Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

nicky.bearblog.dev

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–56 of 56 posts

Re: In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

#51

Post by marcosdumay »

ben30 wrote: post #22

As an autistic individual, I find task management systems invaluable not for their own sake, but because they help me overcome my natural difficulty in switching between detailed and big-picture thinking. While I excel at focusing on details, I can struggle to identify true priorities. My simple system (voice memos processed through Claude) helps me intentionally zoom between granular tasks and high-level priorities.…

This. Well, I'm not autistic, but I use them the exact same way.

The funny thing is, I have a personal project where I'm following a TODO list for minimal completion. It has finally reached the point where a single item remains, yet I get lost all the time when I start working on it thinking on extensions or not knowing what to do. So I need to constantly consult that single-item TODO list to actually get something done.

It's weird how helpful it is.

Re: In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

#52

Post by 9dev »

momento wrote: post #37
sesm wrote: post #32

First, 'doing the damn work' all day feels horrible. You need to do some self-assigned and self-guided work during the day to not feel like an assembly line worker. Second, tweaking your local setup is more like 'ergonomics' then 'productivity'. Working with more ergonomic setup may yield the same output, but it's more enjoyable.

Interesting. I feel far happier when I am able to just "do the damn work" all day. Instead, I find I am constantly having to pander to the onslaught of stakeholders who require constant meticulous management to give me the space to do the damn work. I can hardly get into a flow state anymore because of the heavy layer of management and dependencies.

Oh, I feel this. Here’s a junior with a quick question, there’s a strategy meeting, oh hey the CI pipeline broke for some reason, and why are the workers slow currently? Did you answer my email yet? Nine notifications on Teams, better go check. Fuck, the engineering management call started two minutes ago.

Re: In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

#53

Post by Schiendelman »

helboi4 wrote: post #46
Schiendelman wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your brain is refusing, maybe they aren't all you actually need? There are processes and systems that help me, as an ADHD individual, trick my brain into not refusing.

It worked for like a year. What stopped the streak was COVID. I also recently got an ADHD diagnosis. Things that help with that thus far is morning excercise, cold showers, a deadly cocktail of caffiene and nicotine, and yeah bullet journalling was literally made by an ADHD guy. The system only works if you use it. And the only issue with bullet journalling is keeping the habit of using it. I don't see how that would…

I certainly wasn't going to offer any app recommendations. Honestly, I don't use any apps either. Other than a very strict calendar overall. I don't bullet journal explicitly, but I do something similar. I use built-in notes that sync to the cloud, nothing special. A paper notebook would work equally well.

Re: In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

#54

Post by Ferret7446 »

namaria wrote: post #21

When you know what needs to be done, you don't need "productivity", you just need to work. When you don't know what needs to be done, no amount of "productivity" will compensate for the fact that any work you do is meaningless and any result thereof accidental.

This is like saying writing out steps when doing math by hand is meaningless, "you should just know the answer".

The point of "productivity" is to "show the work" on figuring out what needs to be done and in what order. Yes, you need to plan a party, but what exactly does that mean? You need to write invitations, respond to questions, contact caterers, research venues, etc.

Maybe a genius like you can figure out all of that in your head instantly, but the rest of us benefit from "writing down the steps".

Re: In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

#55

Post by Over2Chars »

reaperducer wrote: post #43
Over2Chars wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you had to write software to run the chain saw, and write software to coordinate socializing with your friends, and write software to enjoy the warm luxury of the fireplace, I suspect you'd feel much the same about your software. Sadly, modern software development (and the workplace in general) is not optimized around generating immediate, tangible outcomes that might be that rewarding.

If you had to write software to run the chain saw I am both completely unqualified and intensely interested in undertaking this task.

You aren't familiar with Software Defined Chainsaws (SDC)s? It's all the rage.

I recommend against Rust.

Re: In Defence of 'Productivity Crap'

#56

Post by helboi4 »

Schiendelman wrote: post #53
helboi4 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It worked for like a year. What stopped the streak was COVID. I also recently got an ADHD diagnosis. Things that help with that thus far is morning excercise, cold showers, a deadly cocktail of caffiene and nicotine, and yeah bullet journalling was literally made by an ADHD guy. The system only works if you use it. And the only issue with bullet journalling is keeping the habit of using it. I don't see how that would…

I certainly wasn't going to offer any app recommendations. Honestly, I don't use any apps either. Other than a very strict calendar overall. I don't bullet journal explicitly, but I do something similar. I use built-in notes that sync to the cloud, nothing special. A paper notebook would work equally well.

So yeah I think we're on the same page - simple notes is best. Anything else is overwhelming and triggers that ADHD urge to plan and fantasise and make overly large perfectionist plans without following through.
Post reply on HN