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How to Reframe Your “Problems” as “Puzzles” | A.J. Jacobs

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Nov 27, 2023

Guest

A. J. Jacobs

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.

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Crossword Clue

A.J. Jacobs was the answer to a New York Times crossword, which he considered a high point.
His brother-in-law pointed out it was the Saturday puzzle (the hardest), implying obscurity.

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INSIGHT

Problems vs. Puzzles

Reframing "problems" as "puzzles" promotes solutions and reduces stress.
This mindset shift makes challenges feel more manageable and even fun.

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ADVICE

Solving Disagreements

Approach disagreements as puzzles to solve collaboratively.
Instead of arguing, explore each other's beliefs with curiosity.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Unraveling the Joy of Puzzles in Life

05:03 • 4min

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Embracing the Puzzle Mindset

09:20 • 18min

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Reframing Challenges as Puzzles

27:35 • 7min

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Puzzles, Perception, and Problem-Solving

34:54 • 13min

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Transforming Problems into Personal Growth

47:48 • 2min

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Calming the Mindset in High-Stakes Situations

49:42 • 5min

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The Power of Gratitude and Connection

54:47 • 22min

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Exploring Sleep Rituals and the Power of Gratitude

01:17:02 • 2min

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Embracing Reminders and New Ventures in Personal Growth

01:19:04 • 3min

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The Year of Living Constitutionally

One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning

A. J. Jacobs

In 'The Year of Living Constitutionally', A.J. Jacobs embarks on a year-long journey to understand the U.S. Constitution by living as closely as possible to its original meaning. He engages in various adventures such as carrying an 18th-century musket, asserting his right to free speech with handwritten pamphlets, and participating in Revolutionary War reenactments. The book delves into the debates between originalism and living constitutionalism, offering insights into the Constitution's impact on modern American life and the ongoing debates about its interpretation. Jacobs' experiences highlight the benefits and challenges of adhering to 18th-century laws in the 21st century, providing a fresh and entertaining perspective on the Constitution's role in American democracy.

Drop Dead Healthy

One Man’s Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection

A.J. Jacobs

In 'Drop Dead Healthy', A.J. Jacobs chronicles his epic endeavor to transform his body and become the healthiest person alive. After being hospitalized with tropical pneumonia and feeling ashamed of his middle-aged physique, Jacobs consulted a wide array of experts, including sleep consultants, sex clinicians, nutritionists, and dermatologists. He subjected himself to numerous workouts, such as Strollercize and Finger Fitness, and experimented with various diets, including raw foods, veganism, and extreme chewing. The book is a blend of memoir, adventure, and how-to manual, offering entertaining and scientifically sound advice on health and wellness. Jacobs' journey is marked by both humorous anecdotes and profound reflections on the pursuit of health and a well-lived life.

Thanks a Thousand

A Gratitude Journey

A.J. Jacobs

In 'Thanks a Thousand', A.J. Jacobs embarks on a global journey to thank every person involved in producing his morning cup of coffee. This deceptively simple idea transforms his life and highlights the benefits of gratitude, which include improving compassion, healing the body, and battling depression. Jacobs meets a diverse range of people, from Minnesota miners to Colombian farmers, and provides insights on how to focus on the positive aspects of daily life and practice gratitude effectively.

The Year of Living Biblically

One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

A.J. Jacobs

In this book, A.J. Jacobs embarks on a year-long experiment to live according to the Bible's rules as literally as possible. Raised in a secular Jewish family, Jacobs delves into the world of religion to understand its relevance in modern life. He follows over 700 biblical rules, from the well-known Ten Commandments to the lesser-known laws such as avoiding clothes made of mixed fibers and stoning adulterers. The book is a humorous and profound account of his journey, where he interacts with various religious groups, including Amish, Hassidic Jews, and evangelical Christians. Jacobs' experiment leads to surprising insights and personal growth, challenging his initial skepticism about religion and highlighting the complexities of biblical literalism.

The Puzzler

AJ Jacobs

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.

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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

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