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Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

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Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#1

Post by maze_roller »

Right now I am struggling with few problems, I am not sure, if someone can relate. But, I am throwing this out for some help and guidance.

- My daily drive to be productive is down the drain. I just don't feel like working - I don't have a lot of work pressure, deadlines are comfortable, and I am meeting everything - I am in a great job, I have recently switched careers and I am feeling great about it. So no snags there.

The problem

- I just don't feel like working at all, like lazing around, doing nothing, watching TV, sports, and then just make up something and speak it out in the stand up.

Just can't seem to get out of the rut. Has anyone experienced this, and if so, how did you get out of this?

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#3

Post by uejfiweun »

I have kind of a similar situation - lots of free time during the work day. You should consider it a blessing more than anything that you have such a stable job. And if the pace is boring you, then you could use some of your free time to prep for coding interviews for more rigorous jobs.

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#4

Post by maze_roller »

uejfiweun wrote: post #3

I have kind of a similar situation - lots of free time during the work day. You should consider it a blessing more than anything that you have such a stable job. And if the pace is boring you, then you could use some of your free time to prep for coding interviews for more rigorous jobs.

Yeah, I find it is as a blessing and I am at a place which is like top of where I wanted to be. This is more of an internal battle with what I think of myself. Like "I am not this, sitting around, doing nothing guy". It is an internal battle which is slowly chewing me away.

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#5

Post by jrc2022 »

Putting on your shoes is the hardest part of going on a walk/run. The next hardest is stepping out the door. Sometimes you just have to turn off your brain and "subconsciously" do it without thinking about it. Or just straight up lie to yourself. "I'm only putting on my shoes. I'm only going outside. I'm only walking to the end of the street."

Set a timer for 5 minutes and stare at what you want to do. Don't do anything but stare and unfocus. For me that's switching to the IDE and looking at whatever code is loaded. I don't read it, I just stare for 5 mins. More times than not, before the 5 mins is up I've start working.

There's also acceptance that when you start anything, it's a slog. You need to "wade thorough sewage to get to clear water".

Change Your Brain: Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwQhKFMxmDY

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#6

Post by maze_roller »

jrc2022 wrote: post #5

Putting on your shoes is the hardest part of going on a walk/run. The next hardest is stepping out the door. Sometimes you just have to turn off your brain and "subconsciously" do it without thinking about it. Or just straight up lie to yourself. "I'm only putting on my shoes. I'm only going outside. I'm only walking to the end of the street." Set a timer for 5 minutes and stare at what you want to do. Don't do anyth…

Well this is some new idea, I have never come across this. However, how do you suggest I even make the first step towards opening an IDE and looking at it. Right now, thinking about it, seems like a drag. Just like in the putting on the shoes analogy. It is hard to even get myself to that stage at times, it is like battling an uphill boulder moving race.

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#7

Post by 8note »

maze_roller wrote: post #6
jrc2022 wrote: post #5

Putting on your shoes is the hardest part of going on a walk/run. The next hardest is stepping out the door. Sometimes you just have to turn off your brain and "subconsciously" do it without thinking about it. Or just straight up lie to yourself. "I'm only putting on my shoes. I'm only going outside. I'm only walking to the end of the street." Set a timer for 5 minutes and stare at what you want to do. Don't do anyth…

Well this is some new idea, I have never come across this. However, how do you suggest I even make the first step towards opening an IDE and looking at it. Right now, thinking about it, seems like a drag. Just like in the putting on the shoes analogy. It is hard to even get myself to that stage at times, it is like battling an uphill boulder moving race.

First, turn on your computer and sit at your desk. Step by step

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#9

Post by giantg2 »

I say this grudgingly, you need ambition. You need your performance tied to your promotions or a reputation for being a master. If you're already comfortable, then you have no real incentive to try hard.

I have a job I hate, that is stressful, and ranked me as a low performer last year (historically been ha high performers). The company has screwed me over a bunch of times, so I see my effort as being wasted or unrewarded. Why should I try? I don't even make the US median dev salary. I don't think anywhere else would be better. So I'm in a similar boat as you - looking for distractions and excuses to be lazy.

Re: Ask HN: Do you guys ever feel like this? If so, how do you get out of the slump?

#10

Post by webmobdev »

maze_roller wrote: post #6
jrc2022 wrote: post #5

Putting on your shoes is the hardest part of going on a walk/run. The next hardest is stepping out the door. Sometimes you just have to turn off your brain and "subconsciously" do it without thinking about it. Or just straight up lie to yourself. "I'm only putting on my shoes. I'm only going outside. I'm only walking to the end of the street." Set a timer for 5 minutes and stare at what you want to do. Don't do anyth…

Well this is some new idea, I have never come across this. However, how do you suggest I even make the first step towards opening an IDE and looking at it. Right now, thinking about it, seems like a drag. Just like in the putting on the shoes analogy. It is hard to even get myself to that stage at times, it is like battling an uphill boulder moving race.

Change your perspective from "I am not motivated" to "I need to act to be motivated". Action is the fuel that ignites motivation. That's why breaking down big things to small steps often works against procrastination.
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