[ph1sch3r]

When engaged in a difficult task - perhaps when working at the limit of one's working memory or understanding, I often get a jolt of frustration and want to 'switch tabs' (figuratively or literally).

It's becoming more apparent to me that important traits are:

1) raising the threshold of discomfort that makes one want to task switch 2) the ability to avoid task switching immediately once the task becomes uncomfortable or difficult (or at least avoid task switching in a mindless way)

I find that impactful work often takes sustained periods of focus with some level of discomfort. (For example, watch chess grandmasters at work. Their behaviors of often are a mixture of grimaces, frowns and exasperated sighs.)

Having said that, I find taking a walk is often fruitful, and has a different valence/intentionality to a mindless task switch.