The industry rewards you for the problems you can solve. Society values you for the solutions you create and the challenges you’re willing to tackle.
And you—like everyone else—want to be valued and compensated accordingly.
You’ve probably heard the saying:
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
But here’s a different perspective—what if you are actually the average of the problems you solve?
🔍 Evaluate the Problems You’re Solving
Take a moment to reflect on your daily work and ask yourself:
- What kinds of problems am I solving each day?
- Are these problems impactful, or just routine?
- Who benefits from my solutions—an individual, a department, or the entire organization?
- Are my solutions scalable beyond one person or one team?
If you realize that your efforts mostly address small, individual issues, it might mean your work isn’t yet creating a broader impact.
You may be answering questions, not necessarily solving core problems that drive meaningful change.
🚀 How to Elevate Your Impact and Value
1. Be Around Major Problems
Position yourself where big challenges exist. Seek out projects or departments dealing with issues that affect the organization’s direction or performance.
2. Ask for Impactful Opportunities
Don’t wait for them to come to you. Speak to your leaders or managers about contributing to larger, strategic problems that truly matter.
3. Surround Yourself with Problem Solvers
Network with people and organizations tackling significant issues. Exposure to their thinking helps you grow your own problem-solving abilities.
4. Evaluate Your Growth Regularly
Every two to three months, reflect on your progress. Are you working on more impactful problems? Are your solutions reaching more people or improving broader systems?
🌟 Final Thoughts
Your value grows with the scale of the problems you solve.
If you want to be paid more, recognized more, and respected more—start focusing on bigger, bolder, and more meaningful problems.
Don’t just aim to work hard—aim to work impactfully.
That’s how you become truly indispensable in your industry.
KeyPoint.Plus 
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