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Ask HN: How do you focus at work?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?

#21

Post by tomjen3 »

maerF0x0 wrote: post #13
Thaxll wrote: post #9

Get a Bose QC 35, it will change your life and also your future flights.

Many have said that noise cancellation does not work for coworkers' voices. Is that your experience or are these for another reason?

That depends on the distance -- it won't work for coworkers very close to you, but anyone more than a few meters (depending on volume) will be removed.

Though keep in mind that they remove noise, so things like fans are going to be gone, but they aren't made to shut everything out.

Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?

#24

Post by micky_25 »

At my current work my main distraction is in my peripheral vision as I can see every move made by co-workers either side of me. I'm seriously considering buying sunglasses with side shields or some type of goggle, similar to a race horse. In the spirit of Cato the Elder, Open Offices must be destroyed!

Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?

#25

Post by loco5niner »

captain_perl wrote: post #11

The OP makes it sound like inability to focus is a normal thing, but it's not. I've never used white noise or headphones to improve focus, and it's rare that co-workers ever use headphones. So maybe investigate whether the problem is you or the office. Or if you really understand what you're being paid to do - I can write documentation and diagrams effortlessly.

> The OP makes it sound like inability to focus is a normal thing, but it's not.

But it is normal. When there are noises and distractions all around your desk, of course it's hard to focus.

It's also normal to be able to drown all those things out, and completely zone it out and focus on work.

It's also normal to thrive on activity, getting your best work done in a busy environment.

It really depends on the kind of work you are doing, and the kind of person you are. There is a wide spectrum of what is "normal".

There is a simple reason that libraries/exam rooms/lecture halls are not full of distraction. People focus better without distraction.

Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?

#27

Post by lowhangingnuts »

Addy. 5 mg. Every other day.

I know this will be down-voted, but I've been having issues focussing at work and completing projects for the last 10 years or so.

Visited a Psychiatrist (in Palo Alto). After listening to my situation, she followed it up with a detailed Q & A. She then prescribed 5 mg XR (extended release) of Adderall. Apparently "mild ADHD" is a thing with software engineers in their 30s and up...

The difference has been night and day. I'm completely focussed now, in the zone. I've even gotten side-projects that were languishing for many years, done and shipped over 2 weekends!

I take it only on days I need to focus and get something done. I also take weekends off and also take 1 week per month completely off. This keeps me from building tolerance.

Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?

#28

Post by zwieback »

micky_25 wrote: post #24

At my current work my main distraction is in my peripheral vision as I can see every move made by co-workers either side of me. I'm seriously considering buying sunglasses with side shields or some type of goggle, similar to a race horse. In the spirit of Cato the Elder, Open Offices must be destroyed!

I have a pair of Julbo sunglasses I use for skiing - those would work great and they stay on your ears even during frenzied hacking sessions.
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