GeekBlock

I can think of three different situations which can give rise to the dreaded GeekBlock

1. You are stuck by a specific problem
2. You lack motivation
3. You are procrastinating

In each of these situations you might feel that there is no way of moving forward, or that any technique of moving forward is extreemly slow. But all of them can be overcome, if you are willing to deal directly with the problem.

Notes on each situation are included below.

You are stuck by a specific problem 

You've been handed a bug to resolve - but you're not making any headway. Or you're developing a component for a large project, but one small part of it has got you beat.

Some ways you might want to deal with this situation include:

1. Tear your hair out
2. Tell your manager that it cannot be done
3. procrastinate
4. Quit your job

Since these methods are not particularly rewarding in the long term, you might prefer to consider some more sustainable techniques for problem solving.

Take the time to analyze around the problem. Ask the following questions - and don't settle for simple answers.

1. What's the problem
2. Do you lack knowledge about the problem?
3. Do you lack Technical Knowledge?
4. Can you work around the problem?

Identify the problem

1. List making
2. brain storming
3. talk it out

(if need be, talk it out very very slowly)

Do you Lack knowledge about the problem?

(eg, a bug that can't be reproduced)

1. Find the people who raised it
2. Talk to anyone who knows more about it
3. If it's a bug - can you reproduce it?

Lack of Technical Knowledge?

1. Acquaintances
1. Colleagues
2. Friends, old colleagues
2. Web
1. Google
2. product speicifc sites (eg: MSDN for microsoft products)
3. Your Personal Favourites
4. Other people online who've had the same problem (write to them)
3. Books
1. Office library
2. Personal library
3. State/Government libraries
4. Bookshops

Can you Work around the problem

Can it be solved through another means?

What's the underlying business problem?

You lack motivation! 

1. The task is mind numbingly dull!
2. The task is too big.
3. I just don't feel like working on it.

I just don't feel like working on it.

Maybe you are depressed, even clinically-depressed. You can get treatment for that - so go for it. There is an old saying: Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone. I don't feelthat's true. I think the say shoul dbe this: Cry and the world laughs at you. Laugh and you get put in an insane asylum.

1. Take a break
2. Take control
3. List making
4. brain dumping
5. talk it out

(if needs be, talk it out very very slowly)

Suffering from "Super Procrastination" 

Procrastination, or hesitation, can be an immensely enjoyable exercise, particularly when you are facing looming deadlines. SOme of the best activities to perform while procrastinating include:

1. Surfing the web
2. Ripping CDs into MP3s
3. Drawing
4. Emailing/chatting
5. Cleaning your keyboard

1. Little steps
2. List making