When I get this, I add extra constraints to make the problem harder. Switch to using VI editor instead of using Emacs like I normally do. Do an ambitious rewrit

When I get this, I add extra constraints to make the problem harder. Switch to using VI editor instead of using Emacs like I normally do. Do an ambitious rewrite/refactoring, make it harder just to to add more FACTOR X. Having more unknown in a projekt makes it more rewarding imho, especially if you're turned on to constantly learning new things. It can be as simple as developing from a new platform (running some weird ass OS inside a VM and developing from that), or it can be (depending on project, writing it in some weird little language just for fun). You probably don't need less of a challenge, you need more of a challenge to get you really motivated.