No Motivation anymore

LegacyUser

I studied computers for 4 years in college and was not the best but i was defo not bad at them.

I enjoyed spending hours and days writing code and figuring out stuff.
Im now employed for over 2 years in a computer company. I dont really code anymore, but am more of an analyst, figuring out why a system is broken, figuring out how to fix it and advising coders what to do.

I want to get back in to coding and im trying to do a few projects in my spare time but for the life of me i cant get motivated. i do about 20 mins of work, come against something difficult and then i just procrastinate by checking email, surfing the web etc for an hour.

I really really want to get back into coding, and i tell myself i can do it, it just takes perserverence but i just cant gain the motivation. I always thought motivation is the want of someone to do something, but now i realize its what drives that want.

Also, anything i do get done, im hugely critical of, comparing my work to well established work, which is silly as im only getting into this, and the people who wrote the software in question are veterans. I know its silly in my conscious, but my subconscious just wont listen.

I suffered depression at one stage after college, and it produced similar symptoms, procrastination, avoidance of problems etc. I dont feel depressed and am quite happy but could I be suffering from depression again?

Id rather not go back on pills, but if it aids me in getting back on track with what i want do do i will. any advice?

LegacyUser

I was in the same boat, Graduated recently, working in a Software development company but spend most my time fixing bugs, rather then coding this in turn destroyed my motivation up until recently.

I used to get to easily distracted due to lack of motivation. Luckily my GF is in the same field and gave me some advice which worked. You have to organize yourself; Write out a list of tasks to be done, pick a few items off of the list and say you'll get those done then do some other stuff like check email, stuff on the web.

The next day write a new list INCLUDING the left over items from the last day and what ever new items need to be done, then again pick some items off the list make it a couple more then the last day. and after you complete these tasks reward yourself again.

increase the number of tasks your completing each day and eventually you'll be back up to the productivity level you were at before.

As for the depression, I experienced the same thing, Mine was caused by the feeling of being stuck in a rut, following the above got my motivation back and in turn made me feel better.

Hope this helps.

LegacyUser

Without going into underlying issues for now, some certification might help you focus:
e.g. http://www.sun.com/training/certification/index.xml

(specifically, check http://www.sun.com/training/certification/java/index.xml)

If you are a good procrastinator, "working on your own small projects" will never become a reality. You need some structure, like the above, gain some confidence, get new ideas, and hopefully then gain some motivation.

LegacyUser

Ive half tried the list approach, il dedicate myself to that for a few weeks.
And I will search for a night course in ASP.net focused web development.

Thanks folks, advice really appriciated.

aye

talk to your boss.
explain your there 2 years and you'd like to move into the development side of things.
if there aren't willing to change your position, look into a new job.
loads of development jobs still going.

LegacyUser

I cant really move into a dev position just yet as i dont feel im capiable of doing such. thats why im working at it ( or trying to ) in my own time.

I wouldnt leave my current job unless i had something set in stone, as i have a pretty good job with a good company. the economic envrionment at present just doesnt make it appealing to go for a new position where you could be dropped at a moments notice. that wont happen to me here

LegacyUser

cant really move into a dev position internally or otherwise. need to build back up my abilities and confidence first, which is why im trying to do it in the evenings.

I would consider a dev position in the company, but would never move, not in the current economic climate. besides, the company is good to its employees for the most part and i dont think i could get a better deal anywhere else for my expirience.