I need to stop playing Solitaire

[simont]

It's a habit I've formed over the last year or so: if I'm sitting at a computer and trying to have a good idea, or make a design decision, or think about anything that isn't immediately obvious, I'll start a game of Solitaire, just to distract the surface levels of my mind from the immediate problem and allow my subconscious to work on it undisturbed.

This occasionally works, but more often I just waste a lot of time playing Solitaire and don't get anywhere with the other problem. So I've never been convinced that on balance it was a useful habit.

However, I've just sunk to new depths. I started a game of Solitaire, and half way through I realised it was going to be one of those borderline games that doesn't come out easily and isn't obviously impossible, but instead requires a lot of thought. And before I knew what my fingers were doing, they'd clicked over to the GNOME menus and started up another game of Solitaire, to distract me from thinking about the first one.

So I think enough is enough. Anyone got any good tips for breaking strong habits?

Comments

[sphyg.livejournal.com]

Ditto Minesweeper. I accidentally broke it yesterday, which has at least stopped me playing it.

[lnr]

S'funny, Simon mentioning Solitaire had me playing minesweeper this morning. I stopped after I equalled my current high score and then beat it in the space of about 10 minutes. Bloody dangerous game. Down to 34 seconds on intermediate. I *know* I can do better than that. I just have to resist trying.

[lnr]

Argh, 33, must stop.

[simont]

Funny you should mention Minesweeper; a guy I've bought software off in the past sent me an email this morning announcing his new opus, Minesweeper 3D. Be afraid...

[lnr]

Oh dear. Oh very dear. I am hooked on the demo alone.