PROBLEM VS PUZZLE
“don't solve problems. hack puzzles. watch your frame shift.”
The Lesson
Dumbest reframe that shouldn't work but does. When facing a problem, don't say 'I have a problem.' Say 'Let me see if I can hack this.' Password not working? 'Let me crack into this account.' The word 'puzzle' activates a different part of your brain than 'problem.' Problems feel like burdens; puzzles feel like games. No logical reason this should work, but it completely changes your mental frame. Works on small problems and weirdly on big ones too. Try it.
Real-World Example
A founder's integration keeps failing. Old frame: 'We have a huge problem with the API.' New frame: 'Let's see if we can hack around this.' Same situation, different energy. The team goes from frustrated to curious. They find a creative workaround they never would have discovered while stuck in 'problem' mode. The puzzle frame unlocked playfulness that led to the solution.
Watch Scott explain this lesson
Watch Lesson on Locals →