How to Solve Problems Faster by Working Smarter, Not Harder

Lazy or Smart?: Rethinking Efficiency in Problem Solving

You may have heard this quote from Bill Gates before.

“I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”
— Bill Gates

What a lot of people call “laziness” is often something smarter than that. The desire to find simpler solutions — a core principle of simplicity in problem solving — doesn’t come from wanting to avoid work. It comes from a strong dislike of unnecessary complication.

As a problem solver, I look for the most direct path to a solution. Speed isn’t the main goal, but efficiency in problem solving is far better than getting buried in complexity or dragging things out — it’s the difference between progress and paralysis. Think of it like getting a car stuck in mud. You could spin the tires and make things worse, or you could think it through and get out with as little damage as possible.

This way of thinking isn’t about cutting corners — and that distinction matters. Unlike cutting corners, true efficiency is about finding the smartest route to the finish line. It values results, though the process still matters too. The people Gates calls “lazy” might be better described as people who naturally want to simplify and improve how things get done.

Teams often need both types of people. They need creative problem solvers who can streamline a process, and they also need detail-focused people who make sure those solutions last. But if I had to pick one, I’d agree with Gates. I’d choose the person who finds clever solutions, proves that they work, and gets results — over someone who gets lost in red tape and endless procedures.

The key question is this: Is your main goal to document every step of the journey, or is it to actually reach the destination? The most valuable team members know how to get to success while still leaving enough of a trail so others can follow.

As Gates suggests, the person searching for the simplest solution that actually works embodies intelligent efficiency — and might just be the smartest problem solver in the room.

Image generated with the help of AI (ChatGPT & DALL·E)