There are too many shiny objects and it is killing me

Sounds like me. What I've found helpful is to reduce the scope of the project. Focus on base hits rather than home runs.

Not quite the same as "MVP" if MVP implies permission to release something crappy and incomplete.

I shoot for something small, polished and excellent.

The finishing stretch is hard. One has to learn to enjoy this process; documenting, adding unit tests (if needed), jumping through hoops like CPAN or the app store.

I think finishing is a habit we can build.

You sound exactly like me, except that your problems developed later in life. I have ADHD and have never had much success in managing it. I've spent years trying to figure out why that is and I've got a theory/solution that I'm working on.

The theory: I've developed a cycle of habits involving research and I have few ways to disrupt that cycle. The cycle's usually entered through wondering if something exists (I have a new idea) or wanting to answer a question (best practices for TDD?).

It explains the difficulty in trying to avoid the cycle (it gets triggered routinely throughout the day...complete avoidance = massive willpower drain), as well as my difficulty in establishing new habits (the likelihood of a habit I'm developing gets interrupted before it's solid increases with time, violating the "don't break the chain" concept). It also explains why a highly collaborative work environment overcomes the issues, though I've only experienced that at hackathons. It also explains why the cycle developed when you were isolated and without work: the brain pumps out tons of dopamine when we encounter novelty (eg. learn something new) and without a project, that's one of the main things we programmers do.

Here's what I'm working on (first draft): https://github.com/ADHDExperiments/Rehabbit

Right now, I'm trying to write up something I can start posting in behavioral health groups online to try and get experts to help flesh it out. It may be overkill, but I'm not sure of another way out.

Please contact me; info's in profile. We should definitely talk!

Not to add injury to insult but I've grappled with the same and found this humorous to read - only because it hit so close to home (except for the Windows server, never Windows servers).

The only thing that's helped me grapple with this is Kaizen quite honestly. I'm not going to posit another book for you to read, but - there are a few good ones. Focusing on small tasks to break out of that mold was the only way I could circumvent the cyclical loop that I can only describe as an ungodly marriage of procrastination and "Squirrel!".

Iterative improvement ftw. But I find that honestly it is fairly unique to artistic pursuits and not science/engineering work.

Something you can start doing right now: exercise and take non-computer breaks. Even 30 minutes of walking around will sharpen your focus. 20 minutes on an elliptical will be even better. There's ample clinical evidence on how exercise is really helpful with focus and mood.

Then, importantly: don't just "talk your doctor into giving you ADD drugs". Go find a good psychiatrist, or at least, a psychiatrist who will give you a proper ADHD assessment and with whom you can work on medication if needed. ADHD assessment takes at least few hours and is far more than just self-reported symptoms and history-based. It typically includes objective attention/executive processing tests and also evaluates you for any other possible conditions.

Do you have any anxiety issues? That can very well contribute.

Ideally, they would be also able to refer you to a psychologist or coach who would help you figure out what you want and teach you some valuable skills you could use to help yourself. Psychologist can really give you a higher-level picture of what the hell is going on.

Basically, go get help. Worst case, you'll learn something, and best case, you'll learn a lot and be happier and more productive.