Be careful not to prime yourself

When answering hard questions, it's tempting to research how others have approached them. By learning from their mistakes and building on their successes, you'll be able to move faster. But, this comes at the cost of starting to think like them. Because you've primed yourself to think comparatively, it's harder to think of ideas that can't be easily categorized based on what's been done before.

For example, if you're trying to convince someone to offer you a unique opportunity, looking at opportunities that have been offered in the past may not be the best first step. Knowing what's worked in the past is likely bias you against asking for things that don't fit the mold for fear of rejection. So, think of your own ideas first, then do your homework to make sure you're well prepared to take full advantage.