Staying motivated and keeping focus

[nickd at funkyjesus.org (Nick Drage)]

On Fri, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:04:59PM -0500, Adrian Crenshaw wrote:

> I find myself sitting, listening to security podcasts (which in and of
> itself is not bad) and playing desktop tower defense. I have tons of
> ideas for new videos and articles but can't get myself motivated to
> start on them.  What do others do to stay motivated and keeping
> focused?

It's difficult, especially when you're looking at the tons of new ideas,
and realising how much time you could spend on them and still they'd be
tons left.  I'd recommend two tactics:

- If you've any ideas which have sat around for months, or even years,
  either delete them altogether, or put them on a completely separate
  list of ideas or projects that you'll somehow get around to if you win
  the state lottery, or end up bed bound for a year.

- Ensure you've a decent list of all the ideas then pick something, at
  random, and plan to spend just a few minutes on it.  After that, if
  you find yourself looking at the clock, move on; if not... well,
  you've found your motivation.

> I'm looking into nootropics, but am a bit skeptical.

Chemistry, unfortunately, is not the answer to everything ;)

-- 
Bruce Schneier - wise words
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2010/01/airport_securit_12.html