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Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

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Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#41

Post by RandomInteger4 »

Something like this requires dedicated and deliberate behavior modification to fix.

You've essentially developed a habit. Like others have said, this might be caused by various factors, so look at what's lacking in your life and try to fix that, but afterwards you may need to create a plan in writing to correct the behaviors of the habit that has formed, because otherwise, even if you fix the root cause, the habit might still remain.

As for how? That's a good question that I don't yet have the answer to. I'm working on the first part myself. After I fix my root cause, I think I will fix the habit via a combination of lists and daily resets (i.e. no old tabs on the computer the next day).

Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#42

Post by RandomInteger4 »

01100011 wrote: post #38
julienreszka wrote: post #2

I had that issue two months ago. I digged into my calendar and found out that's when I stopped going to the swimming pool, doing enough physical exercise. It's old knowledge but : "A Healthy mind needs a healthy body" stays true.

I tried exercise, and now that's all I want to do. Ugh...

I know that feeling; it's addictive, because it feels so good. Make sure to take rest days, otherwise you might injure yourself from not giving the muscles and tendons enough time to repair.

Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#43

Post by halleonard »

jsisto wrote: post #29

Uninstall Instagram and Facebook from your phone. Block them and other time-wasting sites on your computer. Start training yourself to not be distracted. This is what has worked best for me.

Same here.

The quicker you distance yourself from social media the healthier you will be. There's literally everything to gain by leaving it behind.

Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#44

Post by sys_64738 »

01100011 wrote: post #34
DennisP wrote: post #14

This is a common problem. The book Deep Work goes into it in detail, and has some research-based techniques to fix it. Basically it boils down to removing distractions, and determination, gradually building up your brain's ability to focus again. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X47ZVXM

If I try eliminating distractions, I just end up daydreaming. I spend most days at work just reading the same shit over and over with nothing sticking. I manage to get work done in rare bursts after exhausting my brain with distractions. Fwiw, I'm in my mid 40s and have less than a year of treating my sleep apnea. I'm pretty sure I've had ADHD my whole life but blamed other things until recently. I'm trying to resist…

Don't medicate but challenge yourself. Learn a new editor while doing your job. Try using Windows instead of using a Mac. Try typing only left handed. There are varioud challenges to overcome boring assignments. Also try a standing desk so if you skive then you must stand up for fifth teen mins.

Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#47

Post by ErotemeObelus »

No you didn't. This is an emotional problem masquerading as a cognitive one.

This happens to me at my three-hour university lectures. Some days I am emotionally tortured and cannot focus at all. Some days I am emotionally healthy and can focus through nearly the whole thing.

Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#48

Post by stephenwithav »

mojuba wrote: post #37
nix0n wrote: post #30

Changing the color scheme in your editor can make your work seem novel again. Electronic music also helps me, but this is counterproductive for some.

Yep, good underground techno mixes at 125 or higher bpm can give you the drive and concentration you need for extended periods of time. My coworkers usually get a slight shock when they learn what kind of music I have in my headphones during work, being a 50 year old guy :)

Do you have a public playlist?

Re: Ask HN: I lost my ability to focus for hours on coding. How to regain?

#50

Post by halleonard »

Recognize that your FOMO (fear of missing out) is greatly amplified by social media and that using it only makes the situation far (far) worse, leading to more distraction, leading to more social media use, which feeds right back into the vicious cycle.

Learn to live without social media -> watch your life improve.

It's as simple as that.

Delete your accounts, including Twitter. Find other ways to stay connected to timely information. Treat it as a good challenge that you _can_ succeed at, as something that will make you stronger and healthier in the end.

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