Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
51–60 of 110 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#52Different things work for different people but I'll throw my techniques into the ring. I have worked from home for the last 10 years so some of these won't be suitable for a corporate environment. - Start immediately, as soon as you get to your work environment. For me that means no breakfast, no coffee etc... until one function/problem/failing unit test/something is done. Since I'm at home when I wake up I get dress…
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Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#53Different things work for different people but I'll throw my techniques into the ring. I have worked from home for the last 10 years so some of these won't be suitable for a corporate environment. - Start immediately, as soon as you get to your work environment. For me that means no breakfast, no coffee etc... until one function/problem/failing unit test/something is done. Since I'm at home when I wake up I get dress…
These are awesome tips! I like silence the best for focus (less cognitive load the better). These have been a godsend: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-H10A-Optime-Earmuff/dp/B0000...
Basically just your basic noise blocking headphones. For extra blockage insert earbuds under them. Sublime silence.
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#54Different things work for different people but I'll throw my techniques into the ring. I have worked from home for the last 10 years so some of these won't be suitable for a corporate environment. - Start immediately, as soon as you get to your work environment. For me that means no breakfast, no coffee etc... until one function/problem/failing unit test/something is done. Since I'm at home when I wake up I get dress…
These are awesome tips! I like silence the best for focus (less cognitive load the better). These have been a godsend: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-H10A-Optime-Earmuff/dp/B0000...
Basically just your basic noise blocking headphones. For extra blockage insert earbuds under them. Sublime silence.
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#55Rather pathetically, a large bottle of Coca Cola under the desk and a pint glass to guzzle it down with. The same sugar downing tactic also works for getting quick at CoD, heh.
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#56For me it's discipline. I train my mind to work on a particular time and it has become accustomed to be in the zone at that time. Not all sessions are equally productive (some times I don't get much done) but they are progressive none the less (I am always doing something).
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#57You're definitely not alone. It goes by different names, energy, motivation, attention but in the end it's something we need more of to get everything done. Here's an ordered checklist of how to improve your situation (https://www.quora.com/Life-Advice/What-are-some-effective-wa...)
One way to beat this system is through pacing. This is by working towards short breaks (https://medium.com/the-productive-self/7bdf1f026431) or towards time limits to prevent procrastination (https://medium.com/p/ee13c1600b6b). I wrote these posts after hearing about these situations again and again. I am currently working on Catalist, a tool that effectively deals with these situations of task and flow management (http://signup.catalist.me/).
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#58Listening to Live Phish always gets my brain in gear:
1. http://www.livephish.com/
2. http://www.phishtracks.com/
For a good one listen to the famous "Tahoe Tweezer": http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/2013-07-31/tweezer
Also, check out Marco Arment's "Geek Intro to Phish": http://www.marco.org/2011/05/26/geek-intro-to-phish
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#59For me it helps taking short breaks from one problem (like, ~20 mins every couple of hours) to lay the foundations for tackling the next problem, drawing diagrams, doing some research and letting a project 'normalize' conceptually. Small context shifts kind of count as 'breaks' (to me, anyway) Its much easier to get into the zone when everything already fits into place and you have a clear purpose, than having to battle with minutae frustrations and rollbacks of badly planned work sprints.
I think if you just rush into a problem it creates a kind of impedence mismatch between your expectations of productivity and what's realistically possible and kills the mojo. So be Zen. Take ya time and do it well :D
... and if you get your meetings and lunch done and behind you by 1130am that's like 6 hours of a straight working afternoon with no planned interruptions :D
Re: Ask HN: How do you get and stay in the "zone"?
#60In my experience, the secret is highly correlated to the preparation that I do before the work even begins . What this means is practicing a daily combination of correct eating, rigorous exercise and quality sleep. With these elements in harmony and alignment, I am able to bring it. I recommend a morning yoga routine [1]. This will clear the mind, revitalize the body and set the ground-work and tempo for a fantastic…
Going on a walk outside in the morning like I do is probably better exercise than yoga.
Why do you think that?