I used a process from work this week to help me get "unstuck" this weekend in the shop when I encountered a couple problems. Invariably when I encounter problems I lose a lot of time trying to figure out what to do next, perhaps I even get frustrated and halt work for a period of time and it causes me to not work efficiently here is what I did.
I make a chart with the criteria to evaluate the solutions listed in the furthest left column, and the possible solutions across the top row.
In my shop notebook on the left hand margin I started writing down a vertical column all of the criteria I needed to consider when developing a solution to fix the problem. Some criteria is project specific other criteria is general, by way of example criteria listed vertically may include: 1) cost; 2) time; 3) aesthetic appearance; 4) structural integrity; etc.
At the top of my page horizontally across the top I write possible solutions to the problem, again by way of example it may generally include: 1) buy new tool to fix the issue; 2) re-make the part; etc.
This gives me a chart to begin comparing options and the things I should consider when comparing the options. The process helps bring some organization to my thought process and more quickly determine a solution when I get "stuck" so that I can get back to work and keep building.
I don't know of this will help anyone else, but thought I would share in case it will help someone else become more efficient in the shop.