We all know what it's like when we come up on a challenge that – no matter how hard we try we just can't seem to "get it". Hours – days – go by and we become ever more frustrated because that challenge continues to haunt us.
We give it our best shot and no matter what we do the pesky challenge just seems to taunt us: "Nah, nah, nah, I've got you stumped and you're stupid."
Indeed the more we try the more confused and frustrated we become, until we throw up our hands and walk away, convinced that we, indeed, are stupid.
Stop!
There are three obvious solutions to this kind of situation.
1. Walk away. Not permanently, just for a couple days to allow that marvelous subconscious we all are gived with do it's work. Of course, this doesn' t work too well when you're working under a deadline of some kind. But, frequently, when we allow time, a solution will pop up, almost miraculously. If it doesn't, then at least, we can approach the challenge with fresh eyes.
2. Head for the nearest library or online help manual. Do some research and read up on the problem that has you stumped. This works really well if you are the kind of person who is comfortable with research.
3. Ask for help. The smartest people I know all have friends, cohorts and gurus that they call from time to time to ask for help. There's no shame in that. When we can pick up the phone or drop in on a friend and ask for a helping hand to work through a problem, it seems so easy (doesn't it?)…and it. saves countless hours of wasted time beating ourselves up. Forget being afraid of looking stupid, people are always happy to help. Besides, those same people probably go to others when they get stuck, too.
My grandfather used to say, "The smartest people in the world aren't the ones who have all the answers. They're the ones who know where to go to find the answers."