5 ms·

> "if you work with computers it's nearly impossible to have your brain wired in productive tasks for more than, on average, 4 hours a day" :-) Definitely trut

by ff_ 12y ago

> "if you work with computers it's nearly impossible to have your brain wired in productive tasks for more than, on average, 4 hours a day" :-) Definitely truth. IMHO the real problem of our productivity is The Internet.

hebleb 12y ago
I don't know...it's also the solution to productivity. I would waste so much time trying figuring things out without the help of Google, Stack Overflow, API documentation, etc..
- ff_ 12y ago
  Yeah, without them I'd surely be in trouble; but the temptation of opening HN/Reddit every N minutes (and consequently spend two hours looking all those infinitely interesting entries) it's just too strong.
avoutthere 12y ago
Self-discipline is, no doubt, a real challenge for many developers.
- grimtrigger 12y ago
  I find this to be pretty helpful: http://selfcontrolapp.com/ http://selfcontrolapp.com/
diminoten 12y ago
I just find these kinds of statements to be more self-justification than anything else. "No one should ever work more than 40 hours a week!" "Productivity beyond 4 hours a day is impossible!" Why must I shackle myself to these seemingly arbitrary limitations that other people have? If I'm having fun coding something for 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, and I feel I can sustain this output, why do I have to limit myself? Maybe I (or someone who's able to do this) can just work harder than you (or someone who can't do this). What's the big deal?
- Swizec 12y ago
  As someone who's been there done that: throttling yourself a little bit is a lot more productive in the long-term. I used to work to the point of exhaustion. Now I work to a clock I've come up with empirically. This means that instead of having bursts of super productivity followed by weeks/months of tiredness or simple "Meh, that's not interesting" I can trod along, putting one foot in front of the next, with a consistent pace. Day in, day out. You might outsprint me today, but I will be there when you're tired, and I will be walking at the same pace I am now. I am an orc. I do not stop. I do not tire. I just go. Forever. At a constant pace. I will outplod you. Persistence is humanity greatest natural asset next to intelligence. Use it. We are very bad sprinters.
  - ff_ 12y ago
    Gimme one more upvote button, this is a GREAT thought. It's definitely my way of thinking, since today has worked well, and I'm glad that someone applies it harder than me.
  - noahl 12y ago
    I am an orc. I do not stop. I do not tire. On a side note, you're probably thinking of the Uruk-hai, not the orcs. When the Uruk-hai have captured Merry and Pippin and are running towards Isengard, they boast that they can run both day and night - unlike orcs, who would prefer to hide during the day and move only at night.
  - sitkack 12y ago
    I find the best way to accomplish this is a more scientific task breakdown. When a road block is encountered that would normally disrupt flow I stand back and analyze the subproblem with new desired outcomes. The most time consuming and frustrating problems usually have some element of psychological aversion. Like involving a language, tool or subject matter that I either dislike or don't feel confident in solving. Break down the reasons for the aversion and jump right in! Just last week I had an issue that I realized could be solved with some judicious GDB. I spent 3 hours just learning the tool, solved my problem and checked off a mental handicap. Don't require "successful outcomes" all the time, slowly and methodically enjoy the journey and keep on eye on forward progress but don't demand it.

by ff_ 12y ago

hebleb 12y ago

I don't know...it's also the solution to productivity. I would waste so much time trying figuring things out without the help of Google, Stack Overflow, API documentation, etc..

ff_ 12y ago
Yeah, without them I'd surely be in trouble; but the temptation of opening HN/Reddit every N minutes (and consequently spend two hours looking all those infinitely interesting entries) it's just too strong.

avoutthere 12y ago

Self-discipline is, no doubt, a real challenge for many developers.

grimtrigger 12y ago
I find this to be pretty helpful: http://selfcontrolapp.com/ http://selfcontrolapp.com/

diminoten 12y ago

I just find these kinds of statements to be more self-justification than anything else. "No one should ever work more than 40 hours a week!" "Productivity beyond 4 hours a day is impossible!" Why must I shackle myself to these seemingly arbitrary limitations that other people have? If I'm having fun coding something for 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, and I feel I can sustain this output, why do I have to limit myself? Maybe I (or someone who's able to do this) can just work harder than you (or someone who can't do this). What's the big deal?

Swizec 12y ago
As someone who's been there done that: throttling yourself a little bit is a lot more productive in the long-term. I used to work to the point of exhaustion. Now I work to a clock I've come up with empirically. This means that instead of having bursts of super productivity followed by weeks/months of tiredness or simple "Meh, that's not interesting" I can trod along, putting one foot in front of the next, with a consistent pace. Day in, day out. You might outsprint me today, but I will be there when you're tired, and I will be walking at the same pace I am now. I am an orc. I do not stop. I do not tire. I just go. Forever. At a constant pace. I will outplod you. Persistence is humanity greatest natural asset next to intelligence. Use it. We are very bad sprinters.
- ff_ 12y ago
  Gimme one more upvote button, this is a GREAT thought. It's definitely my way of thinking, since today has worked well, and I'm glad that someone applies it harder than me.
- noahl 12y ago
  I am an orc. I do not stop. I do not tire. On a side note, you're probably thinking of the Uruk-hai, not the orcs. When the Uruk-hai have captured Merry and Pippin and are running towards Isengard, they boast that they can run both day and night - unlike orcs, who would prefer to hide during the day and move only at night.
- sitkack 12y ago
  I find the best way to accomplish this is a more scientific task breakdown. When a road block is encountered that would normally disrupt flow I stand back and analyze the subproblem with new desired outcomes. The most time consuming and frustrating problems usually have some element of psychological aversion. Like involving a language, tool or subject matter that I either dislike or don't feel confident in solving. Break down the reasons for the aversion and jump right in! Just last week I had an issue that I realized could be solved with some judicious GDB. I spent 3 hours just learning the tool, solved my problem and checked off a mental handicap. Don't require "successful outcomes" all the time, slowly and methodically enjoy the journey and keep on eye on forward progress but don't demand it.