Are You Solving the Wrong Problem?

Plus: Mike Michalowicz on my show TODAY and Give Yourself a Break

Pat Miller
May 05, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Why are we working so hard and not getting anywhere? It’s probably because we’re solving the WRONG PROBLEM.

Michael Rampolla from Fortum Advisors came on Businessing with Pat Miller last week spilled the beans on WHY we charge ahead and end up getting nothing important done.

He shared that when we feel stuck, we don't sit in it. We hate sitting in it, so we grab whatever action is closest and we run. The running feels productive because we're moving and we're not stuck anymore. Except half the time we're running in the wrong direction and we just don't know it yet.

Michael's fix is dead simple:

Before you do X to get Y, write down what Y looks like. Run the experiment.
If X got you Y, do more of it.

If X did not get Y, do not just try harder or "do it tomorrow." Stop.
Check your assumptions about why X was supposed to work in the first place.

Most owners skip that step. We lean in harder, post more, drop the price, work longer hours. Same input, same wrong output, more exhaustion. Trying harder cannot save a wrong assumption.

So pick the one thing you've been working hard at and not getting paid for. Write down what success was supposed to look like. Then ask, honest answer only, did the thing actually do the thing? If not, the assumption is broken, and another week of harder is just gonna make you tired-er. And yes, that’s a word. (at least it is now.)

Tweet of the week

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GUEST ALERT - Mike Michalowicz Live TODAY!

Mike Michalowicz, the guy who wrote Profit First, our Keynote Speaker at #SBOC26 is on Businessing with Pat Miller today at 11 CT.

We’ll catch up about his new book, The Money Habit, and get a preview of what he will share at the Conference in September!

This year’s conference is going to be a hot ticket. We have 115 seats and over 275 people standing by to snatch their ticket.

SBOC members get access on Monday, 5/11
Wait List folks get access on Tuesday, 5/12
(click to get on the free, no obligation wait list)
The general public gets access on Wednesday 5/13

Join me on the show today to chat with Mike and make sure to join us at #SBOC26 in September!

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Now, GO SELL SOMETHING!

Pat