I do that too. As for the OP, I think when he says "unproductive" that he is talking about tasks which appear to be important work tasks, but which actually are

I do that too. As for the OP, I think when he says "unproductive" that he is talking about tasks which appear to be important work tasks, but which actually aren't. Some examples (mine, not his): spending a few hours watching Google IO videos on scaling to a billion users, or a few hours tracking down reporters trying to pitch them your pre-alpha demo. This link has been passed around here heaps, but it's Rich Hickey talking about how that "downtime" like you spoke of is not only part of the problem solving process, but it some cases that it's the most important part! http://blip.tv/clojure/hammock-driven-development-4475586 http://blip.tv/clojure/hammock-driven-development-4475586