Productivity is about the effective and efficient use of all resources. Resources include time, people, knowledge, information, finance, equipment, space, energy, materials.
39
votes
8answers
1k views
I'm chronically late to work: how do I change this?
Since I started working on May, I'm always late. Not by minutes, but hours. Last month I logged the hour I arrived at my desk every day and calculated I'm on average 1.5 hour late.
I've been trying ...
31
votes
17answers
3k views
what do you do when you are stuck at programming and you don't have access to internet?
This is a question most of us have faced while programming. Getting stuck! It might be a programmatic problem or tool problem, most of us eventually face it.
You know something is supposed to work ...
30
votes
13answers
2k views
What is the most radical productivity technique that you successfully use?
I think, most people understand the importance of such productivity techniques and principles as focusing, setting goals, avoiding distractions, checking email twice a day, rising early, doing ...
25
votes
16answers
2k views
What to do when tired instead of surfing the internet?
After a full day, I am tired, and often end up mindlessly surfing the internet in the evening. It is the easiest thing to do when I've already made a lot of decisions during the day. Unfortunately, ...
17
votes
11answers
762 views
How to solve my personal issues to be productive and happy person
Until two years ago, I was a positive thinker, easily forgot petty issues, and was productive. After that I started studying for a masters in Computer Science and started a full time job. This means I ...
14
votes
6answers
433 views
How to setup linux as a pure working environment
I am a freelance programmer and I suffer from procrastination - a lot. When I manage to dive into work I really enjoy it, but then after a while something crosses my mind, and I have strong urge to ...
13
votes
8answers
670 views
Struggling in coding
I have a problem that whenever I struggle with a programming problem, for example in computer vision or game programming, I try to look for an existing demo or some code that does that job. I always ...
12
votes
6answers
344 views
how to keep focus in long term?
My problem: I can't keep focus on a few selected areas. Part of the problem is that I want to learn too many things simultaneously. But another, more serious problem is that I can't keep the same ...
11
votes
5answers
469 views
Is there a positive correlation between coming to work early and productivity?
I work as a software engineer. In this line of work, we typically have a flexible schedule, and as long as we get stuff done we can come to work late and leave early.
In my experience it seems that ...
11
votes
2answers
337 views
meditation and productivity
I heart a lot about power of meditation, however I never tried by myself. I tried to find any useful information regarding connection between meditation and productivity, and found nothing ...
11
votes
4answers
575 views
fasting and low-calory diet good for the brain?
I recently watched a BBC Horizon documentary that seems to argue that fasting is good for your general health and your mental acuity.
What scientific evidence is there for and against it?
The ...
9
votes
4answers
256 views
any apps to help maintain 'end of day' journal, to keep track of the work done?
I recently started using a 'TODO' app (wunderlist) to keep track of tasks I need to do. I can keep personal and office stuff on it and since it syncs with my phone and home/office computers, it has ...
9
votes
4answers
146 views
What do I do with reasonably large tasks that are due at some point in the future?
I have found that my todo lists work great for three cases:
Simple things that have a very specific due date (e.g. call Chris at 3pm, pay credit card bill by January 15, etc.)
Things I would like to ...
8
votes
5answers
612 views
How to be a smart worker rather than hard worker to be fit for the IT industry?
How do I work smart rather than work hard, specially in IT context (web development, PHP basically) as this field absorbs only smart professionals?
Sometimes I personally feel that I need to work in ...
8
votes
4answers
285 views
App to track activities and progress on them
I need to find application to track my activities and progress that I did on it (for example number of pages I read or exercises I did). I need to be able to look on what I spent last month for ...
8
votes
3answers
553 views
Self-hosted Evernote alternative?
I'd like to have an app running on my own server that stores and syncs notes, with a great interface. Any suggestions?
7
votes
7answers
248 views
How to cancel out caffeine's effects on sleep?
I'm a programmer and I need caffeine in order to do my job.
