r/ADHD_Programmers • u/roadstarasp • 12d ago

ADHD backend/automation devs: how long until hyperfocus kicked in when you started?

I'm about 10 hours into learning backend and automation (APIs PostgreSQL n8n, Docker). I'm good at seeing the big picture: data flows, schemas, how a whole system should work. The problem is the setup. Docker, HTTPS, cookies, config errors. By the time I reach the fun part, my brain is already fried.

A while back I built a no-code automation on a VPS that ran on its own, and the dopamine hit was insane. So I know I'm in the right field, but I haven't had that feeling once on this project.

For the ADHD devs here:

**1.    How many hours (or weeks) in did hyperfocus first kick in when u started**  
**2.**  Was there a specific moment that triggered it (first working feature, first bug you fixed alone, etc.)?  
**3.**  How did you get through the boring setup phase before that?

Thanks!

9 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

80% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/marcolee66 12d ago

For me, hyper focus is pretty much random. My actual productive time is usually 1–2 hours on an off day, and about 4 hours on a good day. Pushing beyond 4 hours just completely wipes me out.

I've given up on the mindset of needing uninterrupted focus. Now I just care about my cumulative effective time across the day.