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> Solve all the problems at the end of the chapters in the textbook

It really depends on the textbook, isn't it? I find it impossible to solve all the problems in CLRS, for example. Our professor assigned one of the problems about universal hashing, and it took me hours to get the key insights to find the correct proof. I can't imagine how one can solve all the problems given so many competing priorities, except for a few truly talented.

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Did you do the few hundred problems before that build up the techniques and theorems?

> given so many competing priorities,

Undoubtedly, the best time to do this was when you were young. The second best time is now. Pick a book and work on a problem or 2 every day. It will likely take 6 months or so but you will learn the material. This is an incredible way to level up in a technical area.

Imagine how much knowledge is in CLRS.

The point is that you gradually get better at it. And by gradually I mean exponentially. If you start with a problem at then end of the book, it'll be very difficult.

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