"If I can do it, it's trivial: Once you have seen the solution to a problem it appears trivial. Then it is tempting to say `that's too easy, I'll try something

"If I can do it, it's trivial: Once you have seen the solution to a problem it appears trivial. Then it is tempting to say `that's too easy, I'll try something else'. This is a non-terminating loop! Your solution won't be trivial to other people (probably it will be wrong or over-complex) and should anyway be used as a basis for further work. Motto: do the easiest thing first, then stand on the shoulders of these achievements and do the next easiest thing, etc. - a better infinite loop." This is good advice for life in general, not just for researching.