For certain difficult tasks, you need to stick to your desk until it’s done. We all know those days when we’re in the flow, forgetting about the hours, totally absorbed by the task at hand.

Then comes the situation when we feel stuck. We try something, it doesn’t work. We find a solution, but it feels suboptimal. Since we’re in the flow, we don’t want to stop, risking mistakes by pushing through. As developers, after a long session of work, we often ignore that we’re no longer in the best mindset to solve the problem.

The most reasonable choice is to stop. If you decide to call it a day after making significant progress, you will have renewed energy to continue the next day. If you stop while stuck, you’ll have the opportunity to revisit the problem with a fresh perspective later.

When we have something on our mind, the task continues to run in the background like a machine. That’s why so often we come up with an idea during a walk or another activity when our mind is idle. This means you can’t constantly occupy your mind with a flow of notifications, sounds, and videos. You need to take time to disconnect. This free space will enable you to think about the problem in a new way.

Next time you’re stuck, grab a tea or coffee, go for a walk, or do a physical activity. Your brain will work for you. If not, you still have the internet and your colleagues to ask for a clue.