De bono's book on Lateral thinking in first few chapters talks about the nature of mind. That mind is like jelly. The contours or how some drops of water would flow on jelly is a function of both. The prior contouring of the jelly, and also the way the water falls on it. Sometimes, it just flows on the same contours or channels, sometimes new channels are created but they stay to be a function of the old channels.
Sometimes in life, when we are stuck and don't seem to be making headway, let's become conscious of our own Jellies in mind. What has driven those contours and channels in past. Has the weather changed. Are they just relics now, serving no purpose.
-- Yours truly