Can't solve a problem? Then quit.
February 15, 2007
Now, before you jump all over me and call me a quitter, I'm not saying that you should just give up on the problem. I'm saying that you need to take a break.
Go for a walk, or go make some coffee, or watch a movie–anything that separates you from the problem at hand.
I read a book called "The Memory Cure" that talked about modern medicine's understanding of the brain and how it works. It turns out that just because you stop thinking about a problem with your conscious mind doesn't mean that your subconscious won't continue to work on the problem in the background.
Have you ever tried really hard to remember something, and it was "right on the tip of your tongue", but it just wouldn't come to you? And then, an hour later (or even the next day), when you had completely forgotten about what was puzzling you–BAM!–it jumps into the front of your mind?
We call that an "epiphany", right? The solution didn't just "come to you", not really. What really happened was that your subconscious mind kept working on the problem even when you stopped consciously worrying about it. But as long as your conscious mind is focused on the problem, your subconscious figures it's not needed and stays out of the picture.
That's not always good, since your subconscious has access to vast stores of your memory that you don't conscious pull from. Your dreams often show all kinds of images of things you've long forgotten–that's because your subconscious has access to all of that, while your conscious mind does not.
So if you can just let go of your problem consciously for a while, your subconscious will start to do its job and will quite likely solve the problem for you.
My $7 Secrets method came to me while I was in the shower. A method for fixing a security hole in the $7 Secrets scripts came to me while I was feeding my dogs. Both were actions completely unrelated to the problem at hand.
Your brain is a wondrous thing. To compare it to a computer is an insult to your brain. No computer comes even remotely close to the abilities that your brain has. So the next time you have a problem, let your brain do its job! Go focus on something else for a while. When you come back to the problem you will likely have better insight into how to solve it.
Comments
30 Responses to “Can't solve a problem? Then quit.”
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Jonathan Leger has been earning his living online full-time since the fall of 2004. He regularly posts advice about search engine optimization (his current passion), AdSense and Internet Marketing. 
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Ok, I quit, I will go to sleep now. That is enough work for one day. Your 7dollar scripts have me thinking too. Great stuff!
Roger
P.S. Jonathan, please send me an email after you read this.
That's so true, it's something I learnt from playing the guitar or cello. All my teachers would say practise practise practise til you get it right. But that would only frustrate me. Instead, stop hammering away at a tune and walk the dog instead.
…when you come back to the instrument you'll probably play it right first time!
And that applies to working on the web too I think. Time spent away from the problem is as important as time spent on it.
Jon,
If I have a problem which is driving me nuts, the last thing I do before I go to bed, I write down the problem and then go to sleep. In the morning after my first cuppa, I look at the question I jotted down and somehow I come up with the solution.
It always works. But it's important to give it no more thought after you write it down.
Yes I agree your concept is a good one. But it does have one big inherent danger. That is that you put the problm down and don't come back to it and forget about it. This just adds to the list of started and unfinished internet projects. By all means do this, but give yourself a written note with a time when you will come back to it and finish it- a todo list noted in a diary is ideal.
Don't let it stop your focus. Wherever possible do one job and complete it before moving onto the next one.
I take a walk and listen my holosync.After 30 minutes and little thinking I will come up with something.
Your totally correct Jonathan, any time I'm having a difficult time solving a problem and I find I'm getting frustrated I walk away for a few hours or a day.
Once I "quit" for awhile and come back to the problem fresh I find I can usually solve it. Good advice!
Jon: I always enjoy your marketing strategies to stay on top. I am impressed with your consistant enthusiasm to keep your communications on a high level.
To add to your thinking, I always sleep on a problem and let my brain relax completely. I would like to do this being awake, but for me; my mind comes up with a much better "thought out" solution the following morning. It is always a solution I can live with.
Recently, like this week I had two contracted projects to choose from. I wanted to please everyone and give both my choices 110%. I saw through a few days, that both were going to collide regarding time.
I slept on it for two nights and at 5:00 a.m. today I had the same answer I had the night before. Which was to graciously bow out of the one I least likely wanted to be involved with.
Now for some, it's a monetary choice. For me however, it was a choice of reputation for excellence. The standard of excellence is paramount for me. It is the long-term "feel good" monetary choice for me in morallity and ethics.
