Meditation breaks work well for the "Thinking" part of this too. Works by the same principle as why you have aha moments in the shower or while washing dishes, i.e. no distractions and the focused activity diminishes random thoughts.
Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
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Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#12Thinking is the work - wherever or however you do it best.
Typing the code is an artifact of the work.
This is something that drives me nuts about interview questions where people want to “watch me think” - I don’t think sitting at my keyboard. I usually walk around the block or in my yard when thinking through the hard parts.
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#13Alright -- how do you improve the ergonomics of thinking?
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#14Let's just say I've never gotten RSI from thinking. I have an ergo keyboard and a nice office chair, just because I want to physically be able to do this job in a few years.
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#15My best thinking is done at a desk, with a pen and a notebook.
Yeah, there's something to be said for good old pen & paper. Not to mention, it's frequently handy to have a REPL around, just to poke at existing code, or to do a quick calculation.
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#16My best thinking is done at a desk, with a pen and a notebook.
My best thinking is done while my legs are in motion. Walking and pacing is the best. If I'm confined to a desk, my legs and arms start going crazy. Can't avoid shaking my leg.
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#17Thinking is essential to software and any kind of mental tasks in general. This used to be a problem in office environments before the pandemic, since it doesn't look like work to bosses who understand work as either sitting in meetings or sitting at a desk and typing.
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#18Hot tub is good too..
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#19My best thinking is done at a desk, with a pen and a notebook.
My best thinking is done while my legs are in motion. Walking and pacing is the best. If I'm confined to a desk, my legs and arms start going crazy. Can't avoid shaking my leg.
For whatever weird reason, pacing on my toes with a spring in my step unlocks my "overdrive" thinking mode (having systematic, "hyperlinked" conversations on complex subjects). Fidgeting with my hands or something is similar, but not as conducive.
It actually is a boon in lectures or physical presentations (people find the motions engaging), but it's usually distracting enough in problem-solving meetings with peers, that I'll avoid it in those situations.
My favorite part about working remote during COVID has been that I can finally do this during normal meetings, and nobody has to be distracted by it! :)
Re: Talking, Typing, Thinking: Software Is Not a Desk Job
#20My best thinking is done at a desk, with a pen and a notebook.
My best thinking is done while my legs are in motion. Walking and pacing is the best. If I'm confined to a desk, my legs and arms start going crazy. Can't avoid shaking my leg.
Similar here. Especially when I'm at "information overload" point, the best move is to go and take a walk around the (house, office, etc) block.