Another advocate of this approach here. Define some form of time-boxing: 90 minutes, 3 hours, 1 day, 1 week, whatever. When this is up force a capture of current state, knowledge, assumptions and ideas, then walk away and intentionally drop context. When you return it’s a great spot to be self critical and reorientate towards what you’re actually trying to achieve. Think of it like async rubber-ducking.
If you continue to think about the problem space during that ‘off time’ (which you likely will) add the thought to some notes for review when you return.
If you continue to think about the problem space during that ‘off time’ (which you likely will) add the thought to some notes for review when you return.