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Finding a Personal Coding Trifecta

Posted by timothy on from the benadryl-cocoa-and-a-down-comforter dept.

jammag writes "For Seinfeld's George Constanza, his dream of the ideal moment was having sex while watching TV and eating a pastrami sandwich. He called this Nirvana state 'The Trifecta.' Developer Eric Spiegel adapts this concept of Nirvana to the act of writing your best possible code. He examines all (or most) of the possible things that might contribute to the 'The Trifecta' for developers — food, beverages, time of day. Spiegel also describes his personal Trifecta."

4 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. Some folks don't need a zone by willoughby · · Score: 3, Informative

    I can't remember where I first read this definition...

    Professional:
    Someone who can do his very best work, even when he doesn't feel like it.

  2. My Trifecta by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 2, Informative

    1) Inspiration and motivation. (The project is appealing with interesting and stimulating challenges.)
    2) Optimism. (The project has clear and attainable goals. I look forward to completion because I think it'll be a great product.)
    3) Competition and Recognition. (My project is going head to head with someone else's and or might receive recognition. I'll work faster. I'll be less likely to lose Optimism or Motivation and it'll challenge me to push beyond the comfort zone.)

  3. Re:trifecta by xaxa · · Score: 4, Informative

    1) Very large glass of water (I'll lose concentration shortly after it runs out)
    2) Relative quiet, not many people walking around or making phone calls.
    3) My favourite coding music (psytrance or futurepop, depending on my mood)

    Also important
    4) Knowing I'm unlikely to be disturbed, and that I'm not being watched.
    5) No imminent deadline (be that the project deadline, or the told-Ben-I'd-go-to-the-cinema-at-7 deadline).
    6) Some fresh air and exercise (cycling to work, and walking round a nearby public garden/park at lunchtime).

    I think most important is
    0) A good sleep the night before.

  4. Re:My Trifecta: No Boss, No Boss, No Boss by $0.02 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Couldn't you simplify that to just

    Absence of boss?

    --
    If enithin kan gow rong it whil. (Murfey)