[itswitch]

Try solving riddles, mathematical problems, etc. That might help to get you into the right frame of mind. Don't shoot fish in a barrel, try to think about a problem at first. What is the problem, what are you trying to solve? Now, think of the approaches to solving it. How do you get the answer? Then fool around, and twiddle with things until it works. Try to separate problems into types of problems, each type requiring a certain type of solution, and fit you problem into these lists. Just my two cents.

[physloop]

Thanks for the response. What kind of mathematical problems should I be looking for? I've taken two semesters of calculus and a semester of linear algebra, but I don't think it's had much impact on my programming ability.

[robdoherty2]

Project Euler of course! http://projecteuler.net/

[physloop]

Ah, I remember solving a few of those a while ago. Unfortunately I'm not very mathematically inclined, and some of the problems there are extremely difficult to figure out.