Stay on Top of Problems

Dear Matt,

Stay on top of problems, or they will crush U. Like a BJJ competitor, problems will try to interfere with U and get on top of U.

U submit opponents while expending less energy if U can stay on top of them. Similarly, U can far more easily solve problems if U've stayed on top.

What does staying on top mean? Tracking the problem instead of ignoring it, periodically checking in on the problem, dividing and conquering, and doing just one piece.

Problems U forget about have a way of surprising U and going for the submission at inconvenient moments. Problems never attack at convenient moments because they wait for U to let down your guard.

If U stay on top of a problem for long enough U can solve it. Solved problems may never recur, or if they do U'll have a good sense of how to deal with them. After victory, readjust your helmet​.