How Do You Guys Stay Focused....

I work night and day on nothing but IM -- about 16 hrs a day straight everyday.

Due to health problems I can't really do any form of exercise besides walking on a treadmill which I don't do because its rather boring.

All of my primary projects involve heavy amounts of writing which cannot be outsourced because I would not be able to find someone who could deliver the same amount of quality or expertise, and I am fine with that.

I notice that after a few hours I always hit mental blocks/mental haze that lingers throughout the day and I end up staring at my pages for hours without getting much work done. Unfortunately its not something that you can push through as your mind literally goes to mush.

Any of you guys have writing problems like this and have a solution to keep your mind focused?

I've tried music, breaks, masturbation and smoking, nothing seems to work.

Start by enjoying the process of reaching your goals rather than feeling like shit while achieving them.
You'll later realize that when you achieve your goals, it doesn't have the same echo than enjoying the road to it.
Goals are just milestones if you are smart about them and the happiness when reaching them is temporary as humans are designed to express another desire no matter what.

I can't say I'm working as much as you are, but for what I am doing, I keep it simple, and you've already mentioned some of the stuff: I exercise, I take a few breaks, and listen to music.
I don't smoke, so that's no help, and I don't think masturbation would do any good for concentration, rather the opposite.
One thing that helps me, is a pomodoro timer, google pomodoro method if you don't know what it is, it helps me increase productivity a bit.
I like drinking stuff, so I keep a lot of ice trays in a small fridge just outside of my office, that way I always have a cold drink (non alcoholic during work hours) and have to walk a bit to get it.
One thing about music though, I like a certain type, and a certain quality. I usually listen to either: classical, baroque, which improves concentration, or rap or electronic or bass, only instrumentals, which make me feel more energetic. I invested in a good sound card, an amp and a really good pair of headphones. Since it's one of my few vices, I can afford it.
One last thing I started trying out lately, is meditation. As I said, I just started out, so I don't know how soon I should see results, and I don't have my technique on point yet, but I've read good things about it.

I think, the most important aspect you should consider, is your goal. It's the single most important motivating point you can have. If you know exactly why you are doing something, and you want it incredibly bad, you're going to be the most motivated you can be, ever. I sincerely speak from experience. And that's what I personally need right now, too, a good, well-set objective to look forward to.

Anyway, I hope this helps.
Have a great day, dude!

There is another thread already talking about this: http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/blackhat-lounge/779245-what-do-you-do-stay-focused.html

Codliver said:

I've tried music, breaks, masturbation and smoking, nothing seems to work.

Click to expand...

Your problem is that you haven't gotten past the wanking stage yet. Don't lie, you know what you spend most of those 16 hours doing.

[QUOTE="Don Vito" Genovese;8135601]I can't say I'm working as much as you are, but for what I am doing, I keep it simple, and you've already mentioned some of the stuff: I exercise, I take a few breaks, and listen to music.
I don't smoke, so that's no help, and I don't think masturbation would do any good for concentration, rather the opposite.
One thing that helps me, is a pomodoro timer, google pomodoro method if you don't know what it is, it helps me increase productivity a bit.
I like drinking stuff, so I keep a lot of ice trays in a small fridge just outside of my office, that way I always have a cold drink (non alcoholic during work hours) and have to walk a bit to get it.
One thing about music though, I like a certain type, and a certain quality. I usually listen to either: classical, baroque, which improves concentration, or rap or electronic or bass, only instrumentals, which make me feel more energetic. I invested in a good sound card, an amp and a really good pair of headphones. Since it's one of my few vices, I can afford it.
One last thing I started trying out lately, is meditation. As I said, I just started out, so I don't know how soon I should see results, and I don't have my technique on point yet, but I've read good things about it.

I think, the most important aspect you should consider, is your goal. It's the single most important motivating point you can have. If you know exactly why you are doing something, and you want it incredibly bad, you're going to be the most motivated you can be, ever. I sincerely speak from experience. And that's what I personally need right now, too, a good, well-set objective to look forward to.

Anyway, I hope this helps.
Have a great day, dude![/QUOTE]

Rightly said buddy. Aim for a big goal & it will bring focus.