In essence, discipline.
Motivation is fleeting, sometimes it's not there. And in those situations, discipline helps you continue doing what you do.
Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
71–80 of 84 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is the most underrated comment in this thread. Purpose is essential in ensuring one's mental well-being. Without it, you hit burnout or depression quickly.
I don't see how this helps anyone who is struggling. Purpose isn't something that you can just go and get more of.
For men, being on their purpose is the most important thing in their life.
The reason a lot of men struggle, especially younger ones, is that our society overall, especially single-parent homes headed by women, don't provide an example of this.
If you need advice on this topic, check out the Red Pill and MGTOW channels on Youtube. They emphasize being on your purpose first, and dating last.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#73Sounds like you're suffering from mild depression; one of the common symptoms is lack of motivation. If you try powering through your symptom, there is a good chance it will make your anxiety rise. And that's arguably worse. Let me ask you: How often do you exercise? Do you meditate? When was the last time you lost yourself on a good walk? Have you been taking vitamin D supplements (important for us northerners durin…
How do you jump from lack of motivation to a diagnostic of depression?!
The same way one can jump from lack of energy to a diagnosis of poor diet or poor exercise.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#74Sometimes you are not focused because deep inside, you know that the task at hand is not what you need. If this is the case, and you can admit it, then it is an excellent opportunity to reflect on yourself. Maybe you are at a meaningless job, and it is time to move on. I just want to make a point that lack of focus may not be a bad thing.
I'm working on stuff I find deeply meaningful and yet I still struggle with focus and motivation. Working on things that are meaningful and inspiring is an important foundation, but there will always be tedious parts to meaningful work, and burnout can strike any project. The most helpful things I've found is to work alongside others if possible, to take care of your health, to switch things up periodically, and recognizing that getting just a few hours of work done a day is actually pretty good.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#75Many folks have been going through this. It sucks, and what works for some may not work with others. Things that have helped me: * Clear the goddamn desk. Things on your desk other than what you need is a distraction even if you see them and don't act on them. * If you're like me, you have certain pavlovian impulses to hit up your favorite social media sites. HN has anti-procrastination features, use them. There's al…
This is great actionable advice no matter where you’re working. Had to login just to upvote this.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#76When I left an office and starting working freelance from home, I tried every productivity trick in the book with little success.
In the end, it turned out that I had undiagnosed ADHD that had been accommodated by an almost perfect office environment. At home, the glaring lack of focus became a huge issue.
I don’t know if you may have the same, but to my understanding this is how many people have first discovered symptoms.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#77I have perused threads like this for years. Ive read most popular self help books and watched all the recommended videos. I still havent permanently cracked it, but these two things helped me more than most other things.
1. Use one monitor. Dont have videos or TV on. Dont do non work related things before work.
2. Breaking tasks into manageable chunks so you can experience meaningful progress. Watching yourself complete things spurs you on, but only if you arent dwelling on the overwhelming nature of the task. Focus on the little picture.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#78Many folks have been going through this. It sucks, and what works for some may not work with others. Things that have helped me: * Clear the goddamn desk. Things on your desk other than what you need is a distraction even if you see them and don't act on them. * If you're like me, you have certain pavlovian impulses to hit up your favorite social media sites. HN has anti-procrastination features, use them. There's al…
To add to the desk and HN thing:
Keep your work and private computer separate. Makes it much easier to do work when on the work machine and social network stuff when on the personal machine.
Failing that, have two separate accounts on your computer.
If possible, take breaks and lunch in a separate room from the computer.
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#79- Clean / reorg everything every once in a while
- Stay physically active / exercise
- Get sunlight every once in a while
- Stay socially, intimately, and sexually active
Re: Ask HN: How to stay focused and motivated working from home?
#80I would suggest to take a look at https://gather.town It wouldn't replace being in an office but some of their features definitely helps create a sense of being somewhere else such as having a desk, meeting areas etc. What I am currently trying to do is to find a office space just for myself close by but that has proven pretty hard since everybody is expecting to write contract for > 6 months.
That looks cute and fun, but the moment anyone would try to video chat me, I'd turn off my video. Can't deal with it.