non-transparent problem situations (Schoppek and Putz-Osterloh, 2003 ; Dörner and Güss, 2011 , 2013 ; Funke, 2012 ). The assumption here is that focusing solely on cognitive processes reveals an incomplete picture or an inaccurate one.

To study CPS, researchers have often used computer-simulated problem scenarios also called microworlds or virtual environments or strategy games. In these situations, participants are confronted with a complex problem simulated on the computer from which they gather information, and identify solutions. These decisions are then implemented into the system and result in changes to the problem situation.

Previous research on motivation and CPS

The idea to study the interaction of motivation, emotion, and cognition is not new (Simon, 1967 ). However, in practice this has been rarely examined in the field of CPS. One study assessed the need for cognition (i.e., the tendency to engage in thinking and reflecting) and showed how high need of cognition was related to broader information collection and better performance in a management simulation (Nair and Ramnarayan, 2000 ).

Vollmeyer and Rheinberg ( 1999 , 2000 ) explored in two studies the role of motivational factors in CPS. They assessed mastery confidence (similar to self-efficacy), incompetence fear, interest, and challenge as motivational factors. Their results demonstrated that mastery confidence and incompetence fear were good predictors for learning and for knowledge acquisition.

CPS assessment

Before we describe three theories of motivation and how they might be related and applicable to CPS, we will briefly describe the WINFIRE computer simulation (Gerdes et al., 1993 ; Schaub, 2009 ) and provide a part of a thinking-aloud protocol of one participant while working on WINFIRE. WINFIRE is the simulation of small cities surrounded by forests. Participants take the role of fire-fighting commanders who try to protect cities and forests from approaching fires. Participants can give a series of commands to several fire trucks and helicopters. In WINFIRE quick decisions and multitasking are required in order to avoid fires spreading. In one study, participants were also instructed to think aloud, i.e., to say aloud everything that went through their minds while working on WINFIRE. These thinking-aloud protocols, also called verbal protocols, were audiotaped and transcribed in five countries and compared (see Güss et al., 2010 ).

The following is a verbatim WINFIRE thinking-aloud protocol of a US participant (Güss et al., 2010 ):

Ok, I don't see any fires yet. I'm trying to figure out how the helicopters pick up the water from the ponds. I put helicopters on patrol mode. Not really sure what that does. It doesn't seem to be moving. Oh, there it goes, it's moving…I guess you have to wait till there's a fire showing…Ok, fire just started in the middle, so I have to get some people to extinguish it. Ok, now I have another fire going here. I'm in trouble here. Ok. Ok, when I click extinguish, it don't seem to respond. Guess I'm not clear how to get trucks right to the fire. Ok, one fire has been extinguished, but a new one started in the same area. I'm getting more trucks out there trying to figure out, how to get helicopters to the pond. I still haven't figured that out, because they have to pick up the water. Ok, got a pretty good fire going here, so I'm going to put all the trucks on action, ok, water thing is making me mad. Ok. I'm not sure how it goes? Ok, the forest is burning up now—extinguish! Ok, ok, I'm in big trouble here…

Psychological theories of motivation and their application to CPS

Mcclelland's human motivation theory.

In his Human Motivation theory, McClelland distinguishes three needs (power, affiliation, and achievement) and argues that human motivation is a response to changes in affective states. A specific situation will cause a change in the affective state through the non-specific response of the autonomic nervous system. This response will motivate a person toward a goal to reach a different affective state (McClelland et al., 1953 ). An affective state may either be positive or negative, determining the direction of motivated behavior as either approach oriented, i.e., to maintain the state, or avoidance oriented, i.e., to avoid or discontinue the state (McClelland et al., 1953 ).

