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by have_faith 2163 days ago
Sounds very similar to Hyperfocus[1] from the AD(H)D world which is something I became very interested in for a while. There are certain subjects that can sustain a state of hyperfocus for me and certain subjects that make me question if I'd had enough sleep. On the surface this sounds a bit psuedo-sciency as if asked anyone would say "yeah I also have things that interest me or don't..." but there's certainly something extra going on when you experience it first hand.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfocus
2 comments
ChrisMarshallNY 2163 days ago
Well, there's reason that there's so many programmers with at least mild autism. One of the symptoms is obsessive focus. Can work wonders in coding.

Otherwise, I tend to ignore most of these "connect to your inner power" things.

I don't dispute their validity (usually), and have friends that have done things like the Tony Robbins courses and Lifespring, and whatnot. It seems to have helped them. It's just not the way I feel like going.

I do have a personal process that depends on a fairly rigorous self-discipline. Not many "shortcuts." Does seem to work.

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mrkstu 2163 days ago
My main problem is guiding hyperfocus to the thing that needs to get done right now.

I have a weird anxiety avoidance that makes me willing to do almost anything, including very hard things, if it isn't the thing that is necessary. I can hyperfocus on just about anything else.

I've slowly learned to redirect back to the necessary thing, but its been a decades long path to overcome the tendency.

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mjayhn 2163 days ago
Meditation helped me out with my ADHD way, way more than I expected. It took about a month of daily 10-20 minute practice but it gave me this control over my racing thoughts and shiny distractions that felt completely foreign to me. Like oh, I do have this willpower muscle I just haven't been using it much.

I'm speaking in past tense because since covid I haven't meditated and my mind has become a racing mess. If you can will yourself into doing it I'd highly recommend trying it. You can always stop if you don't see a benefit.

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