When I’m stuck on a hard programming problem the most ineffective thing I can do is sit at the keyboard and hope a good idea arrives.

So instead, I leave my desk and focus on something else. The context switch stirs creativity and lets my subconscious chew on the problem.

My favorite ways to take a creative break:

✅ Ride a bike
✅ Go for a walk
✅ Go to the gym
✅ Visit with a coworker
✅ Take a nap or sleep on it
✅ Switch to a simpler task
✅ Hang out with friends and family

I forgot to mention my favorite technique:

Before going to bed I think: “Okay subconscious, while I sleep, I’d like a creative solution to this problem.”

This sounds silly, but I’ve found it’s highly effective. I nearly always wake up with a clear, novel solution.

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