Joe Blog's A Day In The Life Of Your Average Joe

1. 

   Liam Dawe
   February 19th, 2010 - 01:10

   I get like that all the time with my php project, everyone gets it buddy, all i can say is take a simply day or two off of it completely and come back with a fresh mind.
2. 

   Daniel
   February 19th, 2010 - 01:45

   I get the same feeling every now and then. Something previously exciting is boring for awhile.

   I generally just work on something else for a while, or another facet of the same project.
3. 

   Joe
   February 19th, 2010 - 01:48

   Thanks both

   I usually do work on something else, the only downside is that sometimes I want to work on something that I have no motivation for…very confusing.

   Also – the thing I lack motivation for right now has a deadline of Feb 20th
4. 

   Tobias Quinn
   February 19th, 2010 - 02:06

   Yeah, know what you mean but, it’s a recession situation, any code you write will help….. Unemployed, starting new company – have computer can write code 20Mb line also helps
5. 

   twelve dogs
   February 19th, 2010 - 06:02

   if you really want to get something done just say to yourself, “ok, i’ll just do 5 minutes” and get it started, i find if i can just get past that i’ll often be in the zone and be able to code for quite a while, other times not, but it seems to work more often than not
6. 

   MASUREL Francois
   February 19th, 2010 - 06:58

   Yep, I understand what you mean, it happens to me from time to time and it’s quite frustrating for sure. You feel like loosing precious time.
7. 

   nnonix
   February 19th, 2010 - 07:49

   You might want to evaluate your sleep habits. I used to defend my nocturnal tendencies but after years of having the exact problem you describe I went on vacation and discovered something very interesting. I need to go to bed at close to the same time most nights of the week.

   It appears that if I go to bed regularly I am very capable of “coding all night” here and there without causing a problem. If my schedule varies too much I fall into a slump. The catch is that it takes a week or two of good sleep to straighten yourself out and only about half of that to screw yourself up.

   I mentioned my new realization to a former co-worker & friend who had often complained about his “lack of motivation” for years. He gave himself a regular bed time and a few weeks later he was back to his “old self” (his words, not mine).

   I’d like to point out that I’m well into my thirties but my friend is in his mid-twenties. Also, you’ll find that while you go to bed at the same time you’ll wake up at different times. This doesn’t seem to be a problem and now I get some of my best work done before others wake up.
8. 

   Dario
   February 19th, 2010 - 15:17

   yeah, same here: this very night i was awake to work(and now it’s 16:00 and i haven’t slept yet)… and very often i feel quite apathic…

   however it’s not complete apathy… it’s more like:

   -i have to work on this java, that i’ve planned to make it work for the day after tomorrow… screw it: i’ll study python for a local lug project
   -i have to deliver my thesis next week and it’s my priority #1… but this bug in this java code it’s too tempting to restrain from fixing it
   …. and so on
9. 

   Anonymous
   February 19th, 2010 - 20:42

   Sounds like depression:

   “Depression symptoms include:
   …
   * Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
   …
   * Insomnia or excessive sleeping”

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=symptoms
   http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression
10. 

    Coward
    February 21st, 2010 - 07:18

    I wished I could google that kind of question, but I find that it takes considerable introspection just to make a sensible guess as to what can cause this.

    As for myself, I learned to turn off the computer and picked up other hobbies, no matter whether or not I could afford it. I believe there can be something relatively alienating about coding. I even get mad at coders who want to be great programmers when the emotional balance isn’t there. You may not want to get to that point.
11. 

    Chrissi
    March 8th, 2010 - 12:05

    I also agree with nnonix that you should have a change in your sleeping habits. I also have the same problem from time to time. Nevertheless I think that you have to clear your brain and sleeping really helps to get motivation back, in my opinion. Or you do something completeley different from your work just to clear your thoughts as well…..wish you all the best
12. 

    Laura
    July 9th, 2010 - 19:14

    I’m suffering the same lack of ambition as you, which is what brought me to your blog. I was so frustrated I just typed “lack of motivation” on the Google search and it led me here. For years work was my closest friend it made me worthy to have a relaxing afternoon. I would reward myself with finishing a task then break would be relaxing rather than planning what I should be doing. Lately, tho’ not so much. I’m up to here with Politics and the things around me, and I’ve began to ask “what did all that hard work mean”. Nothing seems worth the effort anymore. I know someday I’ll plow thru the day like before, but not now.
13. 

    Joe
    July 17th, 2010 - 23:34

    I’m glad to know it’s not just me. I’m sure you’ll get through it, I have in some ways, and I’ve also found other things to occupy my time with, both of which helped.
14. 

    Marta Complementos
    July 28th, 2010 - 14:36

    Don´t worry I some times feel the same

Leave a comment Cancel reply