Let's look into the right mindset for problem solving. Just like with anything else in life, there is a helpful mindset, a healthy mindset, and a damaging mindset that can hold you back.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Research on mindsets from Carol Dweck of Stanford University, a legend in the field, she has conducted research on what's called growth mindsets versus fixed mindsets.

• Growth Mindset: With practice and hard work, I can become much better at problem solving and critical thinking on any subject matter. This mindset encourages hard work because the reward is clear.
• Fixed Mindset: My skills are what they are and they won't change. I may just not be good at this. This mindset is damaging and can hold you back. Many intelligent and brilliant people have this mindset because of early failures or comparisons with others. Many people don't know they really have this mindset until they really think about it.

Acquiring a Growth Mindset

Our job is to acquire the growth mindset. It's simple: just think that with hard work and practice, you can become better at problem solving. It's not a fixed skill.

Additional Helpful Mindsets

1. Gratitude: Change "I have to" to "I get to". This form of gratitude acknowledges that you are lucky to have this job, or go to school. Many people in the world would be so grateful in they were in your position. You are lucky to have the opportunity to learn and work on interesting things. No you don't "have to", you "get to", and thats a form of privilege. Maybe it's not the ultimate thing you want but it is still a good place to be if not ideal.
2. Fun Challenge: See problem solving, not as a torturous task, but as a fun challenge that can intellectually stimulate you, even if the task is not your favorite.
3. Seek Help: Don't solve problems all by yourself. What is the best approach to solving this? On your own? With a team? A brainstorm partner? A coach? Get help from experts, learn from others, and brainstorm with others. This will make problem solving easier and more effective.
4. Persistence: Persistence is key, especially for difficult long-term problems. You don't have to be the smartest person, but you have to stay with the problem the longest and with the most passion. This idea is paraphrased from a quote by Albert Einstein.

Stay with it, stay persistent, and remember that with the right mindset, you can overcome any problem.