Start with the Small Pieces

I watched a documentary on the crossword puzzle world called Wordplay from 2006 last week.  It was interesting and full of devotees of the hobby as a wonderful way to relax, stay sharp, feel a sense of victory, and be challenged.  Bill Clinton was one of those interviewed about his love of the crossword.  He talked about how it is a great problem-solving exercise, that you sometimes after looking at many clues before you find something you know, then you start there.  You start with what you know and then through the connecting, crossing letters the rest of the puzzle can come into place.  He said that was a great tool for any problem solving, start with what you know and then look for the connections and build a solution from there when it is all overwhelming.  I talked about this with a lawyer friend of mine who is facing a few files that have no clear solution.  We talked about the idea presented by Clinton.  She reflected that it was a good reminder to not look at the whole case all at once, but instead start with the small pieces that could be resolved. Then from those little ends tied, see what could be done with the rest of the situation to seek a resolution.   I think there is a good reminder for us as we get set for a busy season ahead.  Start with what you know, with what you can accomplish, with what you know the answer to and then let the connections to that fill in the blanks of more of the problem or task.   Seek out the answers you know, fill those boxes, then see what boxes they overlap with and keep on finding answers, soon the solution to the whole grid will be in reach.