Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working?

Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by stevewodil on Friday April 09, 2021 @11:00AM (#26751385)

Absolutely make a formal schedule and stick to it as best you can. Schedule a day that you would want and be satisfied with. Separate work time and leisure time, otherwise as a solo dev you feel guilty for not working all the time, which makes it harder to start work. Don't expect yourself to "want" to start working all the time, because you won't. That's the mistake a lot of people make. Get started on small, easy tasks that can ramp you up and get you into flow state.

Ex.

8am - out of bed, make breakfast, no phone usage

9am - start working (and make sure you have specific tasks to work on)

12:30pm - lunch break + go for a walk and listen to podcast

2pm - continue working on specific tasks

5:30pm - leisure time + make dinner

7pm - workout

8:30pm - shower, get ready for bed

9:30pm - sleep

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by JoeCrosby on Monday April 12, 2021 @06:15AM (#26777792)

I'm not sure this is the best advice. Providing more flexibility allows for the spontaneity of motivation that can help you escape a rut which is what the OP is asking.

This assumes that you can be instantly productive in the 3hr work blocks. If you can't get into a flow for the first hour, then you only have 2 hours, etc. And you start to look forward to your breaks.

Flow works best when you have open-ended working sessions. If you are making good progress - don't stop it for lunch. Grab something quick, and then have a larger dinner.

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by pototo666 on Sunday April 11, 2021 @08:00AM (#26769685)

> Separate work time and leisure time, otherwise as a solo dev you feel guilty for not working all the time, which makes it harder to start work.

This is exactly what I feel. Thanks for clarifying this for me :)

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by stevewodil on Sunday April 11, 2021 @09:21AM (#26770178)

Wish you the best of luck! It can sometimes be hard to stick to the schedule but you have to treat it like you would a real job, where you don't have a choice you have to get up and start work. The good thing is if there's something you repeatedly aren't enjoying then modify the schedule!

I got the idea from the book Indistractable by Nir Eyal if you want to look more into dealing with distractions in general

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by dmos62 on Monday April 12, 2021 @05:58AM (#26777680)

You workout on a full stomach?

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by selphy1 on Monday April 12, 2021 @11:01AM (#26780142)

Not OP but I do..

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by tubularhells on Friday April 09, 2021 @11:30AM (#26751776)

You could move workout to the morning when your testosterone levels are highest during the day-night cycle. Easier gains.

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by stevewodil on Friday April 09, 2021 @12:21PM (#26752491)

Do you have data to backup the fact that you would make more muscle gains by training in the morning? Testosterone levels are higher, yes, but muscles are weaker in the morning and your cortisol levels are higher. I usually weight train in the afternoon/evening.

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by bg117 on Saturday April 10, 2021 @11:19AM (#26762078)

If workouts suits you in the evening, its better to continue.

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by tubularhells on Friday April 09, 2021 @08:21PM (#26757770)

Do your research please.

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by stevewodil on Saturday April 10, 2021 @02:11PM (#26763607)

Thanks! I did some research and you're wrong

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Re:Ask HN: Solo developer, what's your recipe to start working? by tubularhells on Saturday April 10, 2021 @07:51PM (#26766392)

Rob Wolf has some stuff on it iirc. Worth a look.

Sorry for being an arse, I had a rough day.

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