Thread

Hi guys,

I have a question to which I haven’t been able to find an answer, no matter how I googled.

You know, I never understand how people can work 6-10 hours a day, and I’m not even getting to how some people program 14 hours a day. If I program two hours a day, my brain locks up and then I have trouble coming back to the project again. Is it only me? And, is there some way you recommend that might get me more into programming in a standard way? I’m guessing if I am working as a freelance developer, I’d need at least six hours of daily work to have enough to eat at the end of the month?

Thanks!

I guess maybe you aren’t made for this type of work. If I’m what’s generally called ‘in the zone’ I can go on coding streaks of 10-12 hours in a row without even noticing it. I think you will find most programmers have similar experiences.

Sounds familiar. “Chips, why is it dark outside all of a sudden?”...  :lol:

I have recently stumbled on these two links which may prove helpful:

http://keepfocused.codeplex.com/documentation

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/10-tips-for-re-energizing-your-day-every-day-matthew-e-may
 
 
 

Thanks, that really helped. now I know there is still hope for me in programming. 😊

As for Pomodoro, I was using “Cherry Tomato” up to now, but this is good too!

Getting paid for it helps.

I guess maybe you aren’t made for this type of work. If I’m what’s generally called ‘in the zone’ I can go on coding streaks of 10-12 hours in a row without even noticing it. I think you will find most programmers have similar experiences.

This.

Also, lots of coffee and lots of music. Being able to put the phone on silent helps.

Some time, if u n-joy u’r work then time can’t stop you & some times… it’s the need which will help u stick with the job… 😉

As long as you’re coding something interesting and not mind-numbing…. Sometimes it’s not the profession that’s the culprit, it’s the immediate job.

Leo

Oh yeah, been there 😊. Its all about passion and drive, if you do not have these for whatever you are doing then odds are, it’s not for you.

I have programmed for over 24 hours, thanks to coke, bawls and pizza.

6-10? You lucky bastard.

It probably pains you to write code because you’re not yet comfortable with what you are doing. Just like your native language which you speak, if you become fluent, then it won’t take so much effort to do. If I’m wrong, and you do feel comfortable with writing code, then you just need more hours of experience. That said, I think there are times when I’m not in the mood to work for 1 second, but some days I have worked for 18 hours. There are some variables, such as your family life, health, your desire to do something else, etc.

How can you get away with only programming 6-10 hours a day?

I have so many opportunities for side contracts and then extra hours on any given primary contract that I just wish there were more hours in the day.  I have given up sleeping to some degree but its not enough.  I still turn down a few start-ups that I wouldn’t mind owning stock in.  I am on track to retire right before I turn 36 (in 4 years).  All of the contracts where I worked for a % of the company are paying off.  That carrot of retiring very early is keeping me running hard.  I just hope that the government keeps the facade up until I can cash out.  Knowing my luck we will see a true systemic financial collapse right as I go to retire.  “Oh sorry money is no longer money… you need Dr. Seuss bucks to buy things now”

Last summer I was bored and decided to clone a website for the fun of it. I knew exactly what all had to happen and I didnt have to brain storm with other people because it was pretty straight forward. I would code an easy 14 hours a day, did that for about 4 days straight. I knew exactly what I wanted to do any how to do it so all I had to do was type.

I’m pretty sure I lost about 5 lb during those 4 days, was so busy coding I forgot I was hungry 😛

Damn, it would be nice to code 6-10 hours per day straight 😊 I usually just cant because theres so much more I have to do besides programming as we have small firm and everybody has to do everything(helpdesk, answering phone etc.). Ofcourse theres some days when I can concentrate fully to programming and those days I enjoy the most. It also depends on a project you are working on. If its non-inspiring robot coding, atleast I have to take some breaks(smoking cigarette every hour or so).

Also setting “mini-goals” is my way of doing things. Break the project into smaller pieces. Complete a piece and take a 5-10 minute break, continue, complete next goal, take a break and so on..

But thank god nowdays we have LCD monitors. Back in the day with crappy monitors they really strained your eyes and one time my eyes were so sore that I got a doctors order not to watch monitor for 3 days 😊