[jessriedel]

> your brain can only work productively on a hard problem for 1 -3 hours before needing to reboot

This is very different from my experience. For advanced math or physics problems, it general takes at least a couple of hours to assemble the relevant mathematical structure in your head. Only once you are familiar with the "setting" can you really start to work.

I've heard similar things about writing code.

If I took a break every 2 hours, I'd never get anything done.

[grogers]

While that is true, sometimes stepping away from the problem will let it coalesce in my head and give clarity to what I wasn't making any headway on earlier. If you aren't getting anything done, working longer is probably not the path to victory. But if you are in the zone, you can sometimes work for hours straight and zip through.

[jessriedel]

Agreed.

[jacobolus]

Yep. In my experience the same is also true of writing good political science papers, solving information design problems, or really digging in to a photography project.

[pasbesoin]

As an aside, an effect of health issues can be to distract you before you get this far along.

If you're having trouble executing, don't forget to consider your state of health.