I'm not a smart person(no formal training or a diploma) and I usually end up feeling like a complete idiot when I attempt to code something and get pissed at myself because I can't figure out something on my own (sometimes angry). I find bits and pieces of some other code and hack it to shreds and throw it together in my own code to make it work. Now, I have a really great idea for a new feature that is in win7 and I can't ask for to much help with out giving away my idea.

What I do sometimes when I get stuck is I grab a beer and a smoke and sit on my front porch and relax a few minutes. Then I visualize code in my mind almost as if I'm actually typing it out. Even though most of the time that doesn't help a lot, although it does occasionally(almost asleep in bed and it pops up in my mind). I get out of bed run to the pc before I forget and type the very rough implementation in a text. I will work on one part of a project. Albeit, it will be messy. Then even if it isn't finished. I start working on another aspect of the same project. Almost, like I jump around in the same project working on different areas at random times.


So my question.

What do you guys do when you get stuck? What are your steps to achieve fluent working code? What tips can you give someone with no real experience?

Thanks!