All new Registrations are manually reviewed and approved, so a short delay after registration may occur before your account becomes active.
The solution to losing focus as a developer
I've been trying to get back my focus on developing that I used to have, my "being in the zone" so to say, for a while now - and tonight I thought of something, and it worked! I decided to think back to the last time I was really focused on programming, which was in 2005, and looked up the music I listened to back then - this turned out to be stuff like Armin van Buuren. And guess what, I was able to focus like I used to again!
Tl;dr if you're having issues focusing as a developer, try removing all distractions (IRC clients, forum tabs, etc), and play some music from the last time you could really focus on programming and enjoy it - maybe it'll help for you too
Comments
This seems to apply to homework as well.
Changing up music is always good - the Tron soundtrack always gets me into the coding groove.
I use Github Issues religiously to maintain direction on projects - it's just too easy to sidetrack when you are first starting out, or stalling when you've been coding for days. I organize milestones, set deadlines, and try to complete them on time.
Anytime I've been away from a project, or even just having a hard time finding a direction, I usually write integration/unit tests. It feels strange, since I primary develop BDD, but there is always some method that should be tested and I missed somehow, but watching tests pass (and fail ) gives me an idea what to focus on first.
And I had to cut out #lowendtalk - absolute productivity killer.
It's LET here, but just get yourself a pair of Heir Audio 4AI. Does wonders
Close the lowendtalk and reddit tabs in my browser.
Its all in your head.
Sounds like its filled with society rather than development.
development is no harder than breathing. Requires nothing extra.
If it's freelance work... downpayment will bring in focus to work....
Classical Music, Cigarette, Coffee after lots of sleep.
http://www.linux.fm/
Also, the music thing works well for me too. And a good night sleep, focus is back much more after a well rest.
Meditation
http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?joel.3.685608.27
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html
If you want to regain your focus as a developer stay away from the hazy, dazy, crazy, addictive atmosphere of LET/LEB. I did so for a few days and I was very productive.
As you can see on returning by focus and productivity is beginning to slip.
Eliminate distractions of all sorts. Phone, chat, forums, news, etc.
Music can be very powerful, find what works well for your mind and biology.
Yes to 8 hours of sleep (get it if you can).
Avoid stimulants and other short cuts. Ditto for masses of sugar.
I find a good long walk or some bicycling mid day helps to refocus. I try to run errands like that when I can.
Playing Team Fortress 2 will help you gain focus.
I drink lots of cups of tea
focus on the enemy with a sniper rifle eh
+1 for closing any chat/im stuff and, sadly, forums like this one and slashdot
haven't done IM for years because of it and was able to get a sh*tload of productivity back. definitely no twitter, etc.
Also, getting a headset for the phone when coding helps so you can keep typing (in case you have calls you must take)
damn, gotta leave this forum to code ...... later, lol
Yeah, that actually does work, I do it.
physical exercise