Often times when we are trying to problem solve we are working so hard we don’t see the solution in front of our face. We are told to think outside the box but sometimes you need to look at the box itself. The container may just have the solution you are seeking.
In 1945 “The Candle Problem” was published. It was created some time before that by psychologist Karl Duncker. The premise of the problem you can see in the picture to the left. Participants were given a book of matches, a small candle, and a box of tacks. They had to find a way with these materials to put the candle on the wall and light it but the candle could not get wax on the surface below it.
Sometimes you just have to think of the box.
The video below is from Dan Pink where he discusses motivation and the candle problem in detail.
