Name the problem accurately before trying to defeat it.

A great deal of effort goes into solving problems that were described wrongly at the start. Calling it a motivation problem when it is a clarity problem, or a money problem when it is a decision problem, sends everything that follows in the wrong direction. Getting the name right is not a preliminary step, it is most of the work.

Write down what you think the problem is, then ask whether that is a description or an assumption. Try stating it two other ways. The version that makes you slightly uncomfortable is often closer to the real one.