Ask HN: I get bored while programming? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: I get bored while programming?

5 pointsyuashizuki11 comments

I get bored while programming, do u guys know how can one program for long hours non stop. I program for like 30min and then my mind starts to wander. How to resolve this issue, do u guys face the same issues. Basicaly in other words how to focus constantly for hours.

View on HN

The easiest way to train yourself is to define strict boundaries for what you will achieve during a defined period of time.

If you have trouble focusing, the worst thing you can do is leave your attempts completely open-ended and vague. Define precisely what you want to achieve in an hour, and then give yourself an hour to do it.

If you don't get it done in an hour, stop and take a break, then give yourself another hour to finish it and start the next thing. Work in well defined blocks of time - the point is not to get good at 'doing lots of things within an hour', but 'sitting down and working straight for an hour'. Once this isn't a struggle for you, bump it up to an hour and a half, then two hours etc. Don't avoid breaks - your brain will continue to work problems out while you're off making a cup of tea or getting some air.

If you need practice, then you need something to practice towards. Give yourself boundaries.

Having interesting work is definitely a plus when you're excited about completing something time usually flies by.

The Pomodoro technique might be something for you to try.

Basically choose a goal/task work only on that for 25 minutes then take a 5 minute break (play a round of a game you like, browse the news, etc) the get back on your task or move to the next task if you complete the first one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

Sometimes when I'm in a groove I just keep going, but if it's a boring tedious task it's nice to break for 5 minutes.

There is a cool OSX app that shows a countdown at the top bar and that's good incentive to keep at it and try to knock out tasks in 25 minutes.

Soon you'll be estimating in pomadoros (30 mins).

Good luck staying focused.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

If you get bored in 30 min, programming may not be a natural fit for you.

I get restless about 4-6 hour mark, but I am great for the first three hours.

One trick that does help when I am really tired is to play music. I use classical (or no words) music if I am having a hard time focusing. It helps me more than other kinds of music and I do listen to everything at different times, but classical really keeps me focused!

Hope that helps

I am of the notion that, to some degree, the brain can be trained to focus.

You could try cycling work/play with MagicWorkCycle (google it) and work up from 10/5 to 25/5, which is standard pomodoro.

Then maybe coding isn't for you? You need passion to code, but if you get bored in half an hour i doubt you have it

You don't need passion if it's just a job. It might be boring, but most jobs are boring.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com