--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The moment you think the problem is…" description: "\"“The moment you think the problem is outside of you, that thought is the problem.”\" — Michael Olpin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg" --- # The moment you think the problem is outside of you, that… ![“The moment you think the problem is outside of you, that thought is the problem.” quote by Michael Olpin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg) > ““The moment you think the problem is outside of you, that thought is the problem.”” Michael Olpin ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Blaming external factors prevents personal growth; recognizing internal responsibility is the first step to solving problems. **In simple terms:** External blame hinders self‑improvement. Key Takeaway Own your role in challenges to find solutions. Themes responsibility self‑awareness growth Mood thoughtful empowering Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - personal development workshops - leadership training - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology philosophy problem solving Questions to Reflect On - What internal changes can you make now? - How do you differentiate internal vs. external causes? A Different Perspective Some problems truly stem from external sources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It's not what they're not doing or should be doing that's the issue. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/look-at-the-weaknesses-of-others-with-compassion-not-accusation-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every time you think the problem is 'out there,' that very thought is the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/every-time-you-think-the-problem-is-out-there-that-very-thought-is/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“Anytime we think the problem is “out there,” that thought is the problem. We empower what’s out there to control us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/anytime-we-think-the-problem-is-out-there-that-thought-is-the-problem-2/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [Anytime we think the problem is out there, that thought is the problem. We empower whats out there to control us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anytime-we-think-the-problem-is-out-there-that-thought-is-the-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As long as you think the problem is out there, that very thought is the problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/as-long-as-you-think-the-problem-is-out-there-that-very-thought-is/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Thought is powerless, except it make something outside of itself: the thought which conquers the world is not contemplative but active.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kingdon-clifford/thought-is-powerless-except-it-make-something-outside-of-itself-the/) [William Kingdon Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kingdon-clifford/) > [I think I am at the end of a certain phase of my life. What I'm on the lookout for now is the unexpected,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-think-i-am-at-the-end-of-a-certain-phase-of-my-life-what-i-m-on-the-2/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [The principles of the Vedanta not only should be preached everywhere in India, but also outside. Our thought must enter into the make-up of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-principles-of-the-vedanta-not-only-should-be-preached-everywhere/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I think I am at the end of a certain phase of my life. What I'm on the lookout for now is the unexpected,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-think-i-am-at-the-end-of-a-certain-phase-of-my-life-what-i-m-on-the/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [We look at problems happening halfway across the world and we think, 'Well, that's their problem.' But it's not. ... When you solve somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-rania-of-jordan/we-look-at-problems-happening-halfway-across-the-world-and-we-think/) [Queen Rania of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-rania-of-jordan/) > [“Break the problem down into manageable pieces, then solve each piece. Think of the problem as an enemy, and defeat them in detail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-alanson/break-the-problem-down-into-manageable-pieces-then-solve-each-piece/) [Craig Alanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-alanson/) > [I turned away because I thought you were the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daft-punk/i-turned-away-because-i-thought-you-were-the-problem/) [Daft Punk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daft-punk/) > [“The key is to do something else until your brain is consciously free of any thought of the problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-oakley/the-key-is-to-do-something-else-until-your-brain-is-consciously-free/) [Barbara Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-oakley/) > [Everything has been thought of before, but the problem is to think of it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/everything-has-been-thought-of-before-but-the-problem-is-to-think-of/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Well, if it can be thought, it can be done, a problem can be overcome,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-if-it-can-be-thought-it-can-be-done-a-problem-can-be-overcome/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Michael Olpin > [“He who is different from me does not impoverish me—he enriches me. —Antoine de St. Exupery”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-olpin/he-who-is-different-from-me-does-not-impoverish-me-he-enriches-me/) Michael Olpin > [“I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-olpin/i-was-set-free-because-my-greatest-fear-had-been-realized-and-i-was/) Michael Olpin Explore all 3 Michael Olpin quotes ## More Problem solving quotes > [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [“Nothing is easier than yesterday's solutions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-sperry/nothing-is-easier-than-yesterday-s-solutions/) Roger Sperry > [I’m I really working on the right thing, or once I put the solution in place I’m I going to get the benefit out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-evans/i-m-i-really-working-on-the-right-thing-or-once-i-put-the-solution-in/) [Dave Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-evans/) > [When you have solved the problem of controlling the attention of the child, you have solved the entire problem of its education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/when-you-have-solved-the-problem-of-controlling-the-attention-of-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Every problem has a solution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilas-taha/every-problem-has-a-solution/) Lilas Taha > [If you seek only easy problems to solve, then ultimately, there'll be nothing about you to distinguish yourself from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/if-you-seek-only-easy-problems-to-solve-then-ultimately-there-ll-be/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“Having a process that ensures problems are brought to the surface, and their root causes diagnosed, assures that continual improvements occur.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/having-a-process-that-ensures-problems-are-brought-to-the-surface-and/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [When I hit bottom, I can attack the problem and get to where I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/when-i-hit-bottom-i-can-attack-the-problem-and-get-to-where-i-want-to/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [Of course design is about problem solving, but I cannot resist adding something personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wim-crouwel/of-course-design-is-about-problem-solving-but-i-cannot-resist-adding/) [Wim Crouwel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wim-crouwel/) > [Dont focus on problems, they are plentiful and never ending. Instead be a Solution Seeker, one who looks for opportunities in everything. Remember, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/dont-focus-on-problems-they-are-plentiful-and-never-ending-instead-be/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Before it can be solved, a problem must be clearly defined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/before-it-can-be-solved-a-problem-must-be-clearly-defined/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [Music is a lot more like solving an intricate puzzle with moments of pure, random creative bliss... whereas painting is much more purely random…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-boyd/music-is-a-lot-more-like-solving-an-intricate-puzzle-with-moments-of/) [Brandon Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-boyd/) > [“Consultants use four tools to solve clients’ biggest problems. You can use the exact same tools to tackle any type of case interview: Hypothesis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cheng/consultants-use-four-tools-to-solve-clients-biggest-problems-you-can/) [Victor Cheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cheng/) > [I got 99 problems and spring break can solve them all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-got-99-problems-and-spring-break-can-solve-them-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It’s a Problem When It’s a Problem”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-a-problem-when-it-s-a-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 3,119 Problem solving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The moment you think the problem is outside of you, that thought is the problem.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Olpin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-olpin/the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outside-of-you-that-thought-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Problem solving" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-olpin/the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outside-of-you-that-thought-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/michael-olpin-87881_problem-solving_the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outs_754316.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The moment you think the problem is outside of you, that thought is the problem.” — Michael Olpin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Olpin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-olpin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The moment you think the problem...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-olpin/the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outside-of-you-that-thought-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-olpin/the-moment-you-think-the-problem-is-outside-of-you-that-thought-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```