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Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

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Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#121

Post by egypturnash »

The "Pomodoro Technique" works for me. http://pomodorotechnique.com/get-started/#how

I don't do all the extra stuff with time-tracking that the full method goes into; I just sit for a bit and make a little list of a few Things I'd Like To Do Today, with 6-8 checkboxes (for the total list, not each task) next to them, each representing a 25-minute block of work. Then I take the timer sitting on my desk (it's shaped like a cute ladybug, and has had everything after the 25 minute mark painted over, whimsey is important), wind it up, and start working on one of those things. When it dings, I stop for a break. Get up and stretch, go to the bathroom, get more water. Maybe get right back to working on what I was doing, if it needs more work and I'm excited about it; maybe work on one of the other things because I need a break from that thing, maybe just fuck off and take a longer break for lunch/slacking off/whatever.

There are ways to do this entirely in software, but I find I like the physicality of winding up the timer and having it sitting there on my desk ticking away.

And all that said, (a) I haven't been doing this lately, (b) I've procrastinated on my taxes until the last minute. Which is pretty much today I guess, ugh.

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#122

Post by mininao »

neikos wrote: post #91
ljf wrote: post #79

One thing I've noticed is that in some people procrastination is some sort of protection system. (Not saying this is what op has, just a discussion point) They seem to feel that most tasks in life are a bit beneath them (of course I can do this course work / assignment / deliver this project / get great grades / ace this interview - I don't really need to try). Then they keep waiting and waiting until there is little…

Yes, I have noticed this, in myself even. The only explanation I have is that the general difficulty is slowly going downwards. I was in school in two different countries (France/Germany) and on both sides there were some similarities, a shortage of funding and said funding being dependent on the number of people getting through the system. So you have this sort of pressure that acts on the difficulty, since if the d…

I have noticed exactly the same thing, having been in High School in France until 2013. However, I wonder if this idea isn't a red herring since it looks like some people have had this feeling for decades (or maybe there has been a steady decline of our academic level since then).

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#123

Post by bkovacev »

ljf wrote: post #79

One thing I've noticed is that in some people procrastination is some sort of protection system. (Not saying this is what op has, just a discussion point) They seem to feel that most tasks in life are a bit beneath them (of course I can do this course work / assignment / deliver this project / get great grades / ace this interview - I don't really need to try). Then they keep waiting and waiting until there is little…

You have described me perfectly. However, I have an adrenaline rush when I have to do things that are close to the deadline.

What do you think would be a solution to this - since you did observe it from a side and how does this behavior differ from your own behavior?

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#124

Post by Aaronik »

When you consider doing the project, notice what internal language you use. If you find yourself coding something else rather than your prioritized goal, or perusing hackernews instead of coding at all, what do you think to yourself? If you say something like, "shoot, I should be doing such and such instead of this!" or "I'm supposed to be doing this other thing. What's wrong with me?!" You might be creating an internal negative reinforcement that creates an aversion to doing things you have prioritized.

Instead of saying "I should be doing this", instead just say to yourself "I am doing this". I'll eat my own poop if you're not feeling more at ease working on your goals in no time flat.

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#125

Post by dsego »

ljf wrote: post #79

One thing I've noticed is that in some people procrastination is some sort of protection system. (Not saying this is what op has, just a discussion point) They seem to feel that most tasks in life are a bit beneath them (of course I can do this course work / assignment / deliver this project / get great grades / ace this interview - I don't really need to try). Then they keep waiting and waiting until there is little…

Maybe I am wrong, but this reminds me of narcissistic personality disorder. Check out the videos of Sam Vaknin on youtube.

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#126

Post by ams6110 »

mchannon wrote: post #35

Here's a contrarian viewpoint- There's nothing wrong with you- your subconscious is doing its job. Procrastination is an unpopular but nonetheless effective method of time and task management. In fact, I'd argue it's the most effective. Take a college class for example. Your instructor gives you a weeklong homework assignment. While a few type-A personalities may dive in right away and have it done by the following d…

Haha -- about to start my taxes. Just wanting to catch up on HN first...

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#128

Post by markyc »

egypturnash wrote: post #121

The "Pomodoro Technique" works for me. http://pomodorotechnique.com/get-started/#how I don't do all the extra stuff with time-tracking that the full method goes into; I just sit for a bit and make a little list of a few Things I'd Like To Do Today, with 6-8 checkboxes (for the total list, not each task) next to them, each representing a 25-minute block of work. Then I take the timer sitting on my desk (it's shaped li…

do you track how many pomodoros you do each day?

do you have a daily target?

Re: Ask HN: Can't concentrate to focus, until it's last minute or later

#130

Post by nerdy »

Aaronik wrote: post #124

When you consider doing the project, notice what internal language you use. If you find yourself coding something else rather than your prioritized goal, or perusing hackernews instead of coding at all, what do you think to yourself? If you say something like, "shoot, I should be doing such and such instead of this!" or "I'm supposed to be doing this other thing. What's wrong with me?!" You might be creating an inter…

That's quite a confident endorsement of this mentality shift you've got there.

(Unless you enjoy that sort of thing)

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