“Approach each new problem not with a view of finding what you hope will be there, but to get the truth, the realities that must be grappled with. You may not like what you find. In that case you are entitled to try to change it. But do not deceive yourself as to what you do find to be the facts of the situation.”

Simplified Meaning:

When you face a new problem, it's important to look at it honestly and understand what's really happening, even if it's not what you were hoping for. Imagine you're a student who didn't do well on a test. Instead of assuming the teacher made a mistake, first check your work and see if you really knew the material. If you find out that you didn’t study enough, accept this reality. It's okay to feel disappointed, but use this truth to motivate yourself and make a plan to study harder next time. For example, if you start a new job and things aren't going as smoothly as you'd like, don't ignore the difficulties or blame others right away. Look closely at what's going wrong, whether it's your skills that need improvement or if there are process issues that need addressing. By facing the facts, you'll be better equipped to make real changes that can improve the situation. Ignoring the truth or only seeing what you wish were there won't help you tackle the problem effectively.