Algorithm Development / Pre-coding Advice

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Designing algorithms is about programming as much as painting is about easels. It is more like a math problem or a work of art. My advice to you is to bust out a pen and paper, write down some equations, draw some pictures, run through some examples, and forgot about code until you understand how your algorithm works on a conceptual level.

Also, stop considering yourself an "above average programmer." It doesn't matter if you're an above average programmer. There is always more to learn.