The Feynman algorithm is very underrated. I think some people see it as a joke, as though it's clearly not a working method. But it's how I do most of my difficult work, possibly as a result of majoring in physics where "stare at the problem for a few hours" is the standard approach.

I think my strongest asset is not understanding when a problem is difficult and staring at the problem for hours anyway.

There are classes of problems that don't trivially decompose into a series of easier problems. The only way is to punch your way through them.