Productivity is essential for developers as they focus on coding. Finding ways to stay productive can prove tricky in a world full of distractions, regardless of whether developers work for home or from an office or coworking space. Distractions come in all forms, from interruptions from colleagues at work to the overflowing sink, looming with dishes that can’t yet clean themselves. Whatever the distractions may be, getting them under control while coding is vital to produce valuable, effective code promptly.

The world is being overcome with new technologies every day, and the number of software developers is skyrocketing. According to the State of the Developer Nation, a research program focusing on computer development worldwide, there were 26.8 million software developers in 2021. Experts estimate that number will double within the next ten years as technology evolves. That said, the competition is fierce among software developers. Being productive when coding makes developers more competitive in this vast market, leading to more work and better pay in the future.

Quality vs. Speed

For a developer, it’s good to be quick, but only if the quality of work matches the desired result. Quality is more vital than speed when it comes to developing code. If the code is lacklustre or incorrect because a developer completed it too quickly, it’s useless to the consumer. It could mean the difference between a business running smoothly to constant system issues that cause delays.

When a developer is productive, they can produce quality code on time. When coders consider the final product of how their quality work positively affects a business, it is further motivation to be productive.

Create a To-Do List

As a coder, it’s crucial to have a to-do list. A to-do list anchors a developer throughout the day. It sets priorities and keeps focus on the task at hand. Without a list, the brain is constantly thinking about what is next rather than focusing on the present coding tasks. If there is an upcoming deadline, write that down too. Set goals for the day, whether they will be accomplished or not. Writing it down means it’s not constantly at the mind’s forefront. It allows the focus to be on developing excellent and efficient code rather than future tasks.

Timing is Everything

Software developers need complete focus and attention when coding due to the nature of the job. Not only are they writing code, but they eliminate unnecessary code to make the code easier to read. Having proper focus ensures the code is written correctly and the old code is deleted.

Coding will suffer if there is a constant disruption or lack of motivation for various reasons like being overtired. Because of this, timing is vital. Establishing the best time to code may take time, but putting in the effort is necessary. Certain people might be more productive in the morning, while others hit their pace in the afternoon. Meetings and co-worker interruptions need to be taken into consideration too. Determining the optimal time for productive work might take some trial and error, but it will pay off when you find that groove. 

Find the optimal time to code (for you) and be aware that it may change depending on workload or how the day is going. Avoid hurrying to code in between meetings or when another deadline is mounting. This rush can cause more errors and less focus leading to lower productivity. 

Clear Distractions and Turn Off Notifications

Getting rid of distractions is difficult as sometimes they come from co-workers or family and are unpredictable. That said, get rid of the distractions that are manageable. Listening to music may cause the mind to wander. The same is true for television and smartphones. If an email system alerts of new messages with a pop-up window, that is also a distraction. 

These distractions capture attention and misplace focus and can lead to lower productivity.

It’s best to take these distractions and eliminate them. Turn off the phone and television. Mute the music if it causes a distraction, or instead listen to music that helps you hone in and focus. Turn off notifications for email systems with pop-ups to prevent disruption. Do what can be done to ensure distractions are minimal.

Taking Breaks

There is an art to taking breaks. Depending on the person will depend on how long or short a break should be. According to Gutenberg-Technology, studies have shown that the average attention span for an adult is 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, lapses in attention begin, which can affect focus. To avoid these attention lapses, breaks are essential. 

A five or ten-minute break helps the brain shut off for a small amount of time without completely losing focus. Longer intervals might make it more challenging to re-focus on coding. It’s all about time management. Set a timer to ensure the proper rest to avoid lapses in your focus.

There are many different time management techniques to find the correct timeline for breaks vs. work. Use them if they work. Regardless of how many breaks are taken or the length of time, breaks are vital to re-claiming focus and attention. 

Smaller Tasks Are Better

When a task is too significant, it leads to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated before work begins. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, the mind keeps focusing on how monumental the job is and wondering how it will get completed.

The best way to avoid feelings of frustration and being overwhelmed is to break a task down into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, it helps to have five smaller tasks rather than one enormous task. While the to-do list will appear longer, the jobs aren’t massive. They can be completed faster and give a sense of accomplishment as they are checked off the list. Small tasks feel less daunting and more achievable, preventing feelings of anxiety.

Stay Knowledgeable Of Coding Practices

Like all technology, coding practices and languages are constantly evolving. It’s imperative to stay up-to-date on the latest syntax extensions or macros that make coding easier and repeatable. Depending on the coding language used will decide which syntax extensions are best. Staying updated on that information through articles and blogs helps developers write code more efficiently. Being ahead of the curve on the latest coding practices gives more confidence in coding skills, bringing more productivity to projects.

Using productive techniques to stay on task will allow coders to be more efficient, improve their time management and work-life balance, and provide higher quality results. All of these benefits are a product of establishing good routines, and putting in the discipline and structure to find what is best for you. After all, change is hard in the beginning, messy in the middle and beautiful in the end.