Motivation intensity varies among individuals based on perception of the stimulus and the adaptive abilities of the individual. Hence, when a discrepancy exists between expectation and perception, then a person will be motivated to eliminate this discrepancy (McClelland et al., 1953 ). In the statement from the thinking-aloud protocol we can infer the participant's achievement motivation, “ Guess I'm not clear how to get trucks right to the fire. Ok, one fire has been extinguished, but a new one started in the same area.” The participant at first begins to give up and reduce effort, but then achieves a step toward the goal. This achievement causes the reevaluation of the discrepancy between ability and the goal as not too large to overcome. This realization motivates the participant to continue working through the scenario. Whereas, the need for achievement seems to guide CPS, the needs for power and affiliation cannot be observed in the current thinking-aloud protocol.

Based on the previous discussion we can derive the following predictions:

• Prediction 1 : Approach-orientation will lead to greater engagement in CPS compared to avoidance-orientation.
• Prediction 2 : Based on an individual's experience either power, affiliation, or achievement will become dominant and guide the strategic approach in CPS.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow, 1943 , 1954 ) suggests that everyone has five basic needs that act as motivating forces in a person's life. Maslow's hierarchy takes the form of a pyramid in which needs lower in the pyramid are primary motivators. They have to be met before higher needs can become motivating forces. At the bottom of the pyramid are the most basic needs beginning with physiological needs, such as hunger, and followed by safety needs. Then follow the psychological needs of belongingness and love, and then esteem. Once these four groups of needs have been met, a person may reach the self-fulfillment stage of self-actualization at which time a person can be motivated to achieve ones full potential (Maslow, 1943 ).

The first four groups of needs are external motivators because they motivate through both deficiency and fulfillment. In essence, a person fulfills a need which then releases the next unsatisfied need to be the dominant motivator (Maslow, 1943 , 1954 ). The safety need is often understood as seeking shelter, but Maslow also understands safety also as wanting “a predictable, orderly world” (Maslow, 1943 , p. 377), “an organized world rather than an unorganized or unstructured one” (Maslow, 1943 , p. 377). Safety refers to the “common preference for familiar rather than unfamiliar things” (Maslow, 1943 , p. 379).

In this sense the safety need becomes active when the person does not understand what is happening in the microworld, as the following passage of the thinking-aloud protocol illustrates. “ I put helicopters on patrol mode. Not really sure what that does. It doesn't seem to be moving.” The safety need is demonstrated in the person's desire for organization, since unknown and unexpected events are seen as threats to safety.

The esteem need as a motivator becomes evident through the statement, “ Guess I'm not clear how to get trucks right to the fire.” The participant becomes aware of his inability to control the situation which affects his self-esteem. The esteem need is never fulfilled in the described situation and remains the primary motivator. The following statements show how affected the participant's esteem need is by the inability to control the burning fires. “ Ok. I'm not sure how it goes? Ok, the forest is burning up now—extinguish! Ok, ok, I'm in big trouble .”

• Prediction 3 : A strong safety need will be related to elaborate and detailed information collection in CPS compared to low safety need.
• Prediction 4 : People with high esteem needs will be affected more by difficulties in CPS and engage more often in behaviors to protect their esteem compared to people with low esteem needs.

Dörner's theory of motivation as part of PSI-theory

PSI-theory described the interaction of cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes (Dörner, 2003 ; Dörner and Güss, 2011 ). Only a small part of the theory is examined here. Briefly, the theory encompasses five basic human needs: the existential needs (thirst, hunger, and pain avoidance), the sexuality need, and the social need for affiliation (group binding), the need for certainty (predictability), and the need for competence (mastery). If the environment is unpredictable, the certainty need becomes active. If we are not able to cope with problems, the competence need becomes active. The need for competence also becomes active when any other need becomes activated. With an increase in needs, the arousal increases.

The first three needs cannot be observed or inferred from the thinking-aloud protocol provided. Statements like, “I'm trying to figure out how the helicopters pick up the water from the ponds.” and “Guess I'm not clear how to get trucks right to the fire,” demonstrate the needs for certainty and competence, i.e., to make the environment predictable and controllable.

