I have been working on my fair share of problems that may or may not have solutions. Two pieces of advice that helped me:
1. Choose your battles. There are important problems out there, but our time is limited. If it is important and in my domain, I will pick it up.
2. Is it developmental? Depends on what stage you are in, but a couple of years ago I picked up lots of problems without solutions. It was a risky move, I wasted a ton of time, and the payoff wasn't obvious --- I definitely did some short-term damage. I am reaping some benefits now because of the skills I developed.
1. Choose your battles. There are important problems out there, but our time is limited. If it is important and in my domain, I will pick it up. 2. Is it developmental? Depends on what stage you are in, but a couple of years ago I picked up lots of problems without solutions. It was a risky move, I wasted a ton of time, and the payoff wasn't obvious --- I definitely did some short-term damage. I am reaping some benefits now because of the skills I developed.