Life Lessons from Making Puzzles?


Puzzle

Dear Real Academics,

Dr. Garza and I are currently in Texas, and it has been a very hot summer. It's always very hot in Texas in the summer, but our adjusting from extremely low humidity in the Nevada desert to some-high humidity has made it a bit...challenging. I am grateful we are, at least, not in Florida extreme humidity just yet. We are acclimating slowly to more and more humidity.

Needless to say, Dr. Garza and I have spent much of our "recreational" time indoors, which includes making puzzles. Here, I want to give a quick shout out to Robert Dowdle and the beautiful puzzles he has created that also educate. If you've never heard of these puzzles, check them out here (Note: Costco sells them during the winter holiday season): https://dowdlefolkart.com/ (The picture in this post is a Dowdle puzzle we recently completed of Stockholm, Sweden).

With that said, I've been reflecting on life lessons from making puzzles.
Ok...well, maybe these are smaller than life lessons, but they are part of life, nonetheless.
Let's call them project lessons, including writing project lessons. 

(1) First, if and when stuck on a project, try walking away and coming back to it after a little while. I promise, you'll see the project in a new way and the pieces will literally start falling into place.

(2) Second, if and when frustrated within a certain section of your project, put that section aside and go work on a different, preferably less challenging, section. I find this strategy especially helpful for being and feeling successful in another area. Being successful in a smaller area boosts my motivation to tackle the more challenging area later.

(3) Third, work with and/or learn from others. Depending on the project, it is helpful to divide and conquer. It is also helpful to learn strategies about how others figure out and complete sections of the project. Never underestimate how a very small strategy or tool can help accomplish your project with less difficulty. For example, I did not know puzzle-piece trays and special puzzle mats existed -- yes, I'm that much of a rookie when it comes to puzzle making. But, it's the same with writing. When I work with others who engage in the craft of writing, I learn about strategies, tools, and ideas that help make my writing more efficient, productive, and successful (need I mention less stressful, too?)

What about you, dear Real Academics? Might you have some of your own ideas for working through challenging, difficult, and/or large projects, be they a writing project or other? If so, please comment on this blog and/or drop us an email at inforealacademics@gmail.com. We love to hear from you!

Last, if you are stuck on a project and need ideas for getting unstuck and/or motivated, please reach out! Our vision is to help individuals be joyful, productive, and and successful in their academic, learning, and life pursuits. 

Thanks for reading!

Until next time, happy writing, productivity, and truth-seeking,

Maggie

www.therealacademics.com





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