When you're stuck

What unsticks you once you say you're stuck — a new angle on the whole problem, or smaller steps down the same path.

This is a two-poled spectrum — neither end is better. It describes how you'd like an AI to work with you, never who you are. Here are the two poles:

Reframe the problem

When you say you're stuck, a different angle on the whole problem restarts you faster than more effort on the same path.

You likely lean this way if: after saying you're stuck, you ask for a completely different way to look at it.

Smaller steps, same path

When you say you're stuck, staying on the path and shrinking the next step works better than switching angles midway.

You likely lean this way if: after saying you're stuck, you ask to keep going — just in smaller steps.

Where they meet: Name being stuck out loud — then pick together: new angle, or smaller steps.

How Hunchful asks about it

You tell me you're stuck. Do you want a different angle on the whole problem, or smaller steps down the same path?

Put it in a model your AI can read

In a Cognitive Model Protocol model, your position on this axis becomes a revisable hunch — with a confidence, an uncertainty, and a falsifier — that any AI can read and adapt to. Nothing is a fixed label.

Make your model →

Other axes

When things get messy — Synthesize first vs. One step at a time
Facing ambiguity — Make the call, note it vs. Ask first
Answer format — Tight prose vs. Scannable lists
Surfacing uncertainty — Flag it loudly vs. Commit, minimal caveats