6 ms·

I find this to be true with computer programming/work for me. I’m productive in bursts.

by mylons 6y ago

grugagag 6y ago
I'm productive in bursts as well. I have the feeling that in between bursts things are still computing in the background so it looks like you're not doing anything but the brain is still churning. This type of bursty productivity is very hard to account for in a corporate environment where one's productivity should be accounted for on a daily basis and laid down in cookie cutter time slots. I often wonder whether I have ADHD since I can hyperfocus when Im in a productive burst. Unfortunately/fortunately I don't tick other boxes so I'm in a limbo with the diagnosis
- nicky0 6y ago
  I think it's quite common among programmers. At least, I have always been that way too. I can go week of unproductive time then suddenly several days of immersion.
  - grugagag 6y ago
    That's the reason I avoid taking the Ritaline/Amphetamines route. I think it is normal and i wouldn't want to be a productivity machine anyway
    - entropicdrifter 6y ago
      They're also bad for your heart and can really mess up your diet if you're not careful
    - sildur 6y ago
      “The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long”
- smabie 6y ago
  If you goal is to get prescribed stimulants (amphetamines, ritalin, or modafinil), it's pretty trivial to get diagnosed and prescribed. Psychs hand that stuff out like candy
  - grugagag 6y ago
    I tried some and I don't like their effect. Yes, I can sit down through boring stuff but the intrinsic interest becomes dries up while on these. It is true that I didn't try this treatment for extended periods of time but I may if I absolutely need to (but only temporarily, up to a couple of months or so). For now I try to enjoy my average productivity which comes in bursts and that is okay
  - toyg 6y ago
    I don't know how it is in the US, but I'm scared of even trying to be diagnosed in the UK. Once you're in the system as somebody with psych problems, a lot of things can get harder. I fear the risk is not worth satiating the curiosity.
    - cbsks 6y ago
      I guess that’s one benefit of the US’s terrible health system? There isn’t a single “system” so even if one doctor diagnoses you with something, a different doctor in a different office won’t have any idea about it unless you volunteer the information.
      - IggleSniggle 6y ago
        Just FYI, this is increasingly less true in many respects...although the opposite problem also occurs, where there is so much noise that the important pieces for any given visit do not surface for the doc.
      - rhyswallace 6y ago
        Wait the US doesn't have a centralized/shared medical records service? I never realized that! In France, I suppose like in the UK, we have our "Carte Vitale" ("Life/Vital Card"), which is scanned each visit to a doctor, hospital, pharmacy, etc, each updating your personal database nationally. It also serves as a link to your insurance provider in each location, so reimbursements are automatic.
- thaumasiotes 6y ago
  > I have the feeling that in between bursts things are still computing in the background so it looks like you're not doing anything but the brain is still churning. This is something that's bothered me since my university put out a survey asking about time spent on homework. Suppose the following things happen: 1. A math class assigns a proof. 2. I look at the problem, fiddle around with it for 20 minutes, and get nowhere. 3. I play Final Fantasy for 6 days. 4. I go back to the problem. In 40 minutes, I have the proof worked out. How long did I spend on the proof? What if the counterfactual was 1. Proof gets assigned. 2. Look at it, do nothing. 3. The day after, sit down and spend 3 hours proving it. How long did I spend then? Are the two scenarios... different?
  - mandelbrotwurst 6y ago
    I think about this in terms of how much clock time has elapsed versus how much working time I spend on something - i.e. I am very often able to trade an increase in clock time elapsed (taking more breaks) for a decrease in working time, and vice versa. As with most things, this comes with diminishing returns as you push toward minimizing one over the other. Sometimes, even negative returns, e.g. because of increased context switching costs, or confusion and general malaise caused by staring at something for too long.
    - thaumasiotes 6y ago
      > I am very often able to trade an increase in clock time elapsed (taking more breaks) for a decrease in working time, and vice versa. But this is the problem with a survey of "how long does the homework take?". The question isn't well defined. The answer doesn't exist.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
- sjg007 6y ago
  ADHD is defined based on symptoms in childhood. A lot of adults discover they have ADHD when they take their kids in for testing/assessment due to school issues and the kids are diagnosed. The drugs stimulate your executive function which helps you concentrate.

