Universal Problem Solver
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.”
Seneca · Letters, 104
When a problem feels immovable, five focused minutes can reveal more ways forward than seems reasonable. I learned this exercise at a CFAR workshop and have used it ever since. Three movements: name it, pour, harvest.
Everything below happens in your browser and stays there. Your problem never leaves this page.
I Name it
One sentence. What feels immovable?
II Pour
Possible ways in — sensible, silly, expensive, rude, half-magic. Write them all. No judging while pouring: there is deliberately no way to cross anything out yet.
The obvious ideas come first. That’s fine — they clear the way.
III Harvest
Pens down. Read your list slowly, then choose one promising next action — not the best imaginable one, just the next one.