I am actually a person that has attention deficit disorder, and when I say it's hard to focus on something I mean it's incredibly hard, when you have to learn things that are a little bit over your head, I just lose focus and motivation quickly, but when I find it easier I am more motivated to do it. I am also phasing out when I'm reading a book or learning anything too hard.

 

It does actually get easier surely? Because once you are used to it, it becomes second nature, then it's easier to focus on your work as it doesn't leave you in a daze about what you just learnt, I just find that this is the case when I am learning something new, that to me it's just so damn hard to focus on. So I tend to phase out when I'm learning.

 

And also when you actually are forced to focus, I find it easier to focus. I was known as someone always slow with anything mental, but I'm not actually a stupid person, I got mostly C's at school with an IQ of 132 (not that it means much), people see that I am actually incredibly smart, but I think my talent has never been able to shine through because of focus, I have delved into so many things since leaving school like investing, but always ended up with average results because I can't get so focused into anything to ace it, I just go through many many interests, a jack of all trades and a master in none, that is exactly what describes me, I know it's a good idea to specialize, but I just find that I am naturally inclined to learn so much random useful stuff.

 

Also, at my last jobs I didn't find it so hard to do the work because it was forced, also didn't really require any mental power from me. Anything that is too mentally challenging for me can either make me distracted or nervous, tests for example are terrible for me because it requires so much focus and also, when i'm like this I feel like rushing, the pressure increases.

 

Is it just me that has this problem? I find that if you read something that is over your head you will lose focus, you go into a trance. But if you find it quite easy, you find it actually more pleasurable to do and hence you can focus.

Edited February 28, 201610 yr by NullDrone

In my experience things never get easier, as once you know something you should be looking to progress from there - the learning never stops in this industry.

 

When I got my first job the difficulty increased sharply - I had to learn Git, Command line, SSH, learn the workflows they use. after a while it did become a bit easier in those respects, but as you improve you are likely to be given bigger and more complex projects. Sometimes I did get the standard basic projects with nothing really new to learn in them, but i'm the opposite - I quickly get bored if I'm not being challenged.

 

I start my role as a senior in a few weeks at Sainsbury's and it's going to be a massive learning curve. You really have to embrace things like that if you are to succeed in the long term as a developer. Applications are only going to get more complex as time goes on...

Edited February 28, 201610 yr by rbrtsmith

I'm with Robert on this one, I don't think it gets easier, and I've found that it gets harder. Generally, you start to get exposed to newer techniques, tools, and language trends as you progress. I think when you start looking at what other professionals are doing, you quickly realise there's a tonne of stuff still to learn. When you first start out, you cover language basics, which haven't changed much.

 

I also find it hard to focus at times. Especially when you want to get past the more mundane stuff, but a lot of that also turns out to be the most important. I've found that using the Pomodoro Technique has helped a lot, I even use this at work. Basically, 25 mins undistracted work, then a 5 min break. Repeat this 4 times, take a longer break for 15 mins, and repeat over again. This helps to prevent your mind from wondering. I use this app, but there are hundreds of others around if you search on Google.

The two comments above by Robert and Jack reflect my thoughts exactly!

 

The more you learn, the less you know!!!

 

You have to constantly learn, so you can stay current and with everything moving so fast, sometimes it's really tricky, when you're busy with work.

Actually, I happen to be in the same boat as the OP, only I actually have ADHD, which adds the hyperactive component to the mix. I find it really hard to stay focused when learning something new, however, one I've learned it I've actually found that in able to hyper focus on what I'm doing. Basically what I'm saying is that once learned I no longer have to focus on learning it, and can, instead, focus more on just using it.

Are you coding any websites or just watching tutorials, reading books, etc?

 

If I'm studying then 30 minutes is probably my limit before I rest my mind - I follow something similar to what Jack advises above.

 

If I'm coding then time flies and can easily spend 2 hours before I realise the time.