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Productivity tips for the easily distracted

jacquesmattheij.com

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Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#21

Post by barrkel »

bricestacey wrote: post #18
mhd wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He's Dutch, right? And while other people might not have the requisite place to put a caravan, they might also not actually have the need for one, due to being alone in their apartments. If you're married with children and work from home in a small apartment, you might need to get a bit more creative. Good headphones usually help, and if you don't even have a room to yourself, mounting some curtain rails to the ceili…

I believe he lives in Canada. You can find a few good stories on his blog about it. http://jacquesmattheij.com/dealing+with+burn+out

Dutch license plate (you can make out the NL) and European plugs. It's very probably the Netherlands.

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#22

Post by jacquesm »

barrkel wrote: post #21
bricestacey wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe he lives in Canada. You can find a few good stories on his blog about it. http://jacquesmattheij.com/dealing+with+burn+out

Dutch license plate (you can make out the NL) and European plugs. It's very probably the Netherlands.

That's correct, I moved back in 2005.

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#23

Post by swah »

synnik wrote: post #17

I did something similar - I finished the area under my basement stairs, hung monitors from the stairs above me, and put fabric on all the walls for soundproofing. I have to climb through my storage area, under a shelf, and through a small hole to get in... but that also means I cannot easily get out and take a break. I just keep on working. Likewise, I am so hidden that my kids just assume that I am downtown in my of…

Also, your mom can't find you!

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#24

Post by barkingcat »

I use a local hostel - when I find that I need some time to focus and work on writing and editing and coding - I book a few nights at the hostel - and just work away in the public area. There are always people around, so I'm less inclined to become an antisocial slob - and I get to focus on work while all the amenities are taken care of for me.

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#27

Post by briandon »

synnik wrote: post #17

I did something similar - I finished the area under my basement stairs, hung monitors from the stairs above me, and put fabric on all the walls for soundproofing. I have to climb through my storage area, under a shelf, and through a small hole to get in... but that also means I cannot easily get out and take a break. I just keep on working. Likewise, I am so hidden that my kids just assume that I am downtown in my of…

I'm not trying to spook you, but be sure to remind your family members to check for you in your basement nest if they can't find/reach you elsewhere.

It would be awful to experience a stroke or something similar, be unable to call for help, and not have anyone know where you were.

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#28

Post by yason »

As long as you're fighting against yourself—effectively first trapping yourself and then hacking yourself out of your own trap—you're not making actual progress. However, it's likely that you're either doing the wrong thing, doing it for the wrong reasons, or doing it at the wrong time.

My productivity just happens with the right task, project, or job. I don't care how many browser windows I have open or what's happening on IRC. I just have my emacs open and I probably flip it back and forth with a terminal window or wherever I can see my program running, and watch it grow.

But it's a terrifying thought to accept that you're not doing the right thing. It's much easier to try to remove all distractions.

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#29

Post by Jun8 »

The caravan thing is not an option for me but the chess clock is pure genius. Sure, there are tons of timer apps for the desktop and the phone and pushing a button on a physical object is much better.

However, the clock that's shown in his photo is kind of expense ~$70+ on eBay + $10 shipping. The cheapest wooden clock I could find was from the Chess Store (http://www.amazon.com/TCS-Standard-Wood-Chess-Clock/dp/B003Z...) for $25 but it has no reviews.

Re: Productivity tips for the easily distracted

#30

Post by zachcb »

jncraton wrote: post #12
cygwin98 wrote: post #10

I wonder how Jacques avoids the Internet distractions in his new setup as he still has a network connection. I am also the kind of person who gets distracted rather easily as I have a really broad spectrum of hobbies/interests. I've tried some similar approaches without much success. Back in old days when I was still a graduate student, I had a paper deadline due in a few days, but I was addictive in Slashdot discuss…

Your post highlights the core of the problem. Ultimately, productivity solutions have to include a recognition that technology can only enhance your self-control; it can't replace it. I, like you, have spent days trying to optimize my work space and computer for productivity. It was a waste of time. The best way to get work done is to get somewhere where you can focus. This includes not just location, but also mindse…

I am one who can also get easily distracted by going to other sites. Usually an article like the one posted here would take me about 25 minutes to read because I'd switch tabs after about the first two paragraphs. The only thing that has helped me is if I can catch myself switching tabs. I think it's kind of "retraining your brain."

There are other techniques that you can try, such as having three computers in separate rooms. One is for your work, another is for play (slashdot, TechCrunch, etc) and the last one is for communication (email, Facebook, twitter, etc) although those could fit under play as well.

ADHD drugs work great (specifically Concerta) but the side effects can be quite bothersome.

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