Growth Factorials

The other day, I was reading How to Solve It by George Polya, a classic book on mathematical problem-solving strategies. I was stuck on a particular problem. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move ahead. After struggling for a while, I put the book down and decided to take a break. The next day, I went to the same problem. To my surprise, I was able to solve the problem without any difficulty. The solution that had eluded me the day before despite working very hard was now staring me right in the face!

I have experienced this more times than I can count: I am intensely focused on a tough problem, perhaps a complex work task. I keep pushing, re-analyising and reworking, but the problem won’t budge. Frustration builds and it feels like you have hit an invisible wall. Then you decide to take a break (for a few minutes, a few hours or a few days). And then, out of the blue, the solution appears in your mind. A break is often all it takes for things to fall into place. But why does this happen? What is it about stepping away that helps our brain see the solution more clearly?

The Science Behind “Light Bulb” Moments

It turns out there’s some serious science behind these breakthroughs. Researchers call it the “incubation effect”—the phenomenon where taking a break allows the subconscious mind to continue working on a problem, even when you’re not actively thinking about it. This principle is backed by research from Sio and Ormerod (2009), who found that taking breaks improves problem-solving, especially for complex tasks that require a fresh perspective.

In their study, they reviewed multiple experiments and discovered a pattern: people who took breaks or stepped away from a problem were significantly more likely to experience those “aha” moments when they returned. The brain’s ability to process information subconsciously during these breaks is what often leads to solutions suddenly falling into place.

So, what actually happens in the brain during these breaks? When we take a break from the problem. our prefrontal cortex—responsible for logical thinking and focus—relaxes. This allows other neural networks, like the default mode network (DMN), to take over. The DMN is activated when our minds wander, processing complex problems in the background, linking seemingly unrelated pieces of information, and finding patterns we weren’t consciously aware of. It’s like giving your mind permission to step out of the box and explore creative solutions that your focused, conscious mind couldn’t see.

Applying the Principle: A Framework for Continuous Learning and Problem-Solving

Here’s how you can harness the power of breaks and self-reflection to overcome obstacles in learning and work. Use this simple five-step framework to make breakthroughs a regular part of your routine:

1. Start with Focused Effort (20-40 minutes) Dedicate a block of time to concentrate solely on the problem or topic at hand. Dive deep, try to understand every angle, and push yourself to explore different approaches. Studies show that our optimal focus time is around 20-40 minutes, after which our concentration dips (Baumeister & Tierney, 2011).
2. Recognize the Signs of Being Stuck If you are feeling fatigued or frustrated, don’t push through unnecessarily. These are signals that your brain has reached its processing limit. Instead of pushing through, recognize this as a cue to take a step back.
3. Take a Wandering Break (15-30 minutes or longer) Walk away from the task. Do something completely unrelated—exercise, take a walk, or engage in a hobby. Baird and Schooler (2011) found that people who let their minds wander during breaks experienced a boost in creative problem-solving when they returned to the task.
4. Return with a Fresh Mindset When you come back to the problem, look at it as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Often, the solution will now be easier to find because your brain has made connections you weren’t consciously aware of.
5. Reflect on the Experience Ask yourself: What was different after the break? Did I see something I missed before? By reflecting, you train your mind to understand the power of the new strategy you used for finding the solution, making it easier to employ it in future challenges.

Embrace Breaks as Part of Your Learning Routine

When you’re hard at work and hit a mental block, use breaks strategically as tools to help you solve problems. Stepping back is not giving up; it’s allowing your brain to find creative solutions to the problems you are working on. By strategically using the above-given framework, you will be able to solve problems and build a powerful habit of continuous learning and self-reflection.

So, the next time you find yourself stuck, do what I did—take a break, let your subconscious do its job, and come back to see that light bulb moment for yourself.

References:

1. Sio, U. N., & Ormerod, T. C. (2009). Does incubation enhance problem-solving? A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 135(1), 94.
2. Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. Penguin Books.
3. Baird, B., Smallwood, J., & Schooler, J. W. (2011). Back to the future: Autobiographical planning and the functionality of mind-wandering. Consciousness and Cognition, 20(4), 1604-1611.