[tharris0101]

The last point is the best. I frequently step away from a project and take a shower or go for a walk to think about what I'm doing. Usually the problem is that I'm over complicating things and the answer will come as an "Ah-ha!" moment.

Conversely, I have to do something like read or watch a movie before bed to get my mind off of whatever project I'm working on or else I will lay awake thinking about it.

[loeschg]

I'm actually starting to find that many times I'm more productive, feel better, and I believe do better work when I do my "thinking" on paper/white board. When I sit down at a computer to do the actual coding, my brain isn't processing a ton of information. It's just using what I've already written down.

[michaelfeathers]

There's actually a book about that effect: http://www.amazon.com/Breakout-Principle-Creativity-Performa...