--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't win if you're chasing the wrong…" description: "\"You can't win if you're chasing the wrong problem.\" — Paul Wolfowitz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png" --- # You can't win if you're chasing the wrong problem. ![“You can't win if you're chasing the wrong problem.” quote by Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png) > “You can't win if you're chasing the wrong problem.” [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Chasing the wrong problem wastes effort; focus on the real issue for success **In simple terms:** Identify the true problem before acting Key Takeaway Prioritize problem identification Themes strategy focus efficiency critical thinking Mood determined analytical Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - project planning - startup pivots - resource allocation Key Concepts problem solving goal alignment Questions to Reflect On - What is the core issue you’re overlooking? - How can you verify you’re solving the right problem? A Different Perspective Misidentifying the problem leads to failure ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chasing/) [Chasing Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chasing-wrong-968375/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) [Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win/) [Win Chasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win-chasing-2486874/) [Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong/) [Wrong Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-problem-331314/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [You cant win if youre chasing the wrong problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/you-cant-win-if-youre-chasing-the-wrong-problem/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Stop chasing the wrong things if you want the right things to catch you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaceem-aveiro/stop-chasing-the-wrong-things-if-you-want-the-right-things-to-catch/) [Kaceem Aveiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaceem-aveiro/) > [When you stop chasing the wrong things you give right things a chance to catch you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-stop-chasing-the-wrong-things-you-give-right-things-a-chance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Chasing after the wrong things can make you loose a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/chasing-after-the-wrong-things-can-make-you-loose-a-good-thing/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morrie-schwartz/so-many-people-walk-around-with-a-meaningless-life-they-seem-half-2/) [Morrie Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morrie-schwartz/) > [Sometimes failure is merely chasing you off the wrong road and onto the right one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tudor-jones/sometimes-failure-is-merely-chasing-you-off-the-wrong-road-and-onto/) [Paul Tudor Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tudor-jones/) > [Stop chasing the wrong people, & let the right person catch you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ngetich/stop-chasing-the-wrong-people-let-the-right-person-catch-you/) [Patrick Ngetich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ngetich/) > [The worst misstep one can make in design is to solve the wrong problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-carroll/the-worst-misstep-one-can-make-in-design-is-to-solve-the-wrong-problem/) [John M. Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-carroll/) > [It is better to do the right problem the wrong way than the wrong problem the right way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hamming/it-is-better-to-do-the-right-problem-the-wrong-way-than-the-wrong/) [Richard Hamming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hamming/) > [The manager who comes up with the right solution to the wrong problem is more dangerous than the manager who comes up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-manager-who-comes-up-with-the-right-solution-to-the-wrong-problem/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [That akward moment when someone ask u whats wrong and they are the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sizwe-excellent/that-akward-moment-when-someone-ask-u-whats-wrong-and-they-are-the/) [Sizwe Excellent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sizwe-excellent/) > [If Perl is the solution, you're solving the wrong problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-naggum/if-perl-is-the-solution-you-re-solving-the-wrong-problem/) [Erik Naggum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-naggum/) > [That awkward moment when someone asks you what's wrong and they're the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-awkward-moment-when-someone-asks-you-what-s-wrong-and-they-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What others think of you, if wrong, is none of your problem! :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruzaika-deen/what-others-think-of-you-if-wrong-is-none-of-your-problem/) [Ruzaika Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruzaika-deen/) > [It's better to solve the right problem approximately than to solve the wrong problem exactly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tukey/it-s-better-to-solve-the-right-problem-approximately-than-to-solve/) [John Tukey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tukey/) ## More by Paul Wolfowitz > [Our security depends on having good relationships with our allies. Donald Trump mainly shows contempt for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/our-security-depends-on-having-good-relationships-with-our-allies/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [It is kind of nice to have a common purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/it-is-kind-of-nice-to-have-a-common-purpose/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [I certainly don't like a label that suggests I believe that the military is the solution to most of the world's problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/i-certainly-don-t-like-a-label-that-suggests-i-believe-that-the/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [People change their habits. I know Americans who don't go to Paris because they think it is too dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/people-change-their-habits-i-know-americans-who-don-t-go-to-paris/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq. Those who want to come and help are welcome. