Solve 1.5 Problems a Week

78 Solutions is a mindset for deliberate practice in software — choosing the right challenges, solving them well, and building momentum without burning out.

About 78 Solutions

Choose the Right Problems

Some problems aren’t worth solving. This method helps you spot the ones that matter — the ones with long-term payoff and deep learning.

Solve Them Well

Write, test, improve. Then do it again. You’ll build skill through repetition and code reuse, turning your codebase — and your career — into a perpetual training ground.

Stand on Your Own Shoulders

Every solution is a seed. Let your past solutions guide (or help solve) your future problems, and let your systems evolve with you over time.

How It Works

Each week, you choose 1.5 problems to solve. Perhaps you will choose one problem worth solving and one small improvement to your toolkit. Or perhaps you will solve three problems over two weeks. The goal isn’t just to ship — it’s to learn while you build, and to build things worth keeping.

1. Frame the Right Question

Define a problem clearly and tie it to a bigger purpose. Even small problems can unlock big growth if chosen wisely.

2. Solve It Deliberately

Work with focus, using habits that sharpen your thinking — like writing tests, reflecting on what’s hard, or reusing past solutions.

3. Log, Reuse, Repeat

Document your progress. Save what works. Each solution becomes a tool in your belt — for next week, next project, or your future self.

Latest Resources

Recent articles and submissions from contributors — or technically, just one (for now). Want to publish something on 78solutions.com? Visit the contributors page to learn how.

Recent Articles

On software reuse: FitnessTracker and SharePhotos

Reusable software is one of my personal principles because it delivers better software experiences to customers and provides better business value for me. The FitnessTracker project created the opportunity to lift Rust modules out of FitnessTracker, drop them into a new project, write custom React for the front end and add some new modules to create a totally new product. This article tells that story.

Blog – August 2025

Recent Links

OpenAI - Open Models

OpenAI has released two permissively licensed models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, designed for agentic workflows and full transparency. Available on Hugging Face and GitHub, they offer a rare glimpse into OpenAI’s approach to open-source development.

Fitnesstracker.ca - Beginner Bodyweight Routine

Bodyweight workouts are a great way to get started on a fitness journey. Not only is it nice not having to invest in a bunch of equipment, but over the months this routine will get much easier and is a great barometer on how far you have come in your fitness journey.