The end result was my "part-time" project I chose to throw all my time in(almost), just became a full-time position if I want it.
Sure, its great! I am now involved directly with the owner of one of the most respected Internet marketing software companies.
I can only add here Jon, that with a good nights rest and an early rise, really can make a man healthy(in mind), wealthy, and wise(better decisions).
As always Jon, I have you on my "A" List of people I most want to do be associated with. I enjoy your products and your approach.
Please keep up the good work my friend!
Sincerely, Robert Lang
Thanks for the great comments guys.
Robert:
Putting excellence ahead of income will always pay off in the end. Making a fast buck short term will never pay off as well as doing great work in the long term.
You really nailed it!
After I bought the $7 secrets - almost two weeks ago, I have puzzled about how to take advantage of the idea myself.
Then, bang - it all fell into place while I was at basketball game.
I came home and created the sales page, the table of contents etc. with a clear idea of where this is going.
The unconscious mind is a terrible thing to waste so I'm taking the next few days off!
Wayne
Hiya Jon,
This was right on time, a little scary, because I'm
trying to implement your brilliant script, with the
launch of a new product, and another OTO script,
and it's just a bit over my abilities.
I was just sitting here, pondering the solution to my
goals, and your email, came dancing across my desk.
I'm really grateful for your 7 dollar script, Jon, and your
insights into psychology, it really gave me a boost today,
when I was feeling a little bit lost.
So, thanks, Jon, for everything you do.
You are a big inspiration to me.
Best Wishes,
Jeff Davis
I absolutely agree with what you say. When I am stuck with how to phrase the words or organise the layout for my articles I give it a break and go play and sing with the babies in my center and nine times out of ten the ideas will start flowing.
Cecilia Koh
Whoa, talk about a coincidence… just a few minutes ago I posted a message to my blog that quotes Henry Miller and says, "Until we lose ourselves, there is no hope of finding ourselves". My blog is about the NW Montana, Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake specifically and in this post, I was talking about the same thing as you…
Thanks so much Jeff. I live for comments like that.
Nice article Jon. I like it bc it isnt about making more money, but just a personal thought. My epiphanies usually come when I am driving or travelling by train. When my mind comes at ease thats when its hits me. So I think you are absolutely right here!
I am using a more rigid method to calm my mind down through meditation, however this can be down in a myriad of ways. "Letting Go" is the key phrase here…
Take Care.
Hi Jonathan,
That is a very thought provoking subject.
It is very easy to quit, and be a quitter.
Just throw up the hands, and walk away!
I hope this is not too long, but I have a lot to say.
First,…you are right!…the mind is a very powerful thing,…probably more powerful than we know.
I will use my self, and experiences to once again state some points.
As I said in a previous poast,…I am blind.
I am also an accomplished saxophonist, with over 40 years of experience.
My life, and lifestyle has always been based around that fact.
After doing international touring, and coming to realizing that I love my wife a hell of a lot more than I do all of that traveling, and performing.
I did the very thing you spoke about,…I Quit!
Yep,…I dropped the whole so called cream of the crop music scene and Quit!
My wife and I have been married for over 17 years, and she has stuck with me all of that time,…not even so much as making a little wave.
So,…here is the problem.
Now what do I do?
There is much more to life than glitter, and glammer.
A man needs to make a living too.
Well, as you said, the sub concious mind is a very powerful thing.
It has allowed me to solve that problem, and a whole hoast of other problems that seemed unsolvable.
I now run a home recording studio,…and have become very interested in internet marketing.
I have written enough songs to put 4 CD's out, and I have 3 more on my computer.
I like the fact that I am now doing what my wife wants to do.
It gives me joy to feel her joy over our present situation.
I share some of my music, and You can see all the things that the subconcious mind has allowed me to do on my website.
The above project came in a dream including the name ShowTheWorldYour URL! Sleep on it, it works wonders!
Hi Jon,
When a person is stressed, our mind usually is being block up. It is when our mind is relax, that is the most effective.
John Tan
Hi Jonathan,
Edison, the famous inventor, was a great proponant of what you describe. His "Cat Naps" provided the inspiration for his many discoverys and interventions.
