Some people love puzzles. It doesn’t matter what type; the appeal is that they can be complex. Maybe even frustrating, but they are solvable with enough time and perspective. And once solved, there is a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. What if we treated life’s bigger problems the same way?
It’s easy to look at the world, or our own lives, and see an overwhelming list of problems. Work stress, health issues, family dynamics, and financial pressure. Scale that up, and we’re talking about politics, climate change, public health, the economy, and a myriad of other things that make the news feel crushing and problems insurmountable. If we frame these challenges as a crisis, they feel urgent but heavy and out of our control. Framed that way, the natural response is to either panic or shut down and ignore the problems.
I believe there’s another way to approach it, one that invites more agency and creativity. What if, instead of thinking “this is a disaster,” we asked, “what’s the puzzle here?” There is, after all, a solution to nearly all problems. 😊
A puzzle, by nature, is meant to be worked through. You might not have all the pieces or have found the pattern yet, but it’s there. You just must start fitting the pieces together, and eventually, the patterns will form. A puzzle invites curiosity and experimentation. It gives the space to try something, see if it works, and adjust if it doesn’t. You’re not failing, you’re figuring it out through elimination and engagement.
Why not approach all our problems, regardless of size or how personal they may be, as a puzzle? This mindset shift to the idea that challenges are meant to be engaged with instead of feared can be incredibly empowering. It changes the energy. Instead of dread, you bring intention. Instead of helplessness, you bring perspective.
Einstein was known for approaching problems this way. He didn’t just tackle equations; he tackled ideas that had stumped people for centuries and treated them like puzzles instead of dead ends. That curiosity, patience, and confidence that a solution was possible is what made all the difference and eventually led to his discoveries. Discoveries that continue to be relevant contributors to our current world. He framed the problem differently, and that made all the difference.
We don’t have to be physicists to adopt the same mindset. Next time something feels impossible or too heavy to carry, pause for a moment and ask yourself: What’s the puzzle here? What patterns might I be missing? What’s one corner I can start with? It won’t make the problem disappear, but it might give you just enough clarity to take that next step forward and move towards solutions.
And maybe, with enough steps, the bigger picture and pattern will come into view.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”— Albert Einstein
What puzzle are you currently working through, big or small? I’d love to hear how you’re approaching it. Share your story or pass this along to someone who might need a fresh perspective today.
Have a great weekend.
Vijay