One Problem.
“At some point, everything’s gonna go south on you and you’re going to say, this is it. This is how I end. Now you can either accept that, or you can get to work. That’s all it is. You just begin. You do the math. You solve one problem and you solve the next one, and then the next. And If you solve enough problems, you get to come home.”
Often the biggest challenge is to know what problem to solve next. At least that's how I feel at the beginning of a research project. Clearly, the stakes aren't so high for a designer as they are for a botanist stuck on Mars. Still, whether it's planting potatoes to survive, or defining a research question, you just begin.
The math part is essential. While not all problems can be put into an equation, it is possible to prioritize tasks in sequential order. The same day I watched The Martian, Mike Roller, my professor of Translational Research, taught my class how to do that. He showed us how to break down a project into week-long sprints composed of attainable tasks (i.e., problems). It's pretty simple, really. Write down all of your unanswered questions and then measure their importance. Translate the questions into specific tasks and move them into week-long sprints. Start!
My problem? I ended up down rabbit holes without a specific question I'm trying to answer. Several readings or interviews later and I still haven't made steps towards translating the research into a product or service (hence the class name). The solution? Listen to Matt Damon and Mike. Solve one [specific] problem at a time and then move on to the next.
So, what's the problem you're trying to solve right now? Is this article helping you solve it? If not, move on.
Side note: The Martian is good. I'm glad I finally watched it. Also, I love the quote above. Regardless of location and how dire the straights, it applies to each and every one of us. Think about it.