But, the paradox is - the same caffeine that enables me to do my job degrades the quality of my sleep, which in return degrades my ability ...
7
votes
5answers
222 views
Why is my productivity the lowest in afternoon?
Is it just me or is productivity low in the afternoon for general population? I find that I'm unable to do simplest of tasks between 1pm and 5 pm.
7
votes
9answers
337 views
How to constrain my emotions and act based on my wisdom?
I am not sure that this is the right SE site to place this question. If not my early apologies and please redirect me right SE site.
I am suffering from a high intensity of my emotions. Anger, fear, ...
7
votes
3answers
325 views
Is it a bad idea to work in the evenings or at night?
Sometimes when I'm bored I work in the evenings and even into the night on work related projects. Is this a bad thing?
Will it harm future productivity during the day? Should you strictly limit ...
6
votes
7answers
326 views
While learning any new programming language, is it a myth to use a basic text editor instead of an IDE to learn concepts?
I am learning Ruby on Rails these days and asked one of my friend to provide me an IDE for Ruby on Rails, but he suggested to write code on Notepad/Dreamweaver (Windows user currently) first instead ...
6
votes
4answers
249 views
Depression or Procrastination, Can either be permanently changed?
This morning I was diagnosed with depression and given medication. My initial reason for visiting the doctor, is because I'm very tired and can't seem to generate the elan to do stuff.
As an example, ...
6
votes
5answers
287 views
Hating sleep at night because of inadequate feeling of no achievement during the day
I've been having a hatred for sleep and when i mean hatred i mean a feeling of not wanting to fall asleep because i feel i've done nothing during the day to achieve my goals.
How can i stop feeling ...
6
votes
4answers
300 views
How to concentrate on only one thing?
I have a problem. I can't concentrate on one thing at a time. I can't read a whole article, I can't read a whole book, I can't watch tv without reading news from social networks for example.
Could ...
6
votes
8answers
241 views
Recommended Task and Goal Management Apps
What recommendations are there for good apps that combine goal setting with task (or to-do list) management ?
I currently use Microsoft One Note, because you can create lots of related pages and it ...
6
votes
3answers
190 views
How to use pomodoro technique when doing tasks with dependencies?
The Pomodoro Technique works well for me when I do fixed ,defined tasks like studying using book or working on specific issues .But I struggle with this technique when the task at hand has a lot of ...
6
votes
2answers
208 views
How to correctly resume yourself with the same enthusiasm after sleep?
Many times I find ideas of good things working in my head. Those ideas are good and I want to work on them tomorrow, also. And sometimes, I feel interested in a project/work, doing it with pleasure. ...
5
votes
8answers
382 views
How do I concentrate, feel comfortable and be productive?
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 ...
5
votes
13answers
630 views
Name of music type that is not distracting
I'm convinced some quiet background music can increase productivity or at least I'm willing to try :) I'd rather listen to music on head phone than street noise.
I believe that music should be ...
5
votes
7answers
305 views
Is Google changing the way we approach problems or just plain “making us stupid”?
I have found that my long and short term memory is much worse than it once was.
Often I can't focus on thing in detail only skimming whole articles.
So, I tried googling these symptoms and I found ...
5
votes
2answers
147 views
How to keep the “spark” alive after graduating and starting to work?
I have recently graduated from college and started working quite far away from home (1200 miles appx). And I am finding this new life, new daily routine a little too easy to adjust to.
I am an ...
5
votes
2answers
251 views
how to maintain a constant productivity level?
I'm facing the following situation: I can work very productively on one or two projects for a couple of weeks (40-60 hours), feeling that nothing (and nobody) can stop me, getting all things done. But ...
5
votes
6answers
151 views
Nudges - to achieve personal change?
I have tried a system of sending myself timed emails daily (using virtual meetings in Google Calendar), each containing a self-message; e.g. at 6am 'stay positive', at 8.30am 'break work down into ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
how to finalize a project?
