Comments on: Maximizing Efficiency By Taking Breaks http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/2009/01/02/maximizing-efficiency-by-taking-breaks/ The art, science and business of independent game development Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:22:26 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Michael http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/2009/01/02/maximizing-efficiency-by-taking-breaks/comment-page-1/#comment-451 Michael Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:06:11 +0000 http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/?p=131#comment-451 <p>My introduction to programming coincided with the 2 years of my life that I considered myself to be a smoker. I absolutely loved every cigarette... but that's another story :)</p> <p>Every hour or two, as you do, I would step out onto my balcony for a deep breath of smoke-infused serenity and I often found that I returned having solved the problem at hand.</p> <p>I put this down to actually trying to solve the problem without the distraction of the keyboard. We often try a trial-and-error approach to fixing things... when you're forced to step away, the real problem presents itself and the path to the solution becomes much clearer.</p> <p>Whilst I don't endorse smoking (or do I?!?!) I do miss those nicotine-inspired moments of clarity.</p> My introduction to programming coincided with the 2 years of my life that I considered myself to be a smoker. I absolutely loved every cigarette… but that’s another story :)

Every hour or two, as you do, I would step out onto my balcony for a deep breath of smoke-infused serenity and I often found that I returned having solved the problem at hand.

I put this down to actually trying to solve the problem without the distraction of the keyboard. We often try a trial-and-error approach to fixing things… when you’re forced to step away, the real problem presents itself and the path to the solution becomes much clearer.

Whilst I don’t endorse smoking (or do I?!?!) I do miss those nicotine-inspired moments of clarity.

]]> By: M0RPh1n3 http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/2009/01/02/maximizing-efficiency-by-taking-breaks/comment-page-1/#comment-309 M0RPh1n3 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:39:38 +0000 http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/?p=131#comment-309 <p>I think I butt my head against that wall often. Anytime I spend more than 10-15 minutes on a bug I've run across I drop out and go say hi to the wife or a friend for a bit. Almost 100% of the time I fix the issue within minutes of returning.</p> <p>I agree with Michael. When I was younger I used to stop and play a game or something. Taking a break had never helped me until I started actually leaving the room and doing something completely different.</p> I think I butt my head against that wall often. Anytime I spend more than 10-15 minutes on a bug I’ve run across I drop out and go say hi to the wife or a friend for a bit. Almost 100% of the time I fix the issue within minutes of returning.

I agree with Michael. When I was younger I used to stop and play a game or something. Taking a break had never helped me until I started actually leaving the room and doing something completely different.

]]> By: urbansquall http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/2009/01/02/maximizing-efficiency-by-taking-breaks/comment-page-1/#comment-273 urbansquall Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:35:13 +0000 http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/?p=131#comment-273 <p>A very important point, Michael. I totally agree.</p> A very important point, Michael. I totally agree.

]]> By: Michael J Williams http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/2009/01/02/maximizing-efficiency-by-taking-breaks/comment-page-1/#comment-263 Michael J Williams Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:47:28 +0000 http://www.gamepoetry.com/blog/?p=131#comment-263 <p>So true! Though I think it matters what exactly you do on your break. I've found that, for me, going for a walk (or just pacing about) works best; I don't think I've ever had a breakthrough after sitting in front of the TV.</p> So true! Though I think it matters what exactly you do on your break. I’ve found that, for me, going for a walk (or just pacing about) works best; I don’t think I’ve ever had a breakthrough after sitting in front of the TV.

]]>