Regards,
Jim
Jonathan,
You are so on the money. I once read that we use only five percent of our brain. That's not true. Five percent of our brain is the conscious; 95 percent is unconscious. We use all of our brains. We just need to learn to use it well.
I just finished reading your $7 Secret. All I can say is that it is excellent. I will be definitely using this in my business. I've never believed that something had to be expensive to be good, and you proved it.
I believe now by tweaking my strategies on my pricing, I will make a whole lot more money because of you, and you gave me more ideas than I can handle! I'll be on overload.
Guess it's time to go for a walk and take a break. My sincerest best to you. Can't wait to see what you do next. I also own Article Wizard. Excellent.
Sincerely,
Jinger Jarrett
Hi readers & posters … yes me to … I like nothing better than walking my dogs and a thinking in a bigger space all my projects through for me that's where its all put together in the mind eye … like one of many geniuses Dennis Bartram says … it all started with subconscious thoughts
[quote]The human has multiple intelligences that include linguistic, musical, logical mathematical, spatial, kinaesthetic and personal. Utilising these intelligences allows a person to function on a multi level awareness of problem solving or discovery.
The creative brain is described by Thomas G. West, (In the Minds Eye p 27,) as linking an image to visual imagination. This is a non-verbal process and incorporates primarily visual and spatial elements as a manifestation of a single mode of thought. It also includes pattern recognition and creative problem solving.
.[/quote]
I personally don't smoke but how many people have you seen taking smoke breaks and then watching them go into a trance like state as they enjoy that special moment as they ponder over that break of state … I get that similar feeling walking my dogs … best to call it "working in the space" Yes Jonathan well observed and you certainly get Excellent thoughts … thank you very very much for seoexplosion.com/… to name one of many tools you share with your readers and believers…
All my best to you and yours
Phillip Skinner
If ever I lose something, after a while I stop looking and ask my brain to find it. I get on with what I was doing and sure enough I recover what is lost! The same applies to problems, I take a break and then an answer presents itself. Hope it works for others.
Denise
The same goes to say for having / creating what you need as tools. I have had ideas, but not the solution to making them work completely. For days I'd think about how I could make it work. Then in an unrelated experience, or surfing the web for something else, I stumble upon the tool I need to make the first park work. What is by accident? I dont think so. Just like our brain can solve a problem for us, it can also help us in the right direction to find what we need. Much like what is talked about in "the Secret"
The subconscious mind never sleeps. If you are an inquisitive person, persistent in your purpose, the search for an answer continues - whether or not you are conscious of the activity.
I find that answers simply pop up almost any time and any place - even at 3 AM, awakened from a deep sleep.
I keep a small voice activated tape recorder close at hand. When the tiny flashes of brilliance do indeed find me, I record them.
I often slip the recorder into my shirt pocket and keep track of these gems while walking or being involved in other activities while away from my work station.
I am 71, retired, and takes lots of breaks, so use the little machine a lot. The system has worked well for over 10 years. Same recorder and same dozen or so tiny tapes that were part of the original purchase.
Whatever your system. Don't ever quit. Re-start, regroup, rethink, make notes and be prepared to be surprised. Tunnel vision can't hold a candle to a good examination of the situation from all angles and perspectives.
Some of the world's most valuable discoveries, like insulin, were made by accident.
I'm a firm believer in this method of getting things done. Funny thing is Discover magazine did an article on this very thing a few months back.
Turns out if you set your brain to a given task and then STOP THINKING about it, your brain will continue to process the task until it comes back with an answer.
Funnier still, I tried it out - with an unlikely thing. I'd watched a movie where I loved the theme song (HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy of all things). Couldn't remember the tune or words (my family was grateful). Put it to my brain to remember. Three days later, just as I got out of bed that morning, WHAM! All the tune and words came flooding back (my family was not happy LOL!).
Anyway, it works.
I also recommend to my clients they do the same thing to develop a niche market. Often when we are asked what are we interested in, the mind goes blank. Set your brain to the task, then leave it alone, and see what comes back
All the best,
Theresa
I've always believed that there comes a point when worrying away at a problem or something you can't remember is counter-productive. It's best to leave it alone and wait for your brain to go through all its files and bring up an answer. It has usually worked for me and I was interested to see how many other people find the same thing to be true. Enjoyed your piece very much, especially as I had just given myself a day away from my computer just to wind down. Thanks.
