Post: #1

For the past few years Ive noticed that when I focus on a project or problem that needs solving I find it hard to break concentration. I will work on it constantly to the point where I'll look up and hours will have gone by. The last time I embarked on a project I didn't eat, drink, or move for up for 18 hours and when I stood up I passed out. The problem is that once I lock in to something everything else gets neglected for days at a time. The upside is that I won't stop until I learn everything about what I'm focused on. The other downside is that if I'm not into something there is no chance on earth that I can pay attention to it. If you can imagine what's it's like to be locked one project after another nothing else gets done and it become disruptive.

Anyone experinece this? Suggestions?

Post: #2

Yes I've experienced it, 12 hour straight 'in the zone' sessions etc. Don't do anything to interrupt it or stop it. It's when you'll get your most powerful, 'flow' productivity. Just make sure you're only setting out on projects that will plausibly have a payoff for you.

For the other stuff that needs to get done, schedule it all into an 'off day' when you don't touch the project, and instead just clear those things.

Post: #3

(03-27-2016 11:36 AM)swoosh Wrote:  For the past few years Ive noticed that when I focus on a project or problem that needs solving I find it hard to break concentration. I will work on it constantly to the point where I'll look up and hours will have gone by. The last time I embarked on a project I didn't eat, drink, or move for up for 18 hours and when I stood up I passed out. The problem is that once I lock in to something everything else gets neglected for days at a time. The upside is that I won't stop until I learn everything about what I'm focused on. The other downside is that if I'm not into something there is no chance on earth that I can pay attention to it. If you can imagine what's it's like to be locked one project after another nothing else gets done and it become disruptive.

Anyone experinece this? Suggestions?

I believe that this is a rare and extraordinary gift. Most people are basically distracted by the BS that makes up their daily lives and only produce a fraction of what someone who can concentrate can.

So that being said I want to address the "everything else gets neglected" part. The CW will tell you some happy bullshit like you need balance in your life etc. I am here to tell you that you should think about this "problem" when you are NOT concentrating and concentrate on as many practical daily problems to make yourself even more productive and extend these periods even further meaning more days or weeks of concentration (I dont mean not sleeping.) What I am talking about is automated maid service, automated payments, laundry solutions that do not require your manual input, maid access to your home, personal assistant with automated duties, etc. I would add to that finding a personal chef on call, and or delivery options for restaurants that you like nearby.

You get the idea. Value this as a special ability and on the off times clean up the practical daily systems so that nothing stands in your way.

Post: #4

“Winners focus; losers spray”...Michael LeBoeuf, author of The Millionaire in You

I love that quote because it's true. It's gospel to me.

I've started and sold 3 companies (so far) And each time it took laser focus, discipline to the point of obsession to get them off the ground and stable.

Many people "dream" of working for themselves but the majority never do because the lack the focus.

You don't have a "problem". You have the gift of discipline that's required to accomplish what you want.

Post: #5

(03-27-2016 12:35 PM)PapayaTapper Wrote:  “Winners focus; losers spray”...Michael LeBoeuf, author of The Millionaire in You

I love that quote because it's true. It's gospel to me.

I've started and sold 3 companies (so far) And each time it took laser focus, discipline to the point of obsession to get them off the ground and stable.

Many people "dream" of working for themselves but the majority never do because the lack the focus.

You don't have a "problem". You have the gift of discipline that's required to accomplish what you want.

I need to start making my businesses sellable...

Post: #6

I agree on this discipline being a gift. However, from my experience I work better and more productive when I take a 10-15 minute break every 2-3 hours when I feel my progress is decreasing. Those 10-15 minutes revive my energy and giving my brain a break often provides me with a sort of refreshed view and insights (and thus solutions) on what I'm working on.

Post: #7

OP may be describing hyperfocus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfocus

Supposedly those further on the autism spectrum experience this. I know I have.

Post: #8

This state is amazing it's called 'Flow' as Phoenix first mentioned earlier -- it's well documented and studied by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi -- a must read book

Overview - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

Mihayl's great TED talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csiksze...anguage=en

Book - http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Ex...0061339202

Post: #9

(03-27-2016 12:35 PM)PapayaTapper Wrote:  You don't have a "problem". You have the gift of discipline that's required to accomplish what you want.

+1 to this. Its a gift. Discipline and focus gets stuff done.

Post: #10

(03-27-2016 09:06 PM)RatInTheWoods Wrote:  

(03-27-2016 12:35 PM)PapayaTapper Wrote:  You don't have a "problem". You have the gift of discipline that's required to accomplish what you want.

+1 to this. Its a gift. Discipline and focus gets stuff done.

I missed this.. Agreed, Gift!

Post: #11

(03-27-2016 04:38 PM)TooFineAPoint Wrote:  OP may be describing hyperfocus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfocus

Supposedly those further on the autism spectrum experience this. I know I have.

Fuck. Now I have autism.

I have the ability to hyperfocus, but fear of failure has meant that I rarely invest in an idea.

I recently realized that the fear of failure has been what has been holding me back, not my ability.

If you have the ability to hyperfocus and have faith in the yourself, you're ahead of 99% of people in your potential to succeed.

I think you know this and I don't think you're starting these threads because you are actually worried about yourself, but rather because you're looking for similar people that you can related with.

It's lonely at the top.

Post: #12

I don't think this is a problem per say but you need to notice at what point said project is becoming decremental. Otherwise you might just waste your time on something that will in the end add no value

Post: #13

A lot of people are praising your ability to exude a snipers focus on your goal, without waiver.
I also want to compliment you on this, however do keep your health in mind.

You say you stood up after your "flow" session and immediately passed out.
This is no joke and I believe was taken way too far.
What if you hit your head on the way down and got a Concussion?

I too suffer from mild Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and have felt this "flow" most of you are talking about.
No matter how great the "flow" is for productivity, your health is extremely important though - never forget that.

Because once you lose health (in whatever aspect that might be, in my case I have 2 metal plates in my right leg and a huge bolt through my right ankle), you will think about it every single day of your life.

Use an alarm clock to remind you to get up, stretch, drink, eat and maybe even exercise.

Post: #14

(03-28-2016 01:02 PM)ScrapperTL Wrote:  A lot of people are praising your ability to exude a snipers focus on your goal, without waiver.
I also want to compliment you on this, however do keep your health in mind.

You say you stood up after your "flow" session and immediately passed out.
This is no joke and I believe was taken way too far.
What if you hit your head on the way down and got a Concussion?

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #15

(03-28-2016 01:02 PM)ScrapperTL Wrote:  ...
Use an alarm clock to remind you to get up, stretch, drink, eat and maybe even exercise.

I do this. Google now is good for this. I would also add socialize and sleep, which are all essential human features. But if you have a flow out of this world... By all means skip all of this and keep at it. Just don't do it for three weeks at a time.

If you don't eat for a day or two you will get dizzy and weak, which is probably what time swoosh was describing.