By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 22, 2025
Most people come to coaching because they are “stuck.” They have applied the obvious solution to their problem, but it isn’t working, and their frustration is making it hard to move forward. Sound familiar?
Have you stopped to consider that you are stuck because you are paying attention to the wrong things? Let’s face it, if you were paying attention to the right things, then wouldn’t the obvious solution work? After all, it’s obvious, right?
If what I’m saying is true, then all you need to do is pay attention to the right things; right? The question is: What are the right things to pay attention to? After all, if you knew what to pay attention to, you would already be paying attention to it; right?
As an ADHD coach and cognitive engineer, I use insightful thinking tools as a means to help people think insightfully and get unstuck. I define insight, or insightful thinking, as the sudden and immediate comprehension or understanding that takes place without overt trial-and-error testing. It occurs when people recognize relationships or make novel associations between objects or actions that can help them solve new problems. It is the process of making unexpected associations.
Conversely, methodical thinking is the application or the adherence to an arranged set of systematic steps used to solve problems. My insightful thinking tools help you to pay attention to things differently.
Insightful thinking tools are things such as analogies, metaphors, parables, stories, mental models, changes in geography, etc., used to frame things out in such a way so you can view, experience, see, or pay attention to things in a whole new way. These tools help you to ask yourself questions, thereby opening your mind to pay attention to things differently.
The more diversely you pay attention to things differently, the higher the probability you will stumble into an insight, directing your attention to the right things and an obvious solution that works, which in most cases wasn’t so obvious when you started.
Next time you are stuck, consider letting go of what you’re paying attention to and seeking insightful thinking tools to enable you to pay attention to things differently. You just might gain new insight and find YOUR obvious solution!
If you have questions about this concept, please post a comment below or email me at jeff@digcoaching.com. Or sign up for a free 15-minute consultation HERE.
Thanks for your attention—and keep paying attention to how you pay attention. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you care to post a comment.