The following statements reflect the participant's need for competence, i.e., the inefficacy or incapability of coping with problems. “ I'm in trouble here…ok, water thing is making me mad .” Not being able to extinguish the fires that are approaching cities and are destroying forests is experienced as anger. The arousal rises as the resolution level of thinking decreases. So, the participant does not think about different options in an elaborate manner. Yet, the participant becomes aware of his failure. The competence need then causes the participant to search for possible solutions, “ I still haven't figured that out because they have to pick up the water…” The need for competence is satisfied when the problem solver is able to change either the environment or ones views of the environment.

• Prediction 5 : A strong certainty need is positively related to a strong competence need.
• Prediction 6 : High need for certainty paired with high need for competence can lead to safeguarding behavior, i.e., background monitoring.
• Prediction 7 : An increase in the competence and uncertainty needs leads to increased arousal and a lower resolution level of thinking. CPS becomes one-dimensional and possible long-term and side-effects are not considered adequately.

Summary and evaluation

We have briefly discussed three motivation theories and their relation to CPS referring to one thinking-aloud protocol: McClelland's achievement motivation, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and Dörner's needs as outlined in PSI-theory.

A Comparison of Three Need Theories in the Context of CPS.

Comparing the scope of the three theories and referring to the scope and different needs covered in the three theories, McClelland's theory describes three needs (power, affiliation, and achievement), Maslow's theory describes five groups of needs (physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, self-actualization), and Dörner's theory describes five different needs (existential, sexuality, affiliation, certainty, and competence).

All three theories can be applied to CPS. McClelland's need for achievement, Maslow's needs for esteem and safety, and Dörner's needs for certainty and competence could be inferred from the thinking–aloud passage. The need for affiliation which is a part of each of the three theories could play an important role when groups solve complex problems.

The existential needs and the need for affiliation outlined in PSI-theory can also be found in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. These two theories differ in the adaptability of the needs. However, Maslow's esteem needs are only activated as the primary motivator as the physiological needs, belongingness, and love needs are met. The needs are more fluidly described as motivators in PSI-theory. One need becomes the dominant motive according to the expectancy–value principle. Expectancy stands for the estimated likelihood of success. The value of a motive stands for the strength of the need. According to McClelland's theory, the role of three motivations develops through life experience in a specific culture; and often times, one of the three becomes the main driving force for a person, almost like a personality trait. In that sense, there is not much flexibility.

Motivation and emotion are closely related as became partially clear in the discussion of McClelland's theory. Emotions are discussed in detail in PSI-theory, but space does not allow us to discuss those in detail here (see Dörner, 2003 ). Emotions are not described in detail in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Individual differences in motivation and needs are discussed in two of the three theories. According to McClelland, a person develops an individual achievement motive by learning one's own abilities from past achievements and failures. Based on different learning histories, different persons will have a different dominant motivation guiding behavior in a given situation. Learning history also influences the competence need in PSI-theory. Additionally PSI-theory assumes individual differences that are simulated through different individual motivational parameters in the theory. The certainty need, for example, becomes active when there is a deviation from a given set point. Individual differences are related to different set points and how sensitive the deviations are (e.g., deviation starts quickly vs. deviation starts slowly).

The thinking-aloud example from the WINFIRE microworld described earlier demonstrates that a person's CPS process is influenced by the person's needs. We have focused in our discussion on motivational processes that are considered in the framework of need theories. Beyond that, other motivational theories exist that focus on the importance of motivation for learning and achievement (e.g., expectancy, reasons for engagement, see Eccles and Wigfield, 2002 ). Thus, the applicability of these theories to CPS could be explored in future studies as well.

We discussed the three motivational theories of McClelland's Achievement Motivation, Maslow's Hierarchy of Need, and Dörner's Theory of Motivation as part of PSI-Theory. Although, the theories differ our discussion has shown that the three theories can be applied to CPS. Problem solving is a motivated process and determined by human motivations and needs.

Author contributions

The first author CG conceptualized the manuscript, selected the thinking-aloud passage, the second author MB primarily summarized McClellands and Maslow's theories. All authors contributed to writing up the manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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