What Problem Is Your Business Solving?

Many people will tell you the easiest path to success is to find someone already successful and emulate what they do. Nothing is wrong with that, but I can’t think of anything more boring. People tend to gravitate to that thinking because it’s a shortcut. Making money is hard, and anything that makes that process easier or shorter is appealing. I get it. 

However, the best businesses and the most successful people don’t just perform a task and make money. They solve a problem or facilitate an opportunity. Uber, Tesla, Apple, Netflix, and Microsoft approached their business with that mindset. They were designed to solve humanity’s most significant challenges and opportunities. However, even the smallest companies can develop solutions that people care about. 

I believe there is a profound difference between making money and earning money. This may sound harsh, but if you perform the same daily tasks that thousands of others do, you are probably just making money. That is what most people do; again, nothing is wrong with that. 

However, if you are solving a problem or facilitating an opportunity, you are in a different category and are, without question, earning your money. If you are solving a problem important enough to someone, they will be willing to pay you. If the problem you are solving or the opportunity you are creating is important to a large number of people, you will make a lot of money. 

When you commit yourself to solving a problem for people, your purpose in business changes. Your mindset changes. You become less concerned with competition and margins and focus exclusively on solving that problem. For me, this is a much more exciting approach to business. Problem solvers have more purpose in their work. A purpose-driven business or career is far more exciting and fulfilling for most people. 

Think about your business or job. Ask yourself what problem you are solving for people and how you can improve at solving that problem. This self-reflection is a powerful tool that can lead to simple tweaks or even a complete overhaul of your business, empowering you to make a positive change.