I have this problem. I like to plan projects, and to define what will be and not present; I also like to create graphics, and also to develop most of the project, but when it comes to details, I ...
5
votes
2answers
156 views
How to measure/increase productivity
I am an individual contributor in the team working from off-shore. My manager is onsite and he assigns work to be on calls. The project is in very initial stage so I am mostly doing POC's. However, I ...
4
votes
5answers
402 views
Looking for printable daily organizer/planner/scheduler for 2013
I am having a hard time searching for an electronic version (any file type that can be printed) of a daily planner. Paper version of these planners look something like this:
Only requirements for ...
4
votes
2answers
174 views
Is there research about the productivity benefits of standing vs. sitting at work?
Mostly what I've found is anecdotal. Would love to know if there has been any actual research on this subject. I've tried both and don't find a dramatic difference, wondering if investing in a ...
4
votes
3answers
233 views
Feeling of stress when I have to learn something new
I am a senior student doing a Computer Science degree. At the moment I have to be working on my advanced final project thus I have alot of software development concepts to grasp in short period. When ...
4
votes
1answer
160 views
I have a mastermind group set up. Now what? What activities should we be doing while together?
I am interested in any ideas on interesting activities or discussions we could do/have while together. Also any tips on how to effectively run a mastermind group and ensure our members get the maximum ...
4
votes
4answers
201 views
What are the steps to be taken to bring more clarity to your thought process?
I had recently migrated from being a student to an IT professional and I realized that I need to bring in more clarity in my thought process.
My job requires me to ask critical questions (I do ...
4
votes
3answers
153 views
Feeling after working on hard problem
Is it generally the case that getting stuck/working on a difficult problem means that you feel uncomfortable (i.e. you head hurt)? Or do some people feel like they are watching a movie and it is fun? ...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
If I can both sit and stand during an 8-hour day, what is the optimal balance of time sitting/standing?
So I have two desks right next to each other (actually, one is a regular desk and one is a refrigerator, my "standing desk"). I work from home, usually about 8 hours a day.
Is there any research ...
4
votes
3answers
100 views
Reviewing Past Productivity
I have tried tons of apps, some of the ones I like being Wunderlist and Workflowy. A feature that these 2 don't have (to my knowledge) is a weekly review.. I would love to be able to go back and see ...
3
votes
7answers
188 views
The flow phenomena
Short: How to trigger so called "flow" phenomena during everyday work routine (which is not really challenging)?
A bit more detailed:
On Wikipedia site about flow we can read:
Flow is the mental ...
3
votes
2answers
94 views
Context vs. Lists
I'm not very familiar with this whole Getting Things Done thing, but I believe this is where context and lists are very important. I was wondering what the difference between the two were. It seems to ...
3
votes
2answers
108 views
Becoming efficient and thus reducing how much we work & stress?
We're all about productivity and efficiency these days. But these all serve to get more done in less time, making us more stressed and looking for even more ways to cut time down. At least, that's ...
3
votes
5answers
154 views
Working on too many ideas?
It is said that to work effectively we should focus and concentrate. But it is also true that to get more productive, one has to work a lot. So is it better to work on more than one project at a time ...
3
votes
4answers
233 views
How to overcome cold/allergies/mild sickness?
I am often very productive and motivated. However, this is destroyed when I have a cold or allergies or am simply not feeling well. I am not talking about having a very obvious illness - I am ...
3
votes
4answers
304 views
Grasping new things quickly or in less time
I am 4yrs experience software engineer. When a new requirement comes or when I move to another project, I take a long time to understand the process/flow. So become helpless to work on any development ...
3
votes
5answers
208 views
Doing a lot of things in one day— good or bad?
Ok so I am a student so my question is not exactly related to workspace but it is related to work productivity so that is why I am posting it here.
I am planning to learn a few things during the ...
