The Narcissism Puzzle: Counting Squares and Self-Reflection

Counting Squares as a Recipe for Self-Reflection

Think of this puzzle like a recipe:

Ingredients

• One simple grid
• A confident mind
• A willingness to look again

Method

1. Count the obvious shapes
2. Pause and reconsider
3. Look for what you missed
4. Accept that your first answer may not be the best one

Just like cooking, success comes from patience and openness—not rushing to the finish.

What the Puzzle Teaches Us

This small challenge highlights larger truths:

• Being smart doesn’t mean being infallible
• Slowing down improves accuracy
• Listening to others expands understanding

The most insightful participants aren’t the fastest—they’re the ones willing to revise their thinking.