Create a buffer between yourself and the necessity of the task. It's cliche, but I love to take a walk. I find that my mind reliably wanders away from the thing I'm trying to do. And when I remember it, as I walk, I can feel excitement rather than pressure, for coming upon the problem as if by chance. It's a little cheat, a self-inflicted head trick. Every time this happens, it makes me realize that you're never ready to do something well until you want to.
Ask HN: How do you focus?
51–58 of 58 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#52I have ADD/ADHD so it's very difficult. Some things might seem extreme to some people. GTD - Getting Things Done is an invaluable book/workflow/system. The GTD workflow map helps if you're familiar with the system: http://ideas2followup.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/gtd-workfl... Objective-- One thing often overlooked, undervalued, and even stressful is knowing that your focus is correctly directed. (GTD helps) This is…
Great post, it's like you're describing my life - minus that whole "solutions" thing you've got going on :) Regarding sounds and noises during work, have you tried ambient style music or noise machines in the background, for example: http://musicforprogramming.net/ I've honestly gotten to the point where I can't sit down and get any work done without it, but I'm sort of paranoid that it might be a distraction and I'm…
I've listened to classical, and as long as it's slow it's not bad. I've listened to a lot of binaural beats, and for focusing it worked quite well. Thanks for sharing I will definitely check this out.
You should run a test comparing amount of code commits made listening as opposed to silence. Kind of like lovesdata did with coffee and universal analytic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C27yMQOS8n0
I don't think you can cure it. Only suppress it, or harness it. Drugs can only do so much, but taking them while I was in school definitely helped. Believe it or not, medical marijuana helps more than one would think, but it's illegal in my state.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#53If I'm having a day where I am not getting much done, I stop trying. I close and leave the laptop and my phone at my desk, take a notebook and a pen, and go to the local library, where I sit down and write for an hour or two a discussion of why I am not getting anything done, and what I can do about it. The next time this happens again, I repeat the process, except I also reread the entry (yes, you need to keep the j…
Do you find that it's the mind-hand connection (going analog, writing it out) that makes the difference, or simply the act of self-examination? Or is the pen and paper necessary to get away from the distractions the laptop offers?
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#54I focus by ceasing all communication with the rest of the world. Logging out of your social media accounts and closing anything else that isn't relevant to what I am trying to focus on is a wonderful approach.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#55If I'm having a day where I am not getting much done, I stop trying. I close and leave the laptop and my phone at my desk, take a notebook and a pen, and go to the local library, where I sit down and write for an hour or two a discussion of why I am not getting anything done, and what I can do about it. The next time this happens again, I repeat the process, except I also reread the entry (yes, you need to keep the j…
Do you find that it's the mind-hand connection (going analog, writing it out) that makes the difference, or simply the act of self-examination? Or is the pen and paper necessary to get away from the distractions the laptop offers?
I don't think it is specifically the mind-hand connection that makes the difference; the important parts are
1) having a ritual 2) being away from both distractions electronic and human
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#56Marijuana and a medium-long walk.
Weed actually helps you code?
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#57I've found learning to slip into focus and stay focussed are two different things.
Each are a skill to learn on your own through a set of strategies and tactics you can recognize that work for you.
I try to see if I'm restless and can't focus, I try standing up and working, if I'm tired, I try to sit. I try to keep my workspace only for working. I try to do separate computers/devices between work and personal so it's a hard context shift.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus?
#58I have ADHD, so I stick to the Pomodoro technique for work/rest cycles. I will listen to music/podcasts to reduce background noise in my cube farm.
I also practice mindful meditation and yoga to prevent any distractions that may be caused by stress. Early in my career I allowed it to burn myself out severely and since practicing meditation, I can think more clearly and not over-react.