11–20 of 34 posts
8h/day programming is exhausting. I have one hour lunch and spend two hours doing non-programming work (e.g. discussing code with colleagues over IM). If I program 8 hours straight I'd be sleeping at 7 too.
I think most people are not equipped to deal with monotony/drudgery. I find that it really helps to have hobbies that will recharge you mentally. Double plus if that hobby happens to involve physical exercise. Eg: I'm trying to develop swimming and squash as hobbies. There will be days when I'll be be listless and frustrated, but a couple of hours of these mentally relaxes me enormously. Also, I often prefer more active to passive forms of relaxation, like playing pool/carrom by myself. HTH; Good luck!
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Other responses on this thread have good suggestions (friends, etc. Spending time with your partner, or dating might also help). Loneliness is often a trigger for listlessness. Needless to say, get your health checked and ensure you're having a healthy diet.
This sounds like the work you do in those 8 hours is either:
1. Not challenging enough or
2. Too much for one guy (you) to handle.
You're zoned out. Figure out which one it is. There are meditation techniques to give your mind the space and time to think about this. A simple break (a week or more) away from the work is often good enough for me while my mind subconsciously processes things. (Don't do any work during this break!)
If you find that the work is not challenging enough, change your environment, move slowly into more and more challenging work where you feel the feedback of accomplishment re-energises you. If this move is based on a request to a boss, client etc and it falls on deaf ears, start looking for another job/client.
If the work is too challenging, ask for sensible deadlines (fuk I hate deadlines!), scope reductions and a kinder work environment. If this request of yours falls on deaf ears, start making plans to quit for an alternative that is better.
The fact that you picked this up is already a good sign.
Good luck!
Try introducing short breaks every hour or so. 5 minutes, perhaps 10 every other time. When doing so, walk around a bit. It is important to physically separate yourself from the work area. I recommend going outside and taking your mind off of whatever task(s) you are immersed in solving. Doing so with a coworker you get along with often adds to the benefit. HTH
Try introducing short breaks every hour or so. 5 minutes, perhaps 10 every other time. When doing so, walk around a bit. It is important to physically separate yourself from the work area. I recommend going outside and taking your mind off of whatever task(s) you are immersed in solving. Doing so with a coworker you get along with often adds to the benefit. HTH