Inner motivation is the real driver. If you are fascinated about a topic you will always come back to it and don't need all those tricks mentioned elsewhere (they may still help though).
Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
51–60 of 148 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#52I hired an intern. Pair programmed with him for a couple months straight out of a code bootcamp. Nothing will keep you in the zone like pair programming, especially on boring tasks.
Maybe that's why there are so many pair programming zealots? You can't focus unless you bring someone? It totally doesn't work for me, I can retain max 5m out of every meeting including pair programming. Most pair programming end up being someone doing the work while the other browse Twitter and pretend to follow.
Then they’re pairing wrong, imo. I’m a believer in pair programming because of the focus and communication it encourages but it still requires effort and practice.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#53At first I thought "what? You have to remind me to eat when I'm working. This guy must just not be into his work". Then I realised there may be another factor at play that I've long dreaded may come to fruition.
Are you by chance younger than 30? It could be that people just don't have attention spans like they used to (causes have been discussed to death, so I won't regurgitate. Suffice to say; the modern web). When I was growing up, we had a lot of practice being bored, which made anything that could break that boredom precious. Scarcity cultivates focus like nothing else.
Something else to bear in mind is that you're not really supposed to be able to concentrate for more than 40 minutes at a time, it's how the brain works.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#54Get tested for ADHD, even if you believe you might not have it.
I'm in my mid-30s and been somewhat successful at work but my pattern has always been that I could hyperfocus on some projects for days on end and suddenly I would be bored out of my mind and not able to focus for more than 20 minutes at a time.
I've blamed and shamed myself for years, thinking I was being lazy, that my work ethic sometimes was poor/lacking, that I could just force myself into not being in that state.
Now in my mid-30s after some years of therapy my therapist and I are uncovering that I very likely have ADHD. I don't want to be medicated, I know some terrible stories from close friends who have been medicated for more than a decade and even though it helped them somewhat the side-effects were no joke after so long. Even without medicine it's really helpful to understand why I behave like this, why I can't seem to muster the willpower that my peers and friends sometimes can to be focused for hours (with breaks).
I'm only learning now, after 30+ years of life why I'm like this, I don't wish on anyone to live this long shaming and blaming yourself for supposed failures because you don't fit the mold...
Even if you don't have ADHD try some therapy, you might uncover other reasons on why you might not be able to focus for long, there might be issues with perfectionism, fears, etc. that you are not completely aware of.
Hope you find some peace, I'm slowly getting it and it's awesome to lift this burden, even if slowly.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#55This is my method. I am blessed with being able to concentrate ferociously... had to train it a bit but most of it is innate ability. This works for me personally. I don't want to come off sounding like "hurrr just start working"..! And to OP: maybe get tested for adhd? --- You think of all tasks you can do at the moment, things where you are not blocked by anything. You prioritize them, say on urgency or on what you…
You might be trolling but I relate to your comment 100%
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#56Get tested for ADHD, even if you believe you might not have it. I'm in my mid-30s and been somewhat successful at work but my pattern has always been that I could hyperfocus on some projects for days on end and suddenly I would be bored out of my mind and not able to focus for more than 20 minutes at a time. I've blamed and shamed myself for years, thinking I was being lazy, that my work ethic sometimes was poor/lack…
It seems that the problem is shaming oneself. What utility does shaming oneself gives to those who don't have ADHD?
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#57Gonna take another opportunity moment to recommend the single most impactful secular book I've ever read: Deep Work by Cal Newport
I don't know if I have ADHD or just poisoned my boredom tolerance with years of passive stimulation, but this book genuinely changed my life, my ability to focus, and my mental frameworks around work ethic, focus, time management, and productivity.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#58Practice long periods of not having stimulating activities around you. Just sit and be bored for a few hours at the end of the day. This will increase your baseline dopamine for normal activities. When your baseline is too low, you self medicate by going on Reddit which spikes your dopamine for a while. Taking a break from stimulation lets your brain accumulate dopamine naturally
wow. awesome tip. thank you
There’s a lot more tricks to lowering your dopamine baseline:
https://hubermanlab.com/controlling-your-dopamine-for-motiva...
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#59I use the Pomodoro Technique. Given that it divides the day into 15 minute work blocks, it might work well for you too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique It's worth reading through the original Pomodoro Technique PDF, since planning and tracking is an important part of the process: http://friend.ucsd.edu/reasonableexpectations/downloads/Ciri...
I have one colleague who does pomodoro religiously. Pairing with him is always so relaxing because you don’t forget the break.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus on work for long periods of time?
#60When I used amphetamine salts I had a few rules for myself: Don't overdose, keep to low, clincally useful doses. Don't drink coffee and take amphetamine at the same time - too much stimulation, plus I don't eat breakfast. Try to eat and sleep, it's very important for your brain functioning. Stay disciplined, if you find yourself distracted try to calm down. A lower dose often helps me focus. I couldn't do work on mor…
Modafinil seems like a lighter alternative to amphetamines for people who don’t have ADHD.
I tried a small dose of Ritalin and ended practicing handstands for half the day.