How can one improve one's problem-solving ability?

Everyone says same thing: "a real programmer knows how to handle real problem." But they forget how they learn this ability, or where (I know in school, no one gives us any ability, of course in my opinion).

If you have any idea except above ones, feel free when you give your advice

• solve more problems
• do more exercises, write code, search google then write more ...

For me, my question is like "use complex/known library instead of using your own." In other words, I want your personal experience, book recommendation, webpage on problem solving. Moreover, look your problem-solving method and give us your personal ability as if it is an algorithm