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The problem isn't that programming is boring, the problem is that you can't focus unless the task is interesting. Not being able to focus for more than 30 minut

by Klockan 12y ago

The problem isn't that programming is boring, the problem is that you can't focus unless the task is interesting. Not being able to focus for more than 30 minutes as an adult is abnormal. But programming is mostly boring and tedious, there is no way to get around that. I used to have the same problem but I have been fine since I started taking ritalin. Before I could do around 10 hours in a good week but now I can easily do 60 in similar circumstances. Could be an alternative if you are open to it. You would need a diagnosis though.

yuashizuki 12y ago
I absolutely agree with you, but its not that I cant focus at all, there are things where I can focus and use a lot of my brain power, like for me it is playing chess online. It is definately more intense than programing hence maybe my mind likes it. Do I still need treatment?
- Klockan 12y ago
  The problem isn't that you can't focus at all, the problem is that you can't focus on things that aren't exciting, chess is way more exciting than most programming tasks. Everyone can focus on exciting things, but normally you can also focus on things you deem important even if they aren't exciting. A workaround could be to try competitive programming, I bet that you could focus better there. It isn't really a solution to your problem but maybe it could help you build some skills to make those 30 minutes really count. It might not seem like a lot but 30 minutes goes very far if you have spent a few hours pondering about it before you start.
dkvochkin 12y ago
Could you tell a little bit more about ritalin? I mean there are a lot of side effects, which might be not worth it. I also have a lot of trouble to focus, on stuff that are not interesting, for longer than 30min, and although i have not been diagnosed with TDAH, i have been thinking about trying out some meds.
- Klockan 12y ago
  The main points of it is that it increases arousal so it is much easier to focus on what is important right now (fight or flight state, you don't zone out if there is an angry bear in front of you). The side effects comes from the increased arousal as well, for me it means my heart rate increased from 60 bpm to 80, I sleep 1 hour less per night and it is easier to miss meals so I have lost some weight. I have tried several other forms of psychoactive medications before and this have the least negatives and most positives so far.

by Klockan 12y ago

yuashizuki 12y ago

I absolutely agree with you, but its not that I cant focus at all, there are things where I can focus and use a lot of my brain power, like for me it is playing chess online. It is definately more intense than programing hence maybe my mind likes it. Do I still need treatment?

Klockan 12y ago
The problem isn't that you can't focus at all, the problem is that you can't focus on things that aren't exciting, chess is way more exciting than most programming tasks. Everyone can focus on exciting things, but normally you can also focus on things you deem important even if they aren't exciting. A workaround could be to try competitive programming, I bet that you could focus better there. It isn't really a solution to your problem but maybe it could help you build some skills to make those 30 minutes really count. It might not seem like a lot but 30 minutes goes very far if you have spent a few hours pondering about it before you start.

dkvochkin 12y ago

Could you tell a little bit more about ritalin? I mean there are a lot of side effects, which might be not worth it. I also have a lot of trouble to focus, on stuff that are not interesting, for longer than 30min, and although i have not been diagnosed with TDAH, i have been thinking about trying out some meds.

Klockan 12y ago
The main points of it is that it increases arousal so it is much easier to focus on what is important right now (fight or flight state, you don't zone out if there is an angry bear in front of you). The side effects comes from the increased arousal as well, for me it means my heart rate increased from 60 bpm to 80, I sleep 1 hour less per night and it is easier to miss meals so I have lost some weight. I have tried several other forms of psychoactive medications before and this have the least negatives and most positives so far.