Just Five More Minutes
When coding, there are a set of code lines that I call the “concluding code”. These are the lines that give the module you are working on its meaning. They connect your module to the rest of the program, and open the flow of execution into your new module. I have a problem with the concluding code! I always avoid writing it. Even if its only five more lines, and even if I’ve spent the last five hours writing five thousand lines. Its not that I don’t know how to write it, it’s just that I run away from writing it. As I approach the concluding lines, I start distracting myself. Are there any new articles on Techcrunch? Are there any new posts on Facebook? I wonder what’s in the fridge? Let me go make tea! Look, there is a new episode of Heroes on Hulu! Before you know it, five hours have gone by! Maybe I’ll write it tomorrow.
I came across an article yesterday that caught my attention. Well only one part of it did. Its called the Five More rule. You are suppose to force yourself to work five more minutes as you are about to distract yourself. Lets just say I got a lot done today. The idea is simple, and I’ve always known it. In fact its probably what got me through University exam study nights. But I guess it helps to be reminded every once in a while.
Do you fall into this kind of a trap? and what are your techniques for getting out of it?
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:06 am
write the precluding code, and the concluding code first :) that’s what helps me.
you know your expected method/module inputs/outputs, so write a module that does everything other than actually generate that output. just make it static. have the proper input handling, and output returns written first. the hard part can come last.
so i write everything BUT the brain first, which allows me to just insert it later into this skeleton module, and when i’m done the magic, there’s nothing else to procrastinate on.
now, if i only followed this advice often…
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Matt, I actually like your advice. I’ll try it and see how it turns out.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 pm
It’s funny that’s exactly my problem with doing projects. I bring the thing to 95% completion then want to move to something else! :)