i think this is a double-sided issue. some people need the focus. some people need the distraction. if i were in this situation, i would need the distraction

i think this is a double-sided issue. some people need the focus. some people need the distraction. if i were in this situation, i would need the distraction, even if it were just using the exact same skills on another application. gives me a break, clears my mind of the woes of the "real" project, and sometimes allows me to take different mental paths to solve a problem i was having difficulty with. to follow your metaphor, an overfull balloon or a balloon that is fully expanded for too long will burst.