When you're too distracted to code...

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RobertPaul
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When you're too distracted to code...

Post by RobertPaul »

What do you do when you're too distracted/unmotivated to code? When you know what needs done ... and you know how to do it ... you just don't feel like going through the motions?

I sat down to bang out some code a little while ago. Cued up a couple hours of music, grabbed a good drink, and got comfortable. Got about 20 minutes into it and now I don't feel like doing it. I tried walking around (if it weren't dark and winter, I'd go for a "long" walk ... that usually does the trick). But ... nothing.

So in the interest of giving me something to read whilst I procrastinate ... what do you do when you're unmotivated?
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hawleyjr
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Post by hawleyjr »

Watch a movie mayhaps the Matrix :P
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m3mn0n
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Post by m3mn0n »

Tell myself to stop being lazy and keep my eye on the prize. Works well if that happens... especially when very sleepy.

It all depends on will power.
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Bill H
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Post by Bill H »

I'm 62 and have Parkinson's Disease, emphysema and cardiac arrythmia so my options are limited.
I usually read a book, or crank up a fps on my computer.
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Chris Corbyn
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Post by Chris Corbyn »

Watch p0rn 8O
timvw
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Post by timvw »

Yeah, but after that porn i want to go to sleep.. But when i wake up a couple of hours later... I'm really motivated ;)
Don't see this pattern happening at office space though :(
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neophyte
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Post by neophyte »

Play video games, read non-technical literature. Gotta take breaks!
Deemo
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Post by Deemo »

I go to the bathroom

I have solved more problems in my code on the toilet than sitting at my computer looking at code. Its amazing how your mind works when you dont have the code in front of you
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Jenk
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Post by Jenk »

make a thread on DN asking what to do when I have a coding block. 8O
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Post by pilau »

Jenk wrote:make a thread on DN asking what to do when I have a coding block. 8O
:lol:


It really all depends on will power. I just sometimes tell myself to stop being lazy, and when I get down and sit I just start to code.. If it gets boring at some point I just take a break and go to other things, any thing possible.
timvw
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Post by timvw »

Just make sure that you've got enough (diverse) tasks to complete... That way you can easily switch :)
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Maugrim_The_Reaper
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Post by Maugrim_The_Reaper »

That last suggestion works for me - I keep a few tasks handy and switch from one to the other if things are going downhill. I also find a little music while coding does no harm...:)
Gambler
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Post by Gambler »

What do you do when you're too distracted/unmotivated to code?
Sleep. Could be very helpful sometimes.
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Zoram
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Post by Zoram »

I've been having that trouble a lot lately... i get done with a section and code and just don't want to start another... That the hardes part... to actually start coding. Once i get started usually i go until i have to do something else or until i get done with the task... they it repeats again.
josh
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Post by josh »

Play with the beta application and mark it in my time log as "usability testing"
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