The 3M Framework to Solve the Unsolvable: Mindset, Motivation, Method

Summary

• Adopt a holistic problem-solving system: Entrepreneurship is a professional problem-solving exercise that requires a unified 3M Framework rather than relying on quick fixes.

  • Mindset: Growth-oriented, stoic perspective

  • Motivation: Sustainable intrinsic energy

  • Method: Strategic tactics like First Principles
    

• Recognise the specific costs of deficits: The absence of any component leads to distinct failure modes:

  • Without the right mindset, founders crumble under pressure

  • Without motivation, they burn out

  • Without the right method, they become "busy fools" working hard in the wrong direction
    

• Bridge the "Method" gap: While founders usually bring the vision and drive (Mindset and Motivation), they often lack the operational expertise (Method) for running a company. Mezzanine Enterprise fills this void by providing the necessary frameworks for corporate governance and compliance.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of being a business owner, entrepreneurship is, at its core, professional problem-solving. More than just building and owning a product, you are also navigating a minefield of challenges that range from technical bugs and cashflow crunches to interpersonal conflicts and market downturns.

When you hit a wall on your entrepreneurial journey, you may be tempted to scramble for a hack or a quick fix. But sustainable success requires a systematic approach. This is known as the 3M framework, comprising three key components: mindset, motivation, and method. To master any problem, you need all three components working in tandem. 

This article elucidates the 3M framework’s components and how they work together as one consolidated engine to drive entrepreneurial success.

The 3M Framework

1. Mindset (The Lens)

• What it is: How you view the problem.

• The shift: 

  • The fixed mindset says, "I can't do this; I'm not smart enough." 

  • The growth mindset (coined by Dr. Carol Dweck) says, "I can't do this yet."

• Stoicism in business: A founder’s mindset must be stoic. You cannot control the market, but you can control your reaction to it. Crises serve as a test of your ability to handle pressure, driving you to be creative in formulating solutions.

• The deficit: If you have method and motivation but the wrong mindset, you will crumble at the first sign of failure.

2. Motivation (The Fuel)

• What it is: The energy required to push through the resistance.

• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic: 

  • Extrinsic motivation (eg: money and fame) is like sugar, giving you a quick high followed by a crash. 

  • Intrinsic motivation (eg: purpose, curiosity, and autonomy) works more like complex carbs; while slow-burning, it provides you with long-lasting energy.

• The Why:  When you are staring at a blank screen at midnight, your "Why" is the only thing that keeps you typing.

• The deficit: If you have the mindset and method but no motivation, you will burn out. You will be a capable person who simply doesn't care enough to execute.

3. Method (The Tool)

• What it is: The strategy, tactics, and frameworks used to solve the problem.

• First principles thinking: Breaking a problem down to its fundamental truths and building up from there.

• Lean methodology: Build, Measure, Learn.

• The deficit: If you have the right mindset and high motivation but the wrong method, you will wind up as a busy fool, working excessively in the wrong direction.

Mezzanine Enterprise Empowers Your Business with the Method

As a founder, you bring the mindset (vision and resilience) and the motivation (drive and passion) to the table. But you may find yourself lacking the method, or the operational method, of running a company. This includes structuring a board meeting, managing equity, or ensuring compliance with Singaporean laws.

This is where Mezzanine Enterprise enters the picture to fill the method gap.

We build operational frameworks that propel you toward success, implementing comprehensive systems for corporate governance and administration.

With us managing your backend, you channel your mindset and motivation towards scaling your business. 

Talk to us now to learn how we can help you: https://www.mezzanineenterprise.com/contact