This is absolutely true!
I work in creative circles for 27 years already: design, literature, art and theatre. And each time when I don't know how to solve problems or how to make clear exactly what I want to say or show, I spend hours even days, weeks to get the right formula, often without success.
When I have released the 'problem' because I was not able to solve it in a satisfying way with my conscious mind and my experience, suddenly in my sleep I solve everything, and get THE solution how to say, show, write or do exactly what I want to say, show, write or do.
And till now, it's in basic always a good solution!
This delivered a lot of real good quality and products already.
I use it as a stretegy nowadays, and it's a strength. It makes me much more creative and productive.
When I don't know anymore how to say, show, create, do, write or solve something, I just leave it and go to sleep.
Most of the time the next day I have new ideas that give me the solution to do it exactly I intended to do, show or write it.
I suppose my conscious mind 'ordered' my unconscious mind to find a solution.
Thank God for the brains!
Conscious and unconscious. It's great.
Your article is so true about the mind and how it works. I have known this secret for years.
Currently I'm going through a training program for an international reservation call center. My position is considered a 'top gun' position among all other agents. We are the one who take all kinds of calls. The class typically only has a graduate ratio of ONLY one in seven students over five weeks. So far in week 1 we have lost 8 students already and we still have tommorrow. You have to maintain a 90-100 percent weekly average based on your daily quiz of 20 questions and a final exam at the end of each week. That's after 30 pages of reading material for homework after a nine hour day class and 110 mile daily commute.
Many candidates are freaked out by the strict guidelines but it's because we are hired for our free-thinking talents, multitasking ability and one call resolution skills. I personally will make the odds in my favor in four more weeks.
I know how to exercise my brain's memory by eating the right diet so that the blood stays in my brain and not down in my gut doesn't have to digest a big heap of breads like pizza. I also have taken ginko biloba supplements for the past 4 years. I do cram some nights and then others I just collapse in bed after work. The results are fantastic. I hold a 91% average for my first week. And I'm one of the older people in my class.
The brain really does work it out. Even if it has time to rest. Learning about Internet marketing constantly keeps your brain churning and processing away constantly. The mind is a muscle and you need to to work it out every day to keep it sharp.
Thanks for the articles message of encouragement.
Cheers,
Michael
That's the power of the subconscious mind!
Anyway Jon, I really liked your idea of $7 Secrets, and now $7Offers looks excellent too.
Great job Jon.
Jonathan,
So Hey, what is this about your "revelation" on the subconscious mind, and all of it's quirky idiosyncrasy's?
I've been using the "Just try to put it out of your mind" technique to remember things that escaped immediate recollection for over 40 years!
And I'm quire sure that others before I had the same results and experience by simply trying to forget what you'd been so desperately trying to remember,.
Your end result inevitable being your moment of "epiphany", as ol' Subby C would just naturally toss the desired bit of information right out in the midst of whatever you might have been doing instead!
As if to say, "Look! See, you do need me! Why don't you let me have more to say about what we're doing all the time?
And the truth be known, Ol' Subby C is influencing us far more than most of us realize, anyway…
But I believe that his grandest moments are when he's reaching into the archives of our memory banks and just tossing things as quickly as he can dig them up out onto the screen of our minds whilst we're sleeping . Whether they're related to each other or not, apparently not withstanding.
Since, quite often "bizarre" is the only appropriate term for the substance of some of these nocturnal "home videos" that play in our minds while sleeping..
Don't even bother trying to make sense of them.
They weren't meant to be undertood by our conscious mind.
By the same token, …
…Just try to forget what you can't seem to remember!
He'll toss it right out there, …
…Just because he can!
And often at the least likely moment!
Hopefully, one is skilled at controlling their tongue and avoiding loud outbursts in exclamation of the newly "remembered" knowledge…
Ciao!
Michael
It's good to be in the company of an interesting community who are directing their energies in a similar way and coming up with such insights. Where does inspiration come from I wonder. I always have.
Possibilities on the internet continue to inspire me even under the onslaught of such great quantities of tiny details.
Never give up. Garth