How to stop working

Question

Sometimes I just don't know how to stop working.

I have a task to be completed in N days and for some reason I don't quite get, I want to make it in one.

I just see how the clock keeps going, 6pm 7pm 8pm .... 3am

Is not that I really like the code or something, this is different. It like when you thought the change/fix would be sooo easy and suddenly it gets complicated and a tiny error after the other pops.

I can say: well I fix it tomorrow, but then I would be delayed ( the schedule says M of N , M must be finished today )

The real problem is I get overkill and the next day it is harder for me to think clearly. By the end of the week I'm totally burn out and eventually I slip off the schedule.

I have to make the purpose of STOP WORKING, but I can't

"... I just want to see this tiny change reflected before I leave, but a dozen of micro errors happen in the middle...."

_{Should this be CW? I hope there IS a correct answer for this though}

Answer 1

Get a wife to nag you! Mine always makes me leave work!

On a more serious note, you should keep your management abreast of slipping schedules. If after working on something for longer than the allotted time or even if you start to see that the allotted time is not enough, this has to be communicated to program management so that it can be mitigated.

Answer 2

Stackoverflow Archive:

1. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/784461/how-do-you-clear-your-mind-after-8-10-hours-per-day-of-coding
2. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/240743/keeping-work-personal-life-separate

Answer 3

Give yourself smaller goals for a work day. I had a similar problem where I was settings goals for me and my team which were realizable in a day, assuming everything went perfectly. Fact is, it is rare that everything goes perfect. So I have learned to set myself smaller, achievable goals.

So instead of saying to yourself "get this feature done today", simply go for "get this part of the feature done today". Fact is, schedule are schedules. If there are delays due to problem, you can't really control that.

Software creation is not like product manufacturing. You cannot give a deadline and expect to hit on the mark every single time. Give yourself small, manageable, (I would even say atomic) goals. Then, you are less likely to stay up all night to reach your large goal.

Answer 4

it's a conscious choice you have to make. Find another hobby that pulls you away from work.

Answer 5

open a really addictive flash game (or something like that)

Of course, this will create another problem: playing instead of working.

Answer 6

I think a big part of the issue is your estimation skills and the resulting schedule.

Developers are notoriously horrible estimators. We are way to optimistic about our abilities.

The next time you are asked how long something will take, pad out your response with this time you always find yourself taking to 'fix just one more issue'.

Estimates are what they are, do not compromise an estimate to meet a schedule. Change the scope of the requirements. Everyone involved will be happier with the result.

Answer 7

Set a schedule that you MUST adhere to, but make it life-oriented. I have this problem too, so what I did is at 830 i MUST eat something. At 1230 I MUST eat something. At 6 I MUST eat something. If I have an activity that day, unless what I'm working on is mission-critical, I MUST start getting ready for it 15 mins before. If it gets later than 10pm I MUST stop and watch TV or read a book or something.

I punish myself by doing pushups/chinups if I don't follow my schedule.

if you have the mentality that you MUST do something, you will do it. Sometimes I modify my times, but it will be something like, "Ok, it's 10:21. At 10:25 I am going to [do activity away from comp]."

It works for me :)

Answer 8

I don't suffer from this as much lately, but I try not to start something that might take an unpredictable amount of time to finish when it's past a certain time. Don't start working on any complicated new algorithms when you have only a few hours left. Do them as early as possible the next day.

Usually there are more menial tasks that you've been postponing that you could fill your time with. Tasks that allow you to stop working at any given time, or at least tasks that you can be sure to finish within a limited amount of time.

Answer 9

I know alot of people with this type of problem. The issue is the code that they write in the 10th, 11th, 12th, etc hour of working typically is not the best. We have looked over that code and usually want to rewrite it to be simpler and easier to maintain.

Get a hobby. Join a sports team (one guy at work here is in a kickball league - alot of drinking and some kickball added in). Personally I coach both my kids soccer teams and that forces me to be away from work. Go out for a 30 minute walk to clear your head. I have spent many long nights doing things like you are - today? not-so-much. Of course I go home and do coding for me on other things, but that is a different story.

Answer 10

Taking a look from a different angle... If this is something that consistently happens and you are doing it out of the fear of missing a deadline, you should address the possibility that the deadlines are too aggressive. It is like interviewing for a job and having them ask if you have an issue with mandatory overtime. The answer should be "Yes, I do have a problem with it", because there are most likely management and/or process issues that are not being properly addressed.

I do have the same problem with my personal projects, though, but that isn't of the same ilk as a position that I am salaried for on the assumption that a standard work week is forty hours.

Answer 11

My suggestion would be to consider setting limits and understanding that as a human being, you may miss a deadline and have to adjust. Things like drinking fluids, eating food and sleep tend to be necessary things in most people's lives and you shouldn't forget to take care of yourself. While you may make great progress being in the office till 3 am, if the price for this is a trip to the hospital, was it worth it?