How to Reframe Your “Problems” as “Puzzles” | A.J. Jacobs
Nov 27, 2023
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A.J. Jacobs, a bestselling author and self-proclaimed "human guinea pig," shares his unique insights on approaching life's challenges through a "puzzle mindset." He discusses how viewing problems as puzzles can enhance creativity and persistence, and even help during tough times. Jacobs reveals the joy of problem-solving and the importance of gratitude in personal growth. He also dives into intriguing aspects of the puzzle world, from his own gratitude project to the benefits of maintaining a calm mindset amidst chaos.
Reframing problems as puzzles can bring relief, creativity, clarity, and persistence in various aspects of life.
Engaging with puzzles or adopting puzzle-like thinking can help in problem-solving, breaking mental ruts, and fostering curiosity.
Expressing gratitude and acknowledging simple acts of kindness can have positive effects on personal well-being and relationships.
Deep dives
Reframing Problems as Puzzles
The podcast episode discusses the concept of reframing problems as puzzles. The host shares a personal story about his infertility crisis and how a meditation teacher's comment about 'if it's not one thing, it's another' made him realize the wisdom in seeing life's challenges as never-ending puzzles. The guest, AJ Jacobs, explains his passion for puzzles and the mental health benefits they offer. Reframing problems as puzzles can bring relief, creativity, clarity, and persistence. It can also be applied to various aspects of life, including relationships and personal growth.
Benefits of Developing a Puzzle Mindset
AJ Jacobs discusses the benefits of developing a puzzle mindset, even for individuals who are not into puzzles. He suggests that engaging with puzzles or adopting puzzle-like thinking can help in problem-solving, breaking mental ruts, and fostering curiosity. Jacobs encourages thinking outside the box, trying new strategies, and embracing the fun and solution-oriented nature of puzzles. He also draws parallels between puzzles and mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of noticing details and reframing challenges as puzzle-solving opportunities.
Gratitude and Acts of Kindness
The podcast episode touches on the theme of gratitude and acts of kindness. Jacobs shares his experience during the 'Thanks a Thousand' project, where he thanked individuals involved in his morning cup of coffee. He highlights the positive effects of expressing gratitude and acknowledges the power of simple acts like thanking a barista or acknowledging someone's humanity in daily interactions. The importance of reflecting on hidden masterpieces and appreciating the beauty in everyday life is also discussed.
The Joy of Embracing the Puzzle Journey
The podcast episode explores the concept of puzzles and their significance in life. The guest speaker, A.J. Jacobs, discusses how puzzles are not just about reaching a goal but about enjoying the process itself. He shares his experience with a challenging puzzle called Jacob's Ladder, which requires an incredibly high number of turns to solve. Jacobs finds that despite the seemingly impossible nature of the puzzle, he finds joy in the act of turning the knobs and approaching it in a meditative way. He connects this perspective to a conversation with the godfather of Sudoku, who believes that the key to puzzles, and life in general, is to love the journey of problem-solving as much as the destination.
Unsolved Puzzles and the Dedication of Puzzle Enthusiasts
In the podcast, A.J. Jacobs shares his adventures exploring unsolved puzzles and the devoted community surrounding them. One of these puzzles is a cryptic sculpture on the CIA campus that was created 35 years ago and remains unsolved. Jacobs describes how he witnessed the passion and dedication of individuals who spend years trying to crack the code. Despite the puzzle remaining unsolved, these enthusiasts continue to generate theories and actively engage in finding solutions. He highlights the tenacity and grit of these individuals as they persistently pursue a solution. Jacobs also shares his admiration for the sculptor of the cryptic sculpture, who has turned it into a unique business opportunity by charging individuals for their guesses at solving the puzzle.
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A counterintuitive way to become more clear, creative, and persistent, via a writer who calls himself a “human guinea pig.”
A.J. Jacobs is an author, journalist, podcaster, and human guinea pig. His new podcast “The Puzzler” is produced by iHeart and is in the Top 20 Apple Podcasts. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help. Among his books are “The Year of Living Biblically” and “The Know-It-All.” He has told several Moth stories, has given several TED talks that have amassed over 10 million views. His latest book is “The Puzzler,” which Booklist called “ridiculously entertaining,” and The New York Times called “a romp, both fun and funny.”
In this episode we talk about:
The “puzzle mindset” and how it can change the way you approach your problems
Creating a puzzle that will take billions of years to solve
How puzzles can help us during dark times
The dark side of the puzzling world
How his gratitude project made him better at talking to himself
Learning to appreciate everyday objects and people he sees all the time
How pretending to be a good person helped him actually learn to be one – most of the time
