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# Do We Have a Hammer?
- URL: https://andys.blog/hammer/
- Published: 2025-09-28T08:59:29.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-28T08:59:37.000Z
- Author: Andy Trattner

I was editing my essay on [school](https://andys.blog/school/) when [Phu](https://phu-website.web.app/?ref=andys.blog) asked me for help assembling his white board for our home office. He had a plastic connector pushed midway down the joint and couldn't get it to slot in further.

"No we don't have a hammer," I said, peeling from my screen and turning around to face him. I picked up a short metal bar from the floor and banged the plastic in. "Why not just hit it like this?"

We both laughed. He commented, "ahhh... you're smart. That was [high agency](https://www.highagency.com/?ref=andys.blog)." 

It's fun working together. I also respect Phu immensely. He's an incredibly sharp guy, and a much harder worker than me. He recognizes good and learns instantaneously, with zero ego. I wish I could say the same about myself...

But anyone can get stuck. Especially when following given instructions—intently, step by step, heads down. Sometimes we need to look up, and ask a friend for help. 

Or just step back and breathe. Examine your assumptions. Relax a few constraints. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/86/cd86d82c-7ac7-4970-a6aa-07c9f50c77ba/content/images/2025/09/image-6.png)

thinking outside the box; not everything is a nail; there is no spoon