Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has a profound effect on one's ability to focus and to rationalize excuses for not focusing.
Interesting data point: the most disciplined worker I've ever seen -- someone who can hit 15 min deadlines for knowledge work -- ends up surfing if she doesn't get enough sleep.
Consequently, she's fanatical about going to bed at the correct time.
It's something I'm trying to work on, but I think I'm basically addicted to sleep deprivation after about 20 years.
When I am in a deprived of sleep, I can barely focus on anything straight. That is why I stopped the drugs because it was killing my sleep.
The issue is I am unable to focus when I have had a good 8 hours of sleep. I end up focusing on fringe but interesting problems while losing sight of the important ones.
Interesting data point: the most disciplined worker I've ever seen -- someone who can hit 15 min deadlines for knowledge work -- ends up surfing if she doesn't get enough sleep.
Consequently, she's fanatical about going to bed at the correct time.
It's something I'm trying to work on, but I think I'm basically addicted to sleep deprivation after about 20 years.