Describes perfectly some problems I've had when sleeping. They are not really any problems I think before sleeping and even in my sleep I'm not sure what the problem is but oh boy is my brain thinking hard about it. Usually I need to reset by walking around my apartment for a minute. Thankfully I've had less and less of these nights recently.
When I need to learn how to use a new tool, I’ll read through the docs, some tutorial examples and try to find an actual complicated example (which is usually what I actually need to work with) of how it’s used. The first day, I kind of get it in theory but struggle to connect how the tool interacts with everything else. If I get a good night’s sleep I’m usually ready to get my hands dirty the next day with the complicated stuff because my understanding greatly increased overnight
As other comments already mentioned, this works amazing for problem solving related jobs as well. As an engineer I use this actively on almost a weekly basis.
To make this work you just gotta really think about that problem and understand the actual parameters very well. Like almost every detail. And you really need to want it solved. Like make it really bother you. This usually comes by itself if you are engaged enough with the problem anyway. You can't solve something subconsciously when you just glanced at it and think "meh" about it. Then go to sleep and hope for the best if you didn't already solve it by using the above steps. Worst case is you wake up with the urge to understand the problem better and either get the solution or the next hints within the day ... or next session of sleep. The brain is really an amazing tool if utilized right.