Lessons from a Puzzle

2026 Insights and Reflections

Lessons from a Puzzle

2026 Insights and Reflections

February, 2026

Introduction

As we entered this new year, I always start it off with a few lessons I’ve learned from a puzzle. Yes, an actual puzzle. As those who know me already know, each New Year’s Eve kicks off a new 1000-piece puzzle assembly. This year was no different. Last year the lessons focused on team dynamics which included diversity of thought and how teams adapt to changes in processes, responsibilities, ways of working. [See article Teamwork and Change on LinkedIn]

Different themes stood out this year. The three themes were attitude, focus, and influence.

Definitions

Attitude

the prticular way a person thinks or feels about something or someone (n)

Focus

a center of activity, attraction, or attention (n); a point of concentration (n)

to concentrate attention or effort (v)

Influence

the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command (n)

to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means (v)

Attitude

It started with attitude. Attitude affects the approach taken towards an activity. Attitudes can move us forward or freeze us in place. Attitudes can accelerate us or slow us down.

What were the thoughts and feelings about this puzzle?

The puzzlers’ attitudes were quite different. One felt doomed from the start sharing statements like, “That’s going to be really hard. All the pieces look the same.” This caused a cautious, disengaged approach to starting the puzzle. While the other was optimistic sharing statements like, “It’s going to be a hard one. I’ll need a strategy and process to get it done.” The response was to dive in and implement the strategy. This also led to completing sections of the puzzle rather quickly.

Lesson: This makes me think about how we use attitudes in life. Our attitudes can either help or hinder us.

Are your attitudes helping you or hindering you?
Do your attitudes propel you towards success or do they get in the way?

Focus

Our attitudes determine how we decide to focus our thoughts and energy. Focus, as a noun, is about what we target or pay attention to. Focus, as a verb, looks at how we use our effort and concentration.

When attitudes are negative, you might find that you lose focus or can’t focus on the tasks at hand. The amount of effort is minimal or lacking all together. The outcomes don’t look good since very few pieces are being placed. Not much time was being dedicated to the task. Motivation was depleting. But when attitudes are positive, you dive right in and are even excited about the tasks at hand. You start to see results and are motivated to do more. There was consistent progress.

Lesson: When focus is strong, effort and progress seem to be the reward. There is a sense of accomplishment. But the opposite is true when there is no focus. The lack of progress is sometimes a result of a lack of focus and effort. It can even feel like a punishment.

Influence

Our attitudes determine how we decide to focus our thoughts and energy. Focus, as a noun, is about what we target or pay attention to. Focus, as a verb, looks at how we use our effort and concentration.

When attitudes are negative, you might find that you lose focus or can’t focus on the tasks at hand. The amount of effort is minimal or lacking all together. The outcomes don’t look good since very few pieces are being placed. Not much time was being dedicated to the task. Motivation was depleting. But when attitudes are positive, you dive right in and are even excited about the tasks at hand. You start to see results and are motivated to do more. There was consistent progress.

Lesson: When focus is strong, effort and progress seem to be the reward. There is a sense of accomplishment. But the opposite is true when there is no focus. The lack of progress is sometimes a result of a lack of focus and effort. It can even feel like a punishment.

Another nugget to think about: Motivation

A hidden insights gem that came out while writing this was motivation. Attitude and focus directly influenced outcomes and efforts, which in turn served as a motivator or demotivator. These connections trace back to attitude.

Reflections

As more of the puzzle was completed, there was a great(er) sense of accomplishment. The puzzle was completed in seven days. While slow to start, that reluctant puzzler was able to put the final pieces into place.

Once again, there were some rich lessons from a puzzle for 2026. Life is like this puzzle. It aligns with how we approach life and challenges. Our attitudes towards life can either help or hinder us. Our attitudes influence how we focus and what we focus on. Our attitudes determine how we respond to what’s happening around us. We can choose to let it motivate us or be demotivated.

Definitions of "Attitude," "Focus," and "Influence" were pulled from Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary.