Whenever you get stuck on a hard problem, here’s a tip: Imagine what your boss would say or imagine what some smartass would say. “Well, couldn’t you just…” “Why didn’t you just…” “Did you try…” Think of all those annoying things they could come back with, then try those things whether they seem like good ideas or not.
Another way to put it: don’t let your expertise “save” you from trying things you “know” wouldn’t work.