RescueTime + Beeminder: to track what I'm actually doing so I can't trick myself into thinking I'm more productive than I am. I have it set to 30 hours a week of productive work. People think I'm a god damned freak of nature and worth every penny they pay me if I average 30 productive hours.
I use the Pomodoro technique to stay focused. Once I get into the grove it's kind of silly, I'll find I've been programming for about two hours and haven't restarted the Pomodoro. But it IS a great way to cut short procrastination.
"I'll read HN after this 25 minute stretch..."
Depending on what I'm doing I have to have Twit.tv or music playing in the background or I get bored and my mind starts wandering.
Make sure you dev environment is fast. Cognitive drift is your enemy.
RescueTime + Beeminder: to track what I'm actually doing so I can't trick myself into thinking I'm more productive than I am. I have it set to 30 hours a week of productive work. People think I'm a god damned freak of nature and worth every penny they pay me if I average 30 productive hours.
I use the Pomodoro technique to stay focused. Once I get into the grove it's kind of silly, I'll find I've been programming for about two hours and haven't restarted the Pomodoro. But it IS a great way to cut short procrastination.
"I'll read HN after this 25 minute stretch..."
Depending on what I'm doing I have to have Twit.tv or music playing in the background or I get bored and my mind starts wandering.
Make sure you dev environment is fast. Cognitive drift is your enemy.