Where do you get motivation?
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
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Motivation is a state of mind. Typically if I'm having a difficult time concentrating on a development task, I'll get a hot cup of coffee, crank up my tunes and dig in ... If that doesn't work, doing something physical, non-computer related almost always helps (e.g., work-out, go for walk, walk stairs, etc...)
:..::. Douglas H. Troy ::..
Bad Astronomy |VCF|wxWidgets|WTLI could use some exercise... I'll have a walk, have to mail something anyway (another thing I like to procrastinate). I should probably break the thing down in tiny parts like ToddHileHoffer suggests. Each of these tiny parts is not really hard, but when starting it's always hard to get an overview and pick a starting point. I need some pills! ;P It's not forbidden in our sports is it? :laugh:
Wout
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I'm still trying to find that ideal formula myself. What really gets me though is when I spend an enourmous amount of time on a project, only to end up back to square one. Now that is a real de-motivator.
I Dream of Absolute Zero
I'll pretend I didn't read this one. ;P
Wout
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There aren'e any real tricks. Just start. Waiting for some magical moment of inspiration to begin won't get you anywhere. Dig in and start working. Parts of the project may just wash over you at first, but you'll soon grasp onto something and start thinking about your new goals and productivity will soon follow. Just realize that any effort you put into it now, however small the results are, will save you from doing it later, when time will really be short.
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightHmmm, yes, good point! I'm trying to reason logically like that as well, but where's the resistance coming from? I guess I have the tendency to try and think the whole thing through first and then start working it out as soons as I think I figured everything out. Probably that's not the most productive way of working. Indeed I just need to get started, and I'll just gather insights on the way. Thanks!
Wout
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
Start writing code. Top-down / bottom-up / easter-egg... doesn't matter. Just tell yourself ahead of time that you're gonna be throwing away all the code you write in the first two hours, and get started. Chances are, by the time i've hit the two hour mark, i'll have a really good idea of how i want to actually implement the thing, and can go back and start it for real. Sometimes, there's the added bonus of having actually written something salvageable in that time...
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Motivation is a state of mind. Typically if I'm having a difficult time concentrating on a development task, I'll get a hot cup of coffee, crank up my tunes and dig in ... If that doesn't work, doing something physical, non-computer related almost always helps (e.g., work-out, go for walk, walk stairs, etc...)
:..::. Douglas H. Troy ::..
Bad Astronomy |VCF|wxWidgets|WTLDouglas Troy wrote:
I'll get a hot cup of coffee, crank up my tunes and dig in ...
Yeah, I agree with this 100%. However, I quit drinking coffee (actually all caffeinated beverages) about 6 months ago, so I'll trade the coffee for a bottle of water instead. Also, about 3 months ago, a new "rule" was implemented that forbid me to listen to music at work. Apparently, I look "unnaproachable" when I have my headphones on and I don't participate in "group discussions" enough. Needless to say my productivity has crashed, almost reaching absolute zero in the last 3 months - but I'm fully abreast on all the office gossip. :sigh: I'm breaking the rules today (DJ Doboy[^] rocks!), and so far I've done more work in 4 hours than I did all last week.
The StartPage Randomizer | The Timelapse Project | A Random Web Page
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
As my friend says, "Waiting until the last minute has the advantage that you only have to spend a minute working on it." :)
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As my friend says, "Waiting until the last minute has the advantage that you only have to spend a minute working on it." :)
:laugh: Thanks for the tip, you really saved me there! I can't wait to see how my app will have turned out!
Wout
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Hmmm, yes, good point! I'm trying to reason logically like that as well, but where's the resistance coming from? I guess I have the tendency to try and think the whole thing through first and then start working it out as soons as I think I figured everything out. Probably that's not the most productive way of working. Indeed I just need to get started, and I'll just gather insights on the way. Thanks!
Wout
wout de zeeuw wrote:
Probably that's not the most productive way of working.
