How do I concentrate, feel comfortable and be productive?

Question

I've recently been using my computer while laying down on my bed with a monitor arm extending my monitor in front of me from the side of the bed.

My keyboard and mouse are wireless, and I can use wireless headphones, regular speakers, or a wire headphone.

So, I have many things available and it's comfortable for long time.

But I don't want that. I want to set on a chair, have a computer in front of me on a desk, with some papers, a pen, while everything is comfortable, so that I work for hours like this.

I don't know how to do that.

It came to my mind the question: if I buy ergonomic chair, ergonomic keyboard, multiple matte monitors extending from arms, will I feel comfortable? Do people that have this set-up feel comfortable and can concentrate for hours (with breaks in between) while programming or studying or something like that? I would like to hear your experience and your ideas... for example, what is your dream workspace, and do you have something close to that right now?

Answer 1

I personally feel comfortable only when I'm excited about what I'm doing.

If I'm not excited about what I'm doing, I can have the best chair in the world and it won't do much for my productivity.

Conclusion: emotions and motivation / mindset are the fuel of my productivity, not ergonomic chairs / monitors / etc. I don't think 'things' will help your productivity (at least not drastically).

Answer 2

There is an element of truth in what @Tool says - the environment is not likely to be the key factor in making you productive.

That said, it is certainly an enabler: you don't want your setup to hinder your work, and you also don't want it to make you lethargic.

Mentally it is better to have your bed reserved for sleeping, and an office space for working - this helps to separate these two states, both consciously and unconsciously. Studies also suggest that working on a computer just before sleep is not conducive to a good sleep, so moving your machines away from the bed will help you avoid using them late at night.

Getting that separation may help you feel more enthusiastic about work in the first place.

It is definitely possible to have a very comfortable office environment, with adjustable height desks (for sitting and standing), ergonomic chairs, adjustable monitor arms etc. but don't go over the top on this - work out what you need first. Later you can add what you want as extras.

Answer 3

I try to have a comfortable environment. I bought a chair which suppose to be ergonomic, I have a fancy desk, wireless electronics and I always think there is something I could buy to get better.

In my opinion the comfort comes from your mind. It is true sometimes you can have uncomfortable environment but most often it is a matter of simple solutions.

What really makes me happy on my desk is straight back, good direct light and music I like.

I also try to do yoga and often sit with crossed legs in lotus kind of stuff, but it is not for a long time. Maybe take look more into your position not too comfy to get you a sleep but also not to difficult to make you ace.

Answer 4

A good chair is one of the best ways to feel comfortable while working, which could also help you stay focus on tasks. Another great way that I do is take a regular break that keeps my sanity when working to stay productive.

Answer 5

The environment is not what makes you productive, but totally helps your productivity. The more the time you spend working in that environment, the more your mind becomes used to be in work-mode when you are in that environment. Like Pavlov's experiment, when you are in that environment you feel like working.

This said, it becomes clear that, if you get used to work in bed, probably you'll think about work (not sleep) when you are there. I suggest you to separate work from sleep to avoid feeling in work-mode when you are to sleep.

My suggestion: create a place where to work, set it up so that you can quickly find anything you need for your work and try to spend the work-time (only the work time if possible) in this place. Given this constraint you can use anything, any good chair, any desk, any computer. I think the important thing is to make the place => working-mode association in your brain.

Answer 6

Interest, peace, uncluttered mind and good environment are four key factors to feel good and be productive.

Interest:

You need to be interested enough in what you are doing. If you are not interested, you will never be productive as you will not be enthusiastic about it.

So first make sure you take interest in your work.

Peace:

I would advice you to do meditation before you go to your workplace or before you start working. Do meditation at a peaceful place with no interruptions.

This will release all the stress and make you more chilled out.

Uncluttered mind:

While you work don't think of anything else except what you are working on. Don't think about your family, friends or anything else as this will break your concentration and hence will decrease your productivity.

Good Environment:

Make sure you are 100% comfortable before you start working. Make sure your work space is exactly as you want and you have a nice relaxed place and environment to work.

Materialistic things may make you feel good for sometime but they will not increase your productivity.

Hope this all helps.

Answer 7

All good answers so far! The focus on your work that leads to forgetting your environment is called "distraction" in the world of pain management. It is amazing how your aches and pains disappear when you are doing something that is enjoyable and focuses your mind on something besides yourself or your body.

That being said, it is still an excellent idea to take a physical break from your desk at least once an hour. Stretch, yawn, throw a ball to the dog, get a cup of tea, just get up and move around a couple of minutes, then return to your work with a little more energy. (Setting up an hourly reminder on your phone or computer will help with this).

Best of luck to you!

Answer 8

A good guide on this from people who have spent their lives in front of a computer:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/support/healthy-computing-guide

Shorter summary of that:

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/08/computer-workstation-ergonomics.html

Mainly I like the part about the wrist being in line with forearms. Bending the wrist up or down is one of the biggest sources of strain in front of a computer.

In my experience, writing code while lying on a bed is quite possibly the most unproductive thing I've ever done. A comfortable chair and posture means a lot, especially when coding.