Looking for something external, trick, app or whatever, and generally relying on science for concentration is conceptually the wrong approach.
Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
31–40 of 188 posts
Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#32Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#33Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#34Just joined a Flow Working workshop by Dr. Antoine Larchez and had some interesting results. As a lifelong (functional) procrastinator with diagnosed ADHD, I brought down 2.5h of effortless (once started) work on paper, some of the best in a couple of months if not years. I have yet to see whether the methods are scaleable and replicable for me, but a lot of the content resonated with me, especially the insight that…
Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#35Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#36For me I have noticed that either one hemisphere is ready to create or the other. Example: if my mind is cold for writing. Then drawing is hot. But if sketching is cold, then writing is hot. And yes. Caffine helps everything.
Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#37One of the most effective strategies I've learned isn't necessarily cheap, but it works: Get two computers. One is your work computer. You only work on it. One is your play computer. You only play on it. If you struggle with self-control, use extensions to block or limit your time on sites like HN, Reddit, Twitter, and others on the work computer.
For me, physically moving between the two computers helps reinforce the separation. If visiting HN is an alt-tab away, it's easy to drift off when there's a lull in work or I have to wait for a compile. If I have to actually get up and move to waste time, I will put deliberate thought into it and, most of the time, not do it.
If you have the space, creating a separate home office that is in a different room from your play computer is golden. That's a lot to ask, obviously.
For a more accessible alternative, consider isolating your distracting activities to only your phone. That's what I do most of the time. I only use the phone distractions while I'm walking, which helps wake me up in the process.
Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#38Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?
#39I struggled to find a description of it on the web (everybody gets hung up on secondary details like 'light a candle' and 'read a sacred text') but basically you can (1) set a timer for some specific time (say 5-10 minutes to start, could be more once you get experienced; it's important to use the timer so you don't need to think about when to stop.) (2) meditate by closing eyes, focusing on the breath, relaxing, for…