I have a problem of inefficiently over-working. I don't get enough done during the day, so I then pressure myself to keep working to "get something done". Anybody have a coping mechanism for that?
When I was in the office I would try to "work hard until lunch", then break, then "work hard until 5", and then go to an after-work class, so I was forced into time boxes. That hasn't worked out so well remotely.
Being remote makes it 100x harder to block out time to work. Obviously everyone is different, but here’s what helps me:
- make a to-do list on paper and keeping it visible
- set phone in a different room or have it run out of battery so you won’t be distracted (assuming you don’t need it)
- set a timer and try to complete x amount of tasks before it ends
Crossing tasks off on paper is more rewarding than on an app. If you find yourself unable to start a task, restart the timer and pick a different one - It’s better to get something done.
Also, remember that it may be better to get sleep than to stay up all night catching up. No point in doing all of that if you’ll be unable to work effectively the next day.
YMMV but I’ve always found it easier to start work early, like 7am (where others roll in at 9:30). I found nobody really bothered me until stand up at 10:30, which was a decent chunk of time.
second this. Time without other people's stuff in your stuff is invaluable.
I would add that pomodoros can be really good for tracking how much you've gotten done, and then being able to walk away after a certain amount of time has been spent being productive.
You may be getting more done than you realize - one of the factors of add is that once a task is complete, it flies the cognitive coop. I have this problem in spades.
Also, it may be helpful to realize that if you're working on code, some of the work is finding the solution. Even if you don't have a scrap of working code to show for it, having done some work to find out what doesn't work or just reading documentation is productive work.
Beware that imposter syndrome, it's a real doozie.
Work more by working less, work faster by slowing down. You end up neglecting important things that help you work faster and better by trying to make up for not having gotten enough done or well enough, etc. Don’t skip preparation steps that help you get things done better and remove frustrations. Recognize when you’re “done” being productive for the day and just accept it.
Learn how rushing and working too long are counterproductive and think about things that are impediments to getting stuff done and try to make them better.
Don’t have adhd that I know of but always find myself strangely relating to descriptions of it.
The timeboxes you describe have worked best for me. I put them on my calendar and have the computer go “ping” when it’s time. And there’s always a workout scheduled after work that forces me to stop.
Seems to work well if not better remotely because there’s fewer external distractions to disrupt my timeboxes.
The problem with working late is that it just steals energy from tomorrow. Best to say “Fuck it didn’t get anything done today” and try again.
For me, ADHD is a lot about procrastination, which is basically fear of uncomfortable work forcing me to do something else. I will reflexively open a new tab on my browser and auto-complete some distracting website (hello, HN!) 20 times a day. I have about a billion half-finished projects lying around the house. I finally finished some gifts for a friend recently after fiddling with them for over 2 years.
When I was in the office I would try to "work hard until lunch", then break, then "work hard until 5", and then go to an after-work class, so I was forced into time boxes. That hasn't worked out so well remotely.