Next time you're banging your head against a hard problem that you can't seem to crack, try this:
1. Gather enough context. Make sure you fully understand the shape of the problem.
2. Walk away and stop thinking about the problem.
At some point soon, you're likely to have an epiphany about the problem. For me, these often come during a shower, while watching a movie, or in a dream. Weird, I know.
The key is to switch from direct problem solving, e.g. actively reasoning or thinking about the problem, to indirect problem solving, which hands the process off to our subconscious brain.
For me, this works so much better than staring at a screen trying to actively figure out a solution when I'm stumped.
Remember, productivity isn't all about hammering your face against tasks until they're all done. Sometimes it's about slowing down and respecting your brain & body's process. Let the problems work themselves out. You'll probably come up with better solutions and be much happier for it.
1. Gather enough context. Make sure you fully understand the shape of the problem.
2. Walk away and stop thinking about the problem.
At some point soon, you're likely to have an epiphany about the problem. For me, these often come during a shower, while watching a movie, or in a dream. Weird, I know.
The key is to switch from direct problem solving, e.g. actively reasoning or thinking about the problem, to indirect problem solving, which hands the process off to our subconscious brain.
For me, this works so much better than staring at a screen trying to actively figure out a solution when I'm stumped.
Remember, productivity isn't all about hammering your face against tasks until they're all done. Sometimes it's about slowing down and respecting your brain & body's process. Let the problems work themselves out. You'll probably come up with better solutions and be much happier for it.