Below is a mechanism that can somewhat reliably solve < 50% of all tough or seemingly intractable problems.

I learned this very simple tool during a CFAR workshop, and like to help proliferate it. It works as follows:

1. GRAB A PEN AND PAPER.

2. WRITE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO YOUR PROBLEM FOR 5 MINS.

3. ENJOY YOUR NOW MORE-LIKELY-THAN-NOT SOLVED PROBLEM.