When the solution is elusive, go back to the problem

Yesterday I wrote about a simple brain hack for tough problems:

When the solution is elusive, take a step back and make sure you understand the problem by writing it down.

So why does this work?

I'm not a specialist in human brain function. I can't tell you exactly what mechanism inside your skull is blocking or promoting success in these situations.

But I think it's mostly a "mirage" effect:

Sometimes it just "feels" like the solution is just out of reach. And if we're walking toward that distant shadow, surely we'll get there eventually.

This is all rolled up in your brain's incredible capacity for distraction, misdirection, wishful thinking, and a tendency to expect that you'll get it right the first time.

After all, life is as easy as it is only because we normally deal with problems that are pretty familiar to us. So we usually do get it right the first time.

But when we don't — when the first time or even the fifth time doesn't produce something useful — it's time to change tactics.

Next time you feel a dull pain from banging your head against a problem repeatedly, take a step back and re-examine the real problem.

You probably won't break through that brick wall with one more whack of your forehead. But maybe there's a door that you just haven't seen yet.

All the best,
A.