Well, I decided to take a break after reading Hodgman's post, because I realize that's pretty much exactly what I'm falling into. For a full week I didn't visit GameDev, StackOverflow, Google News, Facebook, SFML/Box2D forums, and Google+. I uninstalled Chrome from my phone to help when I was stuck in a boring moment (but I reinstalled it today as it's been a week). Overall, I think that it was a really good experiment. I was more productive than I've been in the past, though I'm still behind in school. But I'm catching up.

After reading what azonicrider said too, I realized that going to bed late (like 2-3am) was really making my productivity suffer too. When I tried to be in bed around 10:30, I was waaay more productive the next day. Plus I didn't feel like a zombie so much. I wasn't perfect though: one night I had to stay up doing a homework project that was due the next day, and Friday night I got home at 4:00am... But most of the other nights I was pretty good and it really helped.

So all in all, I think the two most helpful things I tried this last week were going to bed early and getting up early, and not going into the Internet site browsing cycle that apparently we all fall victim to frequently.

Here's what I'm going to try this next week, and I'll let ya'll know next Sunday how it went: 1) Continuing to go to bed early and get up early (except for Friday/Saturday night). 2) Not visiting my "black hole" Internet sites (that's what I'm going to call them)*. 3) In the morning (or some time during the previous day), I'm going to decide on a realistic list of things (not an overly detailed list, just a "get these two assignments done and this paper written today" type list) I need to finish that day and not let myself do other things until they're done (and once they're done, I can do other "fun" stuff).
[size=1]*I've thought about just letting myself visit each site once (and only once) each day, but I actually learned to really like the break. I missed GameDev the most, but I hate Facebook anyway and I'm not really into StackOverflow, so overall I actually really liked the break. So I'll try it again.



Some of you might say I'm trying to be a workaholic and I need to chill sometimes, but I do. I've still got a good social life and I still take moments each day to just mentally relax/not fry my brain. But I just got a new job (programming mobile apps) and as I transition jobs I've got a lot I need to do. And I'm behind in school, so this "experiment" is helping me catch up and rebalance my life. On to week 2!


Oh, and everyone, you've all been really helpful! If you've shared advice, it's been useful for me to consider it more seriously! And If all you've said is "Heh, I get in that infinite loop too," at least it makes me happy to know I'm not alone

Love is my greatest motivator, by far, wanting to bless the gamers with an enjoyable game. The game technology is fun. I enjoy challenges. Being thorough by nature helps a lot.


Clinton

Monster

What was your name before?

Strange how none of you guys have Youtube in your sidetracked loops.

I've been learning to resist the urge to start-up Firefox or Opera, it all starts there.

Youtube is my late night addiction. Especially love how off the suggestions can be from what your currently watching.

For me, coffee and actually sitting in a coffee shop. I also find that not having anywhere to charge my laptop and sitting in a coffee shop on just battery power helps me focus - it's a case of knowing that I only have a limited amount of time to sit there and work before my battery runs out, so I should make the best use of it.