You're right, it isn't. I used to put off projects until I had a full grasp of all aspects, and I got little accomplished. I still find myself getting into that way of working, but catch myself and just start working. As far as where the resistance comes from, for me it's partially a fear of doing things the wrong way and looking or feeling like an idiot. Now I just realize I feel more foolish if I sit around not trying. good luck!
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
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wout de zeeuw wrote:
Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
No, nor can I tell you how to fall in love in 42 seconds. When I have to start working on something that I don't feel like working on, I try to use some new technique or cool class, etc., in the project so that I'll find it more interesting. Learning inspires me, so I try to learn from every project I work on.
:josh: My WPF Blog[^]
Josh Smith wrote:
use some new technique
Yep learning something new definitely adds to the appeal. And where does learning start? Well Codeproject of course? And where does a visit to Codeproject end up? Well in the Lounge of course!! :sigh:
"Nothing ever changes by staying the same." - David Brent (BBC's The Office)
~ ScrollingGrid: A cross-browser freeze-header control for the ASP.NET DataGrid
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If it is motivation you seek, you need only to obtain a few gallons of caffeine. I could fuel my development for days with enough caffeine :)
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Err or you could imagine the threat of impending doom if you lose your job and are unable to buy caffeine. :/
I more a tea kind of type, especially green teas... and aaah, I still got that red wine waiting for me here! I think I'm really getting somewhere now! :-O
Wout
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
The paycheck. If you don't do the work, you don't get paid. Which is why most my personal projects just eventually die out.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
I usually relax a little (like you doing tank ball) and then I force myself to look through what is needed for the next project, find one small nugget of "fun" in it, and start there. But then again, I have a warped sence of fun. Of course, if the place I work for finds out I'm doing the "process" out of order, I get a lecture that sucks all motivation from me...so I go home early.
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
wout de zeeuw wrote:
I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started.
Google "Writer's Block" the same thing applies. If you wait for inspiration, you'll be playing games all year. Make inspiration by applying techniques you know will interest you (like always doing something "new" even in a traditional app). Brainstorm, mindmap, something, anything to get yourself back involved.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started. Usually a context switch does take its time for me, but there isn't much room for that right now. Last Saturday I decided to relax a bit and played tank ball[^] all day, in hopes of being refreshed afterwards. Unfortunately it only put my brain in a zombie state X| . Also it was terribly addictive, so I better stay far from that! Anybody got any tricks to get inspired really fast?
Wout
Hmmm... tough question. I also have this issue every now and then. The best solution is to take a month off and travel the world. ;) OK not normally a viable option for most of us. So failing that, buying a new toy of some description can often help; be it a new digital camera, new watch, booking a holiday etc etc. Or if you do this only *after* you've reached an interim goal you might be motivated to get stuck in.
"Nothing ever changes by staying the same." - David Brent (BBC's The Office)
~ ScrollingGrid: A cross-browser freeze-header control for the ASP.NET DataGrid
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The paycheck. If you don't do the work, you don't get paid. Which is why most my personal projects just eventually die out.
Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke
Makes me think of NDoc. :(( And yes, while this single project isn't that critical, if I don't do this one properly, I can forget about the future ones as well.
Wout
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wout de zeeuw wrote:
I finished last project last week, and am supposed to get the next done really quick, but I have problems getting started.
Google "Writer's Block" the same thing applies. If you wait for inspiration, you'll be playing games all year. Make inspiration by applying techniques you know will interest you (like always doing something "new" even in a traditional app). Brainstorm, mindmap, something, anything to get yourself back involved.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:
Brainstorm, mindmap, something, anything to get yourself back involved.
I find roughly mapping out the project is immensely helpful in getting a good understanding of it. Even something as a list of questions I need to answer before I begin gets me focused. Writing things on paper helps solidify the ideas in my head and I can really dig into the details after that.
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
I'll pretend I didn't read this one. ;P
Wout