Is it just me or is being productive extremely tough?

Not sure why but I feel like everyone around me can just wake up, hop on a computer and work all day just fine while for me I have to fight just to be able to get a few simple tasks done. Is that just me?

14 Comments
 

No, I must not have been clear enough. 

Difficulty focusing, overstimulation, dopamine dysfunction, etc. (all mentioned above) can cause you to not be productive for a variety of reasons (primarily via distraction). This is natural in today's world.

The line between the two is length of symptoms, both mentally and physically. 

Any one of these (loss of motivation, lack of desire, lack of sex drive, etc.) over a longer period of time is the sign of something deeper. I used depression as a catch-all here instead of naming every disease that is based on chemical imbalance. Even if you truly hate your work, etc. you will still get excited to see friends, go see a movie, eat ice cream, etc, i.e. you can be "productive" in other areas. If you are not productive in any area, that is another sign you are battling something deeper than simply overstimulation or difficulty focusing. 

 

I was really into books as a kid, and I find myself getting in that same zone where I can focus really intently on what I'm doing and time passes quickly, so it's not too difficult for me. I have one fellow analyst who has to listen to podcasts to stay focused, and everyone in our bullpen talks to each other pretty regularly, which definitely helps. 

On days or tasks that are particularly boring, and I can't find any interest at all, I just try to throw in regular short breaks and a long lunch outside. Nothing is going to really help when you're dealing with a garbage backup or long-ass tedious filings. On that last point, I hate 6-Ks. 

 

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