Here is how I answered this question on May 15, 2008, (and several times since) here on Hacker News. Not much has changed because this strategy has always been

Here is how I answered this question on May 15, 2008, (and several times since) here on Hacker News. Not much has changed because this strategy has always been "old faithful" to me: * * * * * The single most important thing I do to "achieve laser focus and concentration" is to work in such a way that I don't need "laser focus and concentration" to get my work done. This has to be done the night before. I always quit all online work at least 2 hours before bedtime and print whatever I'm working on. Then I go into any other room with program listings, blank paper, and pens (especially red!) and plan out all of tomorrow's work. All analysis, design, and refactoring must be done at this time. I do not allow myself to sleep until the next day's work is laid out. I also do not allow myself to get back onto the computer. The idea is to have a clear "vision" of what I am going to accomplish the next day. The clearer the better. This does 2 things. First, I think about it all night (maybe even dream about it). Second, I can't wait to get started the next day. I always wake up and start programming immediately. Once I get going, it's easy to keep going. Any difficulties are probably because I didn't plan well enough the night before. Not sure if that's the answer you're looking for, but whatever gets the work done... * * * * * Original thread: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=191199 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=191199 Also #49 here: http://v25media.s3.amazonaws.com/edw519_mod.pdf http://v25media.s3.amazonaws.com/edw519_mod.pdf