How to focus?
Can't keep attention span on something longer than half a day (an hour or two if I really need to sit and drill down) until get bored with it. Work is ok since usually have isolated short tasks when coding, but can't seem to decently learn any one single topic. LC, MOOCs, books, etc all get started and dropped 10-20% of the way in, in favor of the next shiny new concept 🤦♂️ I do better when I feel like I'm obligated to do something, but haven't been able to psych myself out that way consistently. Doesn't seem healthy anyway because end up stressing myself out a lot... So Blind, any tips on staying focused? TC 130 bay area Company tags because you guys have a rep for being able to execute, and would love to learn from you
1. How is your sleep? (This can make a ton of difference) 2. Otherwise, have you evaluated yourself for ADHD symptoms? If those things are not issues, then it just sounds like a tactical issue. But wanted to triage just in case.
Sleep varies. I'll keep an eye on if it correlates, thanks. Doubt it's ADHD, I know people who've been diagnosed and they have a much harder time at life without their meds. Like an attention span of 10 minutes and extreme distraction by any side noises, neither of which (thankfully) affect me. I'll look more into it though
Adderall
Workout can help improve focus time
Only really works for me when that "need to do" stress is hovering. Ups motivation vs the baseline in that state for a short period right after. I have coworkers who swear by this though, so know it works for many. Thanks
Rather than change you, adapt to your style and use your strengths.
What are the strengths in my style for learning? Right now it feels like it might be good for is being a salesman who only ever talks to people who don't know their stuff, or for teaching mad science to kids. Neither of which is an aspiration
Do an hour of work. If you do what you set out to do, reward yourself (watch some Netlfix, or eat something you like). Of you don't do what you set out to do, punish yourself with 50 push-ups or squats.
Oddly, haven't actually tried scheduling. Will do, thanks
Give yourself purpose before starting something. Time is more valuable than money and there is a finite amount of it. Use that as a driver. So ask yourself what you really want to achieve in life and then work backwards to see if what you want to learn will help with your goal. You’ll have a higher chance of sticking with your activity if there is a personal payout. The most important part is knowing you didn’t waste any time on useless knowledge — extra motivation. Every time you switch just ask yourself why and if it’s worth forfeiting all that time you put in, that you can’t get back, on a new activity. Sometimes the answer is: “yes” because after going a little deeper on something you may notice that the knowledge you gained won’t help you. But ask yourself the question regardless. Be tough on yourself in answering that question to avoid making the same mistake again and losing more time.
Ops mentality outside of work. Will try, thanks
WTH, I couldn’t even focus long enough to read OP entire post.
Don’t eat after 5pm. Read about intermittent diet. Not eating at night improved my life drastically. Also stop drinking coffee. It gives you illusion you focus better but what you did during caffeinated tends to be worse as it is byproduct of short boosted attention. Long term focus and deep thinking doesn’t seem working well with caffeine not to mention it harms your digestive system.
Do meditation sessions. Doing nothing is hard. Teach your brain to not go for easy dopamine.
If you have to, schedule time for it. Start with 1 hour blocks. Then get up, get some fresh air and then move on to the next thing. With practice, it'll get easier to stick with and you can schedule longer blocks.
Will try, thanks