I find this to be true with computer programming/work for me. I’m productive in bursts.

by mylons 6y ago

I find this to be true with computer programming/work for me. I’m productive in bursts.

I'm productive in bursts as well. I have the feeling that in between bursts things are still computing in the background so it looks like you're not doing anything but the brain is still churning. This type of bursty productivity is very hard to account for in a corporate environment where one's productivity should be accounted for on a daily basis and laid down in cookie cutter time slots. I often wonder whether I have ADHD since I can hyperfocus when Im in a productive burst. Unfortunately/fortunately I don't tick other boxes so I'm in a limbo with the diagnosis

nicky0 6y ago
I think it's quite common among programmers. At least, I have always been that way too. I can go week of unproductive time then suddenly several days of immersion.
- grugagag 6y ago
  That's the reason I avoid taking the Ritaline/Amphetamines route. I think it is normal and i wouldn't want to be a productivity machine anyway
  - entropicdrifter 6y ago
    They're also bad for your heart and can really mess up your diet if you're not careful
  - sildur 6y ago
    “The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long”
smabie 6y ago
If you goal is to get prescribed stimulants (amphetamines, ritalin, or modafinil), it's pretty trivial to get diagnosed and prescribed. Psychs hand that stuff out like candy
- grugagag 6y ago
  I tried some and I don't like their effect. Yes, I can sit down through boring stuff but the intrinsic interest becomes dries up while on these. It is true that I didn't try this treatment for extended periods of time but I may if I absolutely need to (but only temporarily, up to a couple of months or so). For now I try to enjoy my average productivity which comes in bursts and that is okay
- toyg 6y ago
  I don't know how it is in the US, but I'm scared of even trying to be diagnosed in the UK. Once you're in the system as somebody with psych problems, a lot of things can get harder. I fear the risk is not worth satiating the curiosity.
  - cbsks 6y ago
    I guess that’s one benefit of the US’s terrible health system? There isn’t a single “system” so even if one doctor diagnoses you with something, a different doctor in a different office won’t have any idea about it unless you volunteer the information.
    - IggleSniggle 6y ago
      Just FYI, this is increasingly less true in many respects...although the opposite problem also occurs, where there is so much noise that the important pieces for any given visit do not surface for the doc.
    - rhyswallace 6y ago
      Wait the US doesn't have a centralized/shared medical records service? I never realized that! In France, I suppose like in the UK, we have our "Carte Vitale" ("Life/Vital Card"), which is scanned each visit to a doctor, hospital, pharmacy, etc, each updating your personal database nationally. It also serves as a link to your insurance provider in each location, so reimbursements are automatic.
thaumasiotes 6y ago
> I have the feeling that in between bursts things are still computing in the background so it looks like you're not doing anything but the brain is still churning. This is something that's bothered me since my university put out a survey asking about time spent on homework. Suppose the following things happen: 1. A math class assigns a proof. 2. I look at the problem, fiddle around with it for 20 minutes, and get nowhere. 3. I play Final Fantasy for 6 days. 4. I go back to the problem. In 40 minutes, I have the proof worked out. How long did I spend on the proof? What if the counterfactual was 1. Proof gets assigned. 2. Look at it, do nothing. 3. The day after, sit down and spend 3 hours proving it. How long did I spend then? Are the two scenarios... different?
- mandelbrotwurst 6y ago
  I think about this in terms of how much clock time has elapsed versus how much working time I spend on something - i.e. I am very often able to trade an increase in clock time elapsed (taking more breaks) for a decrease in working time, and vice versa. As with most things, this comes with diminishing returns as you push toward minimizing one over the other. Sometimes, even negative returns, e.g. because of increased context switching costs, or confusion and general malaise caused by staring at something for too long.
  - thaumasiotes 6y ago
    > I am very often able to trade an increase in clock time elapsed (taking more breaks) for a decrease in working time, and vice versa. But this is the problem with a survey of "how long does the homework take?". The question isn't well defined. The answer doesn't exist.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
sjg007 6y ago
ADHD is defined based on symptoms in childhood. A lot of adults discover they have ADHD when they take their kids in for testing/assessment due to school issues and the kids are diagnosed. The drugs stimulate your executive function which helps you concentrate.