10 ms·

Ask HN: what do you do to stay productive?

18 points by bzupnick 15y ago

markkat 15y ago
Don't stop working on things. That's it. It's habit-forming, actually. Just get over the hump.
ignifero 15y ago
Get the habit of starting a new side ("weekend") project every 2-3 weeks.
- proexploit 15y ago
  I've got to recommend exactly the opposite of this, but it may depend on what time of problem you're having with productivity. Do you have many projects and have a hard time motivating to complete them? Force yourself to limit them and finish them before starting something new. Record any new ideas in the meantime in a simple document. Do you have nothing going on and always wish you had a project to work on? It may be a good idea for you to try a variety of different side projects and see what sticks as ignifero suggested.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
hammock 15y ago
Make a new thread and get people to answer for you instead of searching yourself through the 6 billion threads that have already been made on this topic. Then use the time you saved to get some work done.
Zev 15y ago
This is a pretty big question. Do you mean productive throughout a single day, or over a period of time? At work or on hobbies? When working by yourself or with a team? Etc. The answer will be different for every scenario.
chrisbennet 15y ago
Rest: When I'm tired I make mistakes that I later have to undo/redo. Stop thinking about the problem: I take an hour lunch and read hacker news. When I resume coding, I am more likely to see the problem with fresh eyes. I think of that "unproductive" pause as pushing in the clutch to change gears. Work/think at home: In this new world of cube farms it can be hard to get uninterrupted periods to think. That hour and half I work at home before I drive into work at 9:00 is some of my most productive.
staunch 15y ago
Great environment + powerful incentives.
exhnlurker 15y ago
pomodoro technique Work in small chucks with define goals and time periods. For me I would say something like. "Get X done in 15 minutes". Set an alarm for it and at the end of it set another goal. On a sheet of paper or in Evernote, document what you accomplished in this time frame. Before you take a break, take a look notes as to what you actually accomplished and take note of any roadblocks. Often times I find that I do the run into the same wall if I don't analyze and make the necessary adjustments. Remember to take breaks. after a few successful task. 10 or 15 minutes. I generally try to work in 2 or 3 hour chunks of time before taking a break.
latch 15y ago
Good physical and mental health is the most important thing. Eat properly, exercise and sleep well.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
RRiccio 15y ago
Write down to-do itens to do in specific day or period of work. Always carry around your to-do list in your wallet (clear your mind from to-do's). Separate work space from home/personal space. Limit checking email 2-3 times per day. Work in a silent place with no or very few interruptions. "Pomodoro technique" for completing a particular task. Eat properly, stretch often, exercise, sleep. Set approximate time you'll stop working. Set mid/long term goals and have them visible in your workspace.
petervandijck 15y ago
- Have weekly task lists. - Work mostly during my "productive" hours (7am to 2pm) - Always think: what needs to be done urgently and what are the babysteps to do that?
dgeb 15y ago
I've started to take long walks every morning. It clears the mind and removes the restlessness I used to feel from sitting for so long.

18 points by bzupnick 15y ago

markkat 15y ago

Don't stop working on things. That's it. It's habit-forming, actually. Just get over the hump.

ignifero 15y ago

Get the habit of starting a new side ("weekend") project every 2-3 weeks.

proexploit 15y ago
I've got to recommend exactly the opposite of this, but it may depend on what time of problem you're having with productivity. Do you have many projects and have a hard time motivating to complete them? Force yourself to limit them and finish them before starting something new. Record any new ideas in the meantime in a simple document. Do you have nothing going on and always wish you had a project to work on? It may be a good idea for you to try a variety of different side projects and see what sticks as ignifero suggested.

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

hammock 15y ago

Make a new thread and get people to answer for you instead of searching yourself through the 6 billion threads that have already been made on this topic. Then use the time you saved to get some work done.

Zev 15y ago

This is a pretty big question. Do you mean productive throughout a single day, or over a period of time? At work or on hobbies? When working by yourself or with a team? Etc. The answer will be different for every scenario.

chrisbennet 15y ago

Rest: When I'm tired I make mistakes that I later have to undo/redo. Stop thinking about the problem: I take an hour lunch and read hacker news. When I resume coding, I am more likely to see the problem with fresh eyes. I think of that "unproductive" pause as pushing in the clutch to change gears. Work/think at home: In this new world of cube farms it can be hard to get uninterrupted periods to think. That hour and half I work at home before I drive into work at 9:00 is some of my most productive.

staunch 15y ago

Great environment + powerful incentives.

exhnlurker 15y ago

pomodoro technique Work in small chucks with define goals and time periods. For me I would say something like. "Get X done in 15 minutes". Set an alarm for it and at the end of it set another goal. On a sheet of paper or in Evernote, document what you accomplished in this time frame. Before you take a break, take a look notes as to what you actually accomplished and take note of any roadblocks. Often times I find that I do the run into the same wall if I don't analyze and make the necessary adjustments. Remember to take breaks. after a few successful task. 10 or 15 minutes. I generally try to work in 2 or 3 hour chunks of time before taking a break.

latch 15y ago

Good physical and mental health is the most important thing. Eat properly, exercise and sleep well.

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

RRiccio 15y ago

Write down to-do itens to do in specific day or period of work. Always carry around your to-do list in your wallet (clear your mind from to-do's). Separate work space from home/personal space. Limit checking email 2-3 times per day. Work in a silent place with no or very few interruptions. "Pomodoro technique" for completing a particular task. Eat properly, stretch often, exercise, sleep. Set approximate time you'll stop working. Set mid/long term goals and have them visible in your workspace.

petervandijck 15y ago

- Have weekly task lists. - Work mostly during my "productive" hours (7am to 2pm) - Always think: what needs to be done urgently and what are the babysteps to do that?

dgeb 15y ago

I've started to take long walks every morning. It clears the mind and removes the restlessness I used to feel from sitting for so long.