Unlocking Your Intuition: How to Solve Hard Problems Easily

Intuition. It's one of your brain's most powerful processes, and yet, so few people know how to really make use of it. So here's a bit of information in every sense - what it is, why it's so great, and how you can make yours even better.

This is all in the context of problem solving - programming, math, chess, life, etc. Any sort of "mind sport" or problem solving process.

Sources (probably not exhaustive):

Music (not in order, I'm lazy)

Local Forecast - Slower by Kevin MacLeod
License: [yt dislikes this link, removed]

Dreams by Bensound

Sthlm Sunset by Ehrling
(not exactly sure how to credit, the link is dead)

Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V (Creative Commons License)

This Is For You (Prod. by Lukrembo)

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:02 About me (my qualifications)
01:59 What is intuition?
04:07 Intuition or insight?
04:46 Why is intuition important?
05:39 How can you use intuition?
07:55 How can you improve intuition?
12:38 Do smarter people naturally have stronger intuition?
16:00 Conclusion

[mrmidas]

The subconscious is the ultimate computer. Cognition is the keyboard. Every point this man made is perfect.

[mohakus]

I always called that instinct, that feeling that clicks when I get to face a problem, it tells me that everything is kind of connected and that there are patterns everywhere. I really love that feeling of smoothness and fluidity that you get when you see a problem and already know how to solve it.

[AHeroWithNames]

Personal summary:
1. Use intuition as an additional resource – don't fully rely on it
2. Be more mindful – meditation can also help with bettering your intuition
3. Be passionate – a motivated brain is a much more effective one

[tferguson]

I’m an attorney and basically used your system of training my intuition to prepare for two bar exams. I only studied for ten days (for each exam) and passed both tests easily. Thank you for the great video.

[ahaadhussein]

"been trapped in this basement for five years" killed me lmfao

[BDyoungster]

I feel like extra-curriculars while growing up is so important.
Because at my age (26 or so), I was able to transfer the intuition I learned from sports and music into my now, programming career.
I am grateful for the introspection and patience pursuing sports and arts gave me.
Because it gives nont-academic people like me a roadmap and still viable approach to technical problems like in software.

[Dragoonking]

I think the most important thing about problem solving is to not get trapped in your way of thinking. Most solutions can be found by just taking one or two mental steps. Going in a random direction at first (like the one your intuition is telling you) is totally fine even though it might be the wrong direction. But most people trust their intuition too much and try to go forward looking for the solution in that direction instead of going back to the start and take a completely different approach.
I can't say if this also applies for programming but for real life problems, this is one of the most important things I've learned. If the solution doesn't come to you after going two steps in one mental direction, then it's most likely the wrong direction no matter what your intuition is telling you.

That's also how you come up with ideas people call "creative". Because creative ideas are usually the ones that are far away from the direction your intuition wants you to go. Afterall they wouldn't be creative if every person thinks of them immediately, would they?

[canonicall]

The analogy that comes to my mind is connecting the dots. Not only are you recognizing patterns from past experiences, but instinctively knowing that the quickest route from one point to another is a straight line, the mind already suggests the quickest route to solving problems. Kind of like if you're running late to work and you had to figure out the fastest way there.. The trick is being mindful of patterns in every area of life, or in other words, being in listening mode instead of talking mode, or auto pilot...

[preacherofblood]

This video sums up much of what I learnt from programming since I was 13, german university math and professional chess. At first you kind of feel stupid because you lack any kind of intuition, and you won’t develop it properly if you don’t constantly do problems at the edge of solvability and sometimes just check if your intuition was right for maximum efficiency.

[laeioun]

This video has made me realise that I do this exact process all the time without consciously thinking about it. It has also made me realise that I am really lazy with it and haven't achieved much. I have always been frustrated by the way teachers teach. They almost always use the slow method, it's never fast mapping. I have always found it more natural to start with a high-level concept that I do not understand as an entryway into the basic details, rather than to start with the details not knowing what they're all going to be used for. I believe the mind makes better use of information that it can assign an intended purpose to. I have always complained to my parents and told my mentors that they could just describe the whole thing to start and I would learn the details later, but they consistently told me that I was putting the cart before the horse. I heard many times that you must start with the foundation to build a house and that trying to skip important lessons could only be a detriment. Except I knew I wasn't trying to skip them, only perhaps have them presented to me rearranged. They wanted to teach their syllabus bottom-up, but I saw it upside-down.

[MegaNatebreezy]

Thank you for this! I just started a new role that requires me to think more and solve problems on a daily basis. I was struggling at first since I didn’t really have that at my previous jobs, but I’m motivated to make those mental connections. Thanks again 🙏

[philvarela]

Favorite video I've watched in a while. Ended so strong, you're so right about passion and feeling like you're in control, that's where the real fuel is.

[learning]

this video made me realize how underrated just reading the editorial is, i used to see it as a "i give up" button, but seeing as a way to improve the intuition faster is WAY more helpful.

[whythosenames]

You literally speak from my soul. I think intuition plays a central role in studying math and programming (that's what I do), if you train your intuition you will be very surprised what it is able to do. Solutions just flow as you see the problem. I would love to see studies on what the nature/nurture ratio is, I am sure it is not just nature as I for example did a lot of math in my early days. It might be just interest in problem solving which would again be a bit of nurture since you just reflect what your parents do. But yeah anyway great video, you got +1 sub

[omaurotorres]

Your conception about intelligence is absolutely correct. Geniuses are people who started super young to practice. They didnt know everything, but started the search young and made this problem-solution association early.

[achyutkayastha]

This video contains most of the things my intuition already has a grasp of. Also a gentle reminder that intuition is strengthened with life experiences and problem solving.

[Xero]

Thank you, this is what an improvement mindset looks like. I had a feeling about this as well and it applies to Information Technology as well in terms of problem solving. There is an IT intuition that I use for sure

[diego]

This is the first video (and definitely not the last) that I've seen from you and I cannot agree with you more about being passionate about learning. This is something many people lack and it truly is so powerful. An inspired and passionate brain can truly achieve wonders.

[yoursfithfully]

You’re generally one of the few people whom I feel comfortable, listening to actually talk from a deep intellectual well, and I appreciate it

[ivbnzic]

My key Takeaways :
1. Map between Problem Components and solution ideas(Mental Mapping Strategy)
2. Believe in what you are doing (Never compare yourself with others=> Everyone is Unique and have their own learning abilities and capabilities).
3. Practice Practice Practice and add mental mapping while you practice

4. Everything looks impossible until you try it