There's a mixed approach that I've heard described. Assume the solution to the problem is simple enough that it can be found in five minutes. Then spend five m

There's a mixed approach that I've heard described. Assume the solution to the problem is simple enough that it can be found in five minutes. Then spend five minutes trying to find the solution. If you found the solution, congratulate yourself. If you didn't find the solution, do the above procedure for fifteen minutes instead of five. This approach gives direct, "surgical" solutions for simple problems, and leads you to more creative solutions to more complicated problems.