No Focus After Work

Diet and Nutrition
1

I work a 30-hour-a-week retail job that requires lots of energy. I am dealing with customers non-stop, every shift.

My dreams lay not in retail, though, but in writing.

The goal is to write every day after work. I have the desire and lots of the drive, but what I lack completely is the mental focus after a work shift. In fact, I’ve found myself nodding off and napping within five minutes of reading or writing after work.

I’d like to know any tips on getting that focus. Keep in mind that I am typically off work any time from 4PM to 7PM, and am aiming to be in bed by 12:30AM every night.

I don’t presently consume any form of caffeine, and something like green tea makes me even sleepier. I’ve never had coffee in my life, and worry about having coffee that late in the day. I know Spike is an option, but I’m asking for a solution that I’m going to need almost every day – is Spike safe in that situation, or even affordable?

I’m sure there are others that work a tiring job to fund their dreams. What do you use to regain the focus that you lost financing yourself during the day?

2

30 hours a week? really?

Come on, be serious, that is nothing. I am lucky, I work 40 hours a week. In Engineering. With constantly changing deadlines, pressures and priorities. I am lucky because I know many, many people that work even longer hours at even more stressful jobs, and then go home to their family responsibilities. They train late at night or early morning because it is the only time they have. They have focus because they don’t have a choice.

I would propose that you are struggling with focus because you have too much free time.

If you dislike your job, that could well be a part of the problem. retrain yourself to appreciate that the job is ONLY 30 hours a week, so you can spend a heap of time writing.

Look for positives, it will improve your outlook and give you more drive.

Eat more, exercise more. The more I eat and the more I exercise, the more refreshed I am during and after work and the more energy I have during the day.

Start with this before looking for magic formulas or supplements.

3

[quote]eyver wrote:
I work a 30-hour-a-week retail job that requires lots of energy. I am dealing with customers non-stop, every shift.

My dreams lay not in retail, though, but in writing.

The goal is to write every day after work. I have the desire and lots of the drive, but what I lack completely is the mental focus after a work shift. In fact, I’ve found myself nodding off and napping within five minutes of reading or writing after work.

I’d like to know any tips on getting that focus. Keep in mind that I am typically off work any time from 4PM to 7PM, and am aiming to be in bed by 12:30AM every night.

I don’t presently consume any form of caffeine, and something like green tea makes me even sleepier. I’ve never had coffee in my life, and worry about having coffee that late in the day. I know Spike is an option, but I’m asking for a solution that I’m going to need almost every day – is Spike safe in that situation, or even affordable?

I’m sure there are others that work a tiring job to fund their dreams. What do you use to regain the focus that you lost financing yourself during the day?[/quote]

Just the drive of having a goal you really want should be enough to make you alert. How often do you train and what do you do to stay alert then and prepare ?

Are you meals balanced and regular without excess carbohydrates, plenty of protein and good fats ? Do you drink enough water and supplement your diet. We would really need to see your diet and training regime along with your work and writing scheme.

4

In addition to the posts above me, try getting more sleep. I can tell you that nights I get 9 hours of sleep, im a badass the next day.

Sleep is very vital, not to knock your job, but you are working 30 hours a week, you have no excuse to be tired.

I work 6 days a week at fedex for 40 hours, driving by airplanes, unloading packages, and dealing with idiots. Also I go to school for 5 hours a night 3 nights a week.
Some people work/study way more than that.

Try getting a little more sleep, try to crash at 11 instead of 12:30.

But when all else fails - pop a Spike at lunch and see how your focus is.

5

stig nailed it… nutrition is the key. You don’t mention what you are eating and only mention stimulant helpers. Energy supplements are great, but shouldn’t be used in place of healthy nutrition and adequate rest. When one is eating right and exercising energy levels are optimum as well as focus.

D

6

Sleep early. Wake up early.

7

[quote]Dedicated wrote:
stig nailed it… nutrition is the key. You don’t mention what you are eating and only mention stimulant helpers. Energy supplements are great, but shouldn’t be used in place of healthy nutrition and adequate rest. When one is eating right and exercising energy levels are optimum as well as focus.

D [/quote]

Kind of reminds me of a guy I used to work with talking about using creatine and not getting any results. His diet consisted of lager, cakes, fry ups and the odd Weider Protein Shake, although he did train quite hard.

Supplement should (apart from vitamins and EFA’s) only be used when the diet is about right, otherwise among other things its a waste of money usually.

8

Not to be yet another internet dick waver, but I work between 40 and 45 hours a week at my primary job, plus another 10 to 20 hours a week at my part time job, plus graduate school. 30 hours a week of retail work shouldn’t be taxing you so much that you can’t do other things. How much are you drinking every week?

As far as Spike goes, you can get a pack for $10 from the store. Try it. Individual results will vary, so even if everyone on this thread tells you how wonderful it is, you’ll need to try it for yourself.

9

[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
Sleep early. Wake up early.[/quote]

Elmore Leonard used to wake up at 4:30, and write between 5-7 am every morning before work.

No one is going to hand you a freebie on this one.

Dan “Works 40-60 hours a week, just finished his third novel” McVicker

10

Here’s a (slightly) useful contribution: try setting a deadline. Why not set a deadline for finishing, say, a novel. Give yourself one month. The month of November, perhaps. And, since misery demands company, share your melancholy and tears with fellow writers who are equally foolhardy. www.NaNoWriMo.org (National Novel Writing Month).

11

Thanks for the replies everyone.