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/i-think-all-foreigners-should-stop-interfering-in-the-internal/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [For the private sector to flourish, special privilege must give way to equal opportunity and equal risk for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/for-the-private-sector-to-flourish-special-privilege-must-give-way-to/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Islamic State is mainly a direct result of the failure in Syria. That's where IS has grown. That's where IS spread from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/islamic-state-is-mainly-a-direct-result-of-the-failure-in-syria-that/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [I think one has to say it's not just simply a matter of capturing people and holding them accountable, but removing the sanctuaries, removing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/i-think-one-has-to-say-it-s-not-just-simply-a-matter-of-capturing/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [I told my father I had to try political science for a year. He thought I was throwing my life away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/i-told-my-father-i-had-to-try-political-science-for-a-year-he-thought/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [It's wonderful that so many people want to contribute to fighting aids or malaria. But, if somebody isn't paying attention to the overall health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/it-s-wonderful-that-so-many-people-want-to-contribute-to-fighting/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Jobs are a priority for every country. Doing more to improve regulation and help entrepreneurs is the key to creating jobs - and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/jobs-are-a-priority-for-every-country-doing-more-to-improve/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [I certainly think it's important to speak up and say how unacceptable Donald Trump is. I'm always more than willing to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/i-certainly-think-it-s-important-to-speak-up-and-say-how-unacceptable/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Support for peaceful reform by the people themselves is the right way to promote democracy, not the use of force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/support-for-peaceful-reform-by-the-people-themselves-is-the-right-way/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Someone once said that history has more imagination than all the scenario writers in the Pentagon, and we have a lot of scenario writers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/someone-once-said-that-history-has-more-imagination-than-all-the/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [Iraq has no history of ethnic conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/iraq-has-no-history-of-ethnic-conflict/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) [Explore all 75 Paul Wolfowitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) ## More Chasing quotes > [Don't go chasing love because it'd leave you heart-broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-polydor/don-t-go-chasing-love-because-it-d-leave-you-heart-broken/) [Steve Polydor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-polydor/) > [Creativity is like chasing chickens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-niemann/creativity-is-like-chasing-chickens/) [Christoph Niemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-niemann/) > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The people who put you down don't have to stop you from chasing your dreams. Stand up, and prove them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/the-people-who-put-you-down-don-t-have-to-stop-you-from-chasing-your/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [I say I'm chasing dreams but you know I've been running away from, running away from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-posner/i-say-i-m-chasing-dreams-but-you-know-i-ve-been-running-away-from/) [Mike Posner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-posner/) > [If its meant to be, it will be. End of story. Im not chasing you if you're chasing after someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-its-meant-to-be-it-will-be-end-of-story-im-not-chasing-you-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm chasing my goals, and I haven't been able to make things happen the way I want them to happen. It doesn't feel good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-dos-santos/i-m-chasing-my-goals-and-i-haven-t-been-able-to-make-things-happen/) [Junior dos Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-dos-santos/) > [I was kind of like chasing my tail and trying to do the right thing, and was a little bit stupid. Or irresponsible, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-was-kind-of-like-chasing-my-tail-and-trying-to-do-the-right-thing/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Don't loose your respect chasing people who don't care about.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb/don-t-loose-your-respect-chasing-people-who-don-t-care-about/) [Caleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb/) > [“Two things you will never have to chase: True friends & true love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/two-things-you-will-never-have-to-chase-true-friends-true-love/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [Instead of being with a person that sincerely cares and wants to be with us, we long for some one who is chasing after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-being-with-a-person-that-sincerely-cares-and-wants-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are always chasing yourself, if you have testing sessions you test it out then but it's also a thing of growing a team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guenther-steiner/you-are-always-chasing-yourself-if-you-have-testing-sessions-you-test/) [Guenther Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guenther-steiner/) > [ People say, "Look, your book \[Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty's Favorite Uncle\] is about tall tales." And I said, "No, you don't understand,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/si-robertson/people-say-look-your-book-tales-and-wisdom-from-duck-dynasty-s/) [Si Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/si-robertson/) > [I'm not going to stress over you anymore. It really isn't worth it. I've tried to work everything out, but you've ignored it. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-going-to-stress-over-you-anymore-it-really-isn-t-worth-it-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The only bad dreams are those not worth chasing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-bad-dreams-are-those-not-worth-chasing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 1,181 Chasing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chasing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't win if you're chasing the wrong problem.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Wolfowitz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wrong-problem/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chasing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wrong-problem/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/paul-wolfowitz-9082_chasing_you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wron_2668798.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can't win if you're chasing the wrong problem.” — Paul Wolfowitz", "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": "Paul Wolfowitz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can't win if you're chasing...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wrong-problem/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/you-can-t-win-if-you-re-chasing-the-wrong-problem/#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 } } ] } ```