"No paso mi tiempo pontificando sobre cosas de alto concepto; paso mi tiempo resolviendo problemas de ingeniería y fabricación."

This quote is all about focusing on the nuts and bolts of a situation rather than getting lost in theoretical discussions. It’s the idea that action and practical problem-solving are what drive progress, not just talking about grand ideas.

Historically, this mindset often pops up in the tech and engineering worlds. Take, for example, Elon Musk. He’s known for tackling concrete problems head-on, whether it’s figuring out how to build reusable rockets with SpaceX or making electric cars mainstream with Tesla. Instead of getting bogged down in endless meetings about what might work, he focuses on figuring out what *will* work and then just does it.

Let’s bring this down to a real-life scenario. Imagine you’re part of a team tasked with developing a new smartphone. The high-concept discussions might involve dreaming up all sorts of futuristic features — like holographic displays or mind-controlled interfaces. Sounds cool, right? But if the team spends all its time on these high-concept ideas without addressing the real, tangible engineering and manufacturing issues, that shiny new smartphone will remain just a dream.

Here’s a practical example: In the 1990s, Apple was struggling. Then Steve Jobs returned, not with grand theories but with concrete actions. He streamlined Apple’s product line, focusing on building a few great products instead of many mediocre ones. He solved real problems and the results were tangible — the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone. Each product wasn’t just a high-concept dream, it was a practical, well-engineered solution that people could actually use.

So how do you apply this wisdom? Next time you’re faced with a challenge, resist the urge to get lost in brainstorming the “next big thing” unless you’ve got a solid foundation first. Focus on the immediate problems and solve them. If you’re developing a new app, for instance, rather than getting caught up in making it the most innovative app ever, first make sure it’s user-friendly, bug-free, and functional. Get the basics right, then build on that.

Think about a school project where you need to create a presentation. It’s easy to get sidetracked imagining all the cool animations and transitions you could include. But if you spend all your time on that, you might miss the deadline or end up with a presentation that looks great but lacks substance. Instead, focus first on the content — make sure your information is solid and well-organized. Once you’ve got that nailed down, then you can add the bells and whistles.

Or imagine you’re a chef opening a new restaurant. You could spend hours dreaming about the perfect ambiance, the decor, the music. But if you don’t focus on getting the kitchen running smoothly, sourcing quality ingredients, and perfecting your dishes, all the ambiance in the world won't make up for bad food.

In a nutshell, prioritize solving the real problems in front of you. The big ideas can come later, once you’ve built a solid foundation. This approach doesn’t just apply to engineering or business; it’s a life lesson. Solve the problems you can see and touch — the rest will follow.