Math vs. Arithmetic: Unleashing Creative Problem-Solving

Redefining “Math”: Why Most of Us Have It Backwards

When you hear the word “math,” what pops into your head?

For most of us, it’s a jumble of numbers, equations, and that gnawing anxiety from high school algebra. If you’re like me—and especially if you grew up with dyscalculia or math phobia—you might have spent years believing you “just aren’t a math person.”

But here’s the secret nobody tells you:

Math and arithmetic are not the same.

Arithmetic is the rote memorization of steps: adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing. Math, in its truest sense, is the art of solving problems—of recognizing patterns, thinking strategically, and finding creative ways through complexity.

The Myth of the “Math Person”

Let’s get real:

Most of us are not human calculators, and we shouldn’t have to be. My own journey with dyscalculia taught me that my value isn’t measured in rapid-fire mental math, but in my ability to see connections others might miss. It’s not about tallying up receipts in your head or solving quadratic equations on demand—it’s about asking, “How can I make this work? What tools can I use? How can I make this easier?”

Math = Creative Problem-Solving

When I started my own business, Markit, I realized I was doing more “math” than ever—but not the kind that happens on a calculator.

Instead, I was untangling systems, automating workflows, and creating elegant solutions for values-driven teams. My brain wasn’t adding numbers—it was building bridges.

Arithmetic is for Robots (and Robots Are Cheap)

Here’s where the magic happens:

The stuff that stressed us out in school—the times tables, the endless calculations—that’s arithmetic.

And the good news?

We now have the power to automate nearly all of it.

• Invoices: Automated.
• Project tracking: Automated.
• Reminders and follow-ups: Automated.

When you delegate arithmetic to automation, you free your brain for strategic, creative thinking—the kind of “math” that actually drives results.

How to Shift from Arithmetic to Strategic Math

1. Audit Your Tasks:
   • Look for repetitive calculations, tallying, or data entry.
   • If it feels like “busywork,” it’s probably arithmetic.
2. Automate Relentlessly:
   • Use tools like Zapier, Google Sheets formulas, or workflow automation platforms to handle the grunt work.
3. Refocus on Strategy:
   • Ask bigger questions. What’s the real problem you’re trying to solve? Where do you need creativity, not calculation?
4. Embrace Your Inner Mathematician:
   • Remember: mathematicians are not number crunchers—they’re problem solvers, pattern seekers, and system builders. That’s you.

The Takeaway: You’re Already Doing “Math”
(And You’re Good at It)

If you’ve ever found a shortcut, optimized a workflow, or solved a gnarly problem with creativity, congratulations: You’re a math person.

Arithmetic can be outsourced to robots. But your creative problem-solving—your real “math”—is irreplaceable.

So the next time someone says, “I’m not a math person,” smile and tell them:

“Neither am I. I’m a problem solver.”