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6 points server_man3000 | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.201s | source

After a few years of sleep deprivation, mix of burn out and stimulants I want to approach this industry (big tech) with some normalcy.

I’m realizing I’m wholly unmotivated and easily distracted. How can I improve this long term? I still love tech and development, but having trouble right now focusing and being productive.

Without describing my lifestyle, habits and schedule, I’m curious what has worked for you from personal experience.

1. cc101 ◴[] No.41911557[source]
We tend to get so buried in what we are doing, it's hard remember what it will feel like when we succeed.

My lack of motivation to start a task seems to be because I have forgotten to day-dream a bit about the future benefits of completing the task i.e. what it would feel like to actually finish the task and to enjoy the benefits.

Gold Panning Example: I really don't want to go panning for gold. The water is cold. It's hard work. It's windy. It's cloudy. I rarely find much anyway...

So, I imagine what it feels like to actually find a 1/4 oz nugget. Wow! What a trip! I did it! I remember what it was like the last time I did it. It was great! Now it's easier to start.

So far I have focused on "starting a task." Not continuing it, nor finishing it. I find that once I have finally begun a task, it took so much effort to start that I am very reluctant to stop.

When I recognized I had two different problems (not one), things seemed quite a bit easier. I just remember what it will be like when I succeed, and once I am going, I remember that it is easier to continue than to quit.

Hope that helps.