How often do you use these Vulcan tips for ideas?
Never:  Never use it: 
Try:  Might try it.
Use:  Use it as needed
Tell: Tell it to people who could use it

Are there other problems like this?  Do they have solutions?

You are negotiating with reality.  What is the best deal you can get?

What are your main assumptions?    Do you believe them?

Do you want to think outside the box?  Have you found the box?

How would you have dealt with this situation in the past?

How will you recognize a solution when you find it?

When did you start wanting to solve this problem?

Is this a subgoal?  Is there another way to reach the main goal?

Could you solve part of the problem?  Would that help?

Do you have a taxonomy of possible solutions?

Another name for focus is tunnel vision.

Every problem is an opportunity being mismanaged.

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.

The road to the answer that works is paved with answers that don't work.

Only Vulcans seek the superset.

Luck:  When preparation and opportunity meet