My choice of words was poor. Yes, only thirty hours a week, and in fact, that’s less than anyone else I work with. The reason I only work that much is so that I can have the time to pursue what I really want in life. However, I am fresh on the job and assumed that I would have no problem mustering the strength every day to get to writing after work, but I have only recently found that I am completely worn out after my shifts.

My nutrition is excellent. Adequate carbs – all in the morning or during/after my workouts for two meals. Lots of good fats and lots of protein. My food choices are centered around beef, eggs, oats, kidney beans, peanut butter, heavy cream, and lots of brocolli, cauliflower, and carrots throughout the day, with a few fruits in the morning. I also do not drink alcohol. Without going into more detail, I will say that I have never had issues with energy in the past, and thus why I bring up stimulants only. My nutrition has always been more than adequate to get me completely through every day.

I posted in this forum to ask about stimulants, but any other advice is appreciated. Maybe I should try dropping by the gym after work and walking on the treadmill for half an hour? That could potentially help revitalize me a bit, I’d assume?

I also love hearing the anecdotes about those who work early in the morning before their jobs every day. It not only gives me ideas for myself, but provides tons of motivation.

Again, I apologize for the inflection of my original post. I did not intend to say that I consider myself a hero for working thirty hours a week at a retail job, and I commend all of you who work more and are able to balance family and other priorities. My job – not a sales position at a retail store – is very taxing in its limited hours, though, and is limited to thirty hours a week because I am only looking to make enough money to get by while pursuing what I really want.

I do get some writing done now, but I want to get more done, which is currently inhibited by my lack of focus after work.

Many thanks to everyone who has given advice or anecdotes so far. I would prefer not to take stimulants since I never have before in my life, so anything that could help me avoid that is appreciated. I am simply curious if that’s the best route to take, and so far, the answer seems to be “no.”

EDIT: By the way, kicks in the balls are completely appreciated. I work limited hours and am still complaining. I still stand by my statement that my work is taxing, but I know that I should have no problem spending many hours every day following my dream. I just do not want to go too far off-topic for this part of the forum, but if that is not an issue, please feel free to dig into me. I need the reality check.

12

[quote]eyver wrote:
I don’t presently consume any form of caffeine, and something like green tea makes me even sleepier. I’ve never had coffee in my life, and worry about having coffee that late in the day. I know Spike is an option, but I’m asking for a solution that I’m going to need almost every day – is Spike safe in that situation, or even affordable?[/quote]

No stimulant works day after day after day. Every stimulant only gives you what is essentially borrowed energy - and you’re borrowing it from yourself.

Food is important but not crucial. On a bodybuilding forum its importance will never be underestimated, but it seems like you’re looking for energy in a non-physical domain.

Sleep is important too, but again, not crucial.

What really matters is your creative drive. You have to find a way to put yourself in a place where you simply can’t stand NOT writing. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. It’s not easy to do that but the results are worth the effort.

13

[quote]nephorm wrote:
Here’s a (slightly) useful contribution: try setting a deadline. Why not set a deadline for finishing, say, a novel. Give yourself one month. The month of November, perhaps. And, since misery demands company, share your melancholy and tears with fellow writers who are equally foolhardy. www.NaNoWriMo.org (National Novel Writing Month).[/quote]

Ok, well that seems a little ambitious (unless you’re writing a Left Behind ™ book, in which case a month should be plenty).

But, setting a goal and making a commitment to that goal is certainly reasonable. Perhaps commit that you will spend one hour each day, X days/week writing.

Figure out a time that you know that you can be at your desk (or wherever you write), mornings if you can kick yourself out of bed early, evening after you’ve had a chance to catch your breath if that’s better.

Give yourself a time frame that you will do this without fail for 2 months (that’s about how long it takes to develop a habit) and then just do it.

If you know you only have to do this for 2 months, that’ll help get past the excuses, and when the 2 months are up, it probably won’t seem like such a burden.

14

Off work 4-7.

Nap 4-5.

Write 5-7.

Eat, Train, Etc. Be in bed by 11.

Done.

15

I used to have a similar situation, albeit with a 40 hour work week, a 1 hour drive each way, and usually lots of downtime between clients. I think your problem is stress. In my job i was very very stressed, and this robbed a lot of energy from me.

I actually didn’t even know that I was stressed, which is weird, but a naturopathic doctor gave me some stress pills and about a week and a half later I was absolutely amazed at how much more relaxed I felt.

The other thing is vitamins. I started getting vitamin injections from a naturopath, who basically felt that most people are deficient in vitamins, a fffew weeks later and I feel a much higher and longer sustained overall level of alertness than I have in years.

The other thing, maybe a vacation? A new activity? something to freshen up your mind and get you out of the box of living the same or similar way day to day would probably help.
Forget about writing for a bit and just do other stuff. by the way, for ideas on creativity, I highly recommend stevepavlina.com.

Hope that helps.

Oh yeah, I started taking mangosteen juice. it’s awesome for giving more energy (we don’t get things like Spike where i live).

16

sounds like you’re not a writer.

17

[quote]swivel wrote:
sounds like you’re not a writer.[/quote]

Best. Post.

18

[quote]Professor X wrote:
swivel wrote:
sounds like you’re not a writer.

Best. Post.[/quote]

Ever?

19

[quote]marza wrote:
Ok, well that seems a little ambitious (unless you’re writing a Left Behind ™ book, in which case a month should be plenty). [/quote]

Lots of people do it every year. If you’ve got the kind of free time that this guy has, I see no problem at all.

I didn’t say it would be a good book.

20

[quote]swivel wrote:
sounds like you’re not a writer.[/quote]

Exactly.