Sometimes the Big Block Isn’t the Problem

Lately, I've started downloading games on my phone.

Nothing serious. Just simple games I can play when I want to switch my brain off from work for a while. I actually find them helpful.

When you've been staring at emails, spreadsheets, documents and whatever else needs your attention, sometimes you need something completely unrelated to reset your brain.

Apparently, mine has decided puzzles are relaxing. Until they're not. 😂

One of the games I've been playing is called Blockout. It's a simple puzzle game where you move blocks around until you figure out how to clear the level.

Just before writing this, I was stuck on Level 64. I tried it several times. Same problem.

There was this one big block that I needed to move, and I couldn't get it out.

So naturally, I kept focusing on it.

Move it this way.

Nope.

Try again.

Still stuck.

Restart.

Same thing.

After several attempts, I finally stopped trying to solve that particular block. Instead, I started moving the smaller pieces around it.

One here.

Another there.

Nothing impressive.

And then somehow...

the big block moved.

Level cleared.

I actually laughed because I had spent all that time trying to move the thing that couldn't move yet.

Maybe We Do This in Real Life Too

Sometimes we become so focused on the biggest problem in front of us that we assume that's where all our energy should go.

I need more income.

I need to pay off this loan.

I need to start the business.

I need to buy the property.

I need to figure out my entire future.

Big block.

So we push at it. And push again.

And when nothing moves, we start feeling stuck. But maybe the big block isn't always the first thing that needs to move.

Maybe there are smaller pieces around it that need attention first.

One expense that can be reduced.

One document that needs to be completed.

One small source of income that can be started.

One phone call.

One application.

One skill to learn.

One unfinished task that's been sitting there for months.

None of them feels big enough to change your life.

But moving one small piece can create space for another.

Then another.

Until eventually, something that felt impossible to move suddenly has room.

The Problem Wasn't the Big Block

That's what I found interesting about that silly little game.

The big block wasn't necessarily the problem.

It simply couldn't move from where everything else was positioned.

I was trying to force the final move before creating the space that made the move possible.

And I think I've done that in real life too.

Sometimes I want the big result immediately.

More income.

Another investment.

More freedom.

A finished project.

But perhaps the question isn't always:

“How do I make this big thing happen?”

Sometimes a better question is:

“What can I move from where I am right now?”

It may be something ridiculously small.

But small doesn't necessarily mean unimportant.

Sometimes the smallest piece is the one blocking everything else.

Anyway, that's what Level 64 taught me. 😂

I downloaded the game to stop thinking about work...

and somehow ended up with a life lesson instead.

So much for switching my brain off.