Bill Gates Shares His Two-Step Secret To Problem-Solving, A Technique He's Used Since Teenage: 'It's Surprisingly Hard'

Core Insights - Bill Gates shared his problem-solving approach in a blog post titled "The Buzz Stops Here," emphasizing its effectiveness since his teenage years, particularly during significant challenges like the pandemic [2][3] - Gates' method involves asking two key questions: "Who has dealt with this problem well? And what can we learn from them?" He noted that while these questions appear simple, finding actionable answers can be quite difficult [3][4] Group 1: Problem-Solving Technique - Gates' problem-solving technique has been consistent throughout his life, helping him address major issues effectively [2] - The two fundamental questions he poses to himself guide his approach to finding solutions [3] - Gates acknowledges the challenge in deriving actionable solutions from seemingly straightforward questions [4] Group 2: Personal Development and Influences - Gates attributes his problem-solving skills to childhood habits, particularly his love for reading, which has been a consistent theme in his life [5] - He has openly discussed overcoming personal challenges, such as procrastination during his time at Harvard, which has contributed to his problem-solving abilities [6] - Larry Ellison highlighted that Gates' success is not just due to intelligence but also his focus and endurance, which are crucial for long-term success [7]