If everything is fine, I bet there would be existential threat to human survival. Let me explain. If there is no problem to solve, then all of us would have nothing to do. Why then do we pretend as if the world would be a better place if everything is what it should be?
You may argue it but problem defines life. You are either solving someone else’s problem or someone is solving your own problem to make a living. A problem is anything that causes the slightest difficulty for man and needs a solution. Therein lies opportunity.
A world without a problem erodes the opportunity for invention and stifles creativity. When opportunity stops, hope dims. When there is nothing to hope for, life becomes boring and uninspiring. Does that world really exist? Only in the imagination of man.
We all think because we have brain. What varies is the quality of our thinking. To define a problem is easy, what determines the solution is the type of thinking of the thinker. Some thinking are outrage based while some are outcome based. I recommend the latter.
What is outcome based thinking? You must first admit there is a problem to solve and a change to be made because change requires awareness. An outcome based thinker knows the problem, admits the reality but is geared more towards a pragmatic solution to the problem.
An outrage based thinking may not be the exact opposite of an outcome based thinking but it could produce worse results because it is hinged on emotion without direction, assumption without precision. An outrage based thinker over-analyses the problem, trades blame, but does little to solve the problem.
It is true the world needs strategic thinkers but things are moving so fast there is no time for overthinking. Perhaps what the world needs more are thinkers who double as doers because the world thrives on imperfection. Nothing will ever be perfect. If today is perfect, tomorrow will be unnecessary.
A problem can make or mar you, depending on your response. A problem would not leave you where it met you, it either moves you forward or backwards. Outrage based thinking focuses on the problem, it can roll you backwards, whereas outcome based thinking focuses on solution that sees beyond the moment.
Would everything be fine all the time? No human being enjoys that privilege. If you have not experienced any loss or disappointment before, it is not because you are smart. When life treats you below your bargain, remember the distinction between outrage based thinking and outcome based thinking.
The seat on the fence is not for problem solvers. Beyond the outrage, be decisive and solution oriented. If you are against, what are you for?
©️ Akin Oluwadare Jnr.
05 October 2026
