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As a developer, I find it hardest to focus when I don't really have anything clear to focus on. On the other hand, if I have clearly specced small tasks that ne

by Geee 12y ago

As a developer, I find it hardest to focus when I don't really have anything clear to focus on. On the other hand, if I have clearly specced small tasks that need to be done, it's quite easy to focus on those, even when there are distractions. If I hit a roadblock or realize I have to re-plan something, that's the moment when I usually lose focus. Also, I'm not good at focusing in the design / planning stage, if the new feature is kind of ambiguous, and I'm not exactly sure about the requirements. I think it'd help a lot if I had some clear strategy about the design process. Sometimes, though, not actively thinking about something let's the brain sort everything out, and the right solution kind of emerges on it's own. Currently I'm working on a task 'design and implement the billing system', so here I am on HN. Edit: I also use https://heyfocus.com/ https://heyfocus.com/ which bounces me back to work, if I 'accidentally' drift off.

erik14th 12y ago
Whenever I start losing focus, I write down the tasks I'm handling at the moment and move them up and down trying to assess priority. I also do that when I stop working so I know where to pick up when I start again. I found out that most of the time when I'm spacing out it's because I can't decide on which small task to do first. When it comes to design/planning, I like to do it away from the computer, with pen and paper, I sketch away what I'm imagining and walk back and forth while trying to figure it out. It's usually not a hard spec, it's just something I look to when I have no idea of what to do.
bsbechtel 12y ago
That's funny, I have the hardest time focusing on a long list of small, simple 'todos' than working on design/planning for projects. I've always assumed everyone else is more or less similar in this regard, even though experience tells me otherwise. It's refreshing to hear someone actually state this.
stronglikedan 12y ago
> Sometimes, though, not actively thinking about something let's the brain sort everything out, and the right solution kind of emerges on it's own. This is the only thing I miss about cigarettes. Myriad solutions came from cigarette breaks. I know that other types of breaks work just as well, but it was just something about that specific type.
- acveilleux 12y ago
  Maybe it was the enforcement mechanism (the chemical need basically) that made sure that sufficient breaks were taken? I notice the smokers at work have 2-3 breaks throughout the day every day while the non-smokers basically don't have any breaks. Maybe because they're worried they'll look like they're slacking off while the smokers don't care, they have a physical need to attend to?

by Geee 12y ago

erik14th 12y ago

Whenever I start losing focus, I write down the tasks I'm handling at the moment and move them up and down trying to assess priority. I also do that when I stop working so I know where to pick up when I start again. I found out that most of the time when I'm spacing out it's because I can't decide on which small task to do first. When it comes to design/planning, I like to do it away from the computer, with pen and paper, I sketch away what I'm imagining and walk back and forth while trying to figure it out. It's usually not a hard spec, it's just something I look to when I have no idea of what to do.

bsbechtel 12y ago

That's funny, I have the hardest time focusing on a long list of small, simple 'todos' than working on design/planning for projects. I've always assumed everyone else is more or less similar in this regard, even though experience tells me otherwise. It's refreshing to hear someone actually state this.

stronglikedan 12y ago

> Sometimes, though, not actively thinking about something let's the brain sort everything out, and the right solution kind of emerges on it's own. This is the only thing I miss about cigarettes. Myriad solutions came from cigarette breaks. I know that other types of breaks work just as well, but it was just something about that specific type.

acveilleux 12y ago
Maybe it was the enforcement mechanism (the chemical need basically) that made sure that sufficient breaks were taken? I notice the smokers at work have 2-3 breaks throughout the day every day while the non-smokers basically don't have any breaks. Maybe because they're worried they'll look like they're slacking off while the smokers don't care, they have a physical need to attend to?