Data Entry

jhunter46

So I started a new job yesterday, I'm doing Preliens (data entry) For a construction supply company. The hours rock, the pay is good and I can even wear jeans, but man I was beat yesterday.

Marathon computer sessions are no stranger to me, but I've never been that tired after sitting at a screen for 8 hours.

Does anyone else spend a bunch of time at the computer for work, if so how do you keep from being exhausted at the end of the day?

Chorazin

jhunter46 wrote:

So I started a new job yesterday, I'm doing Preliens (data entry) For a construction supply company. The hours rock, the pay is good and I can even wear jeans, but man I was beat yesterday.

Marathon computer sessions are no stranger to me, but I've never been that tired after sitting at a screen for 8 hours.

Does anyone else spend a bunch of time at the computer for work, if so how do you keep from being exhausted at the end of the day?

I spend 8 hours a day in front of the computer, and it really is tiring. If you can, get up and walk around for a minute or two each hour, and get away from the PC during your breaks.

jhunter46

I'll have to try that. 8 hours at work + 4 hours a night of WoW = a lot of sitting time.

vonPoonBurGer

jhunter46 wrote:

Marathon computer sessions are no stranger to me, but I've never been that tired after sitting at a screen for 8 hours.

It may be a function of what you're doing on the computer. No offense intended, but data entry isn't usually the most stimulating task. It may be that after 8 hours of fairly repetitive effort, your brain kinda shuts down unused areas, giving you that logey feeling when you stop working. If they'll let you have a radio on at your desk, I'd try that. Chatting with a coworker might be mentally stimulating as well, but it requires that there's a coworker close enough to chat with, you're not bothering them, and still able to concentrate on your own work. Otherwise, try to take frequent short breaks so you can get up, stretch, do something that isn't data entry, even if it's just for a few minutes before you get back to work.

Spackle

Definitely make a point to move around a couple of times a day. Go outside, chat with a co-worker, make use of 'smoke-breaks' by doing something non-computer related.

You'll still be tired but it's good to get away from the computer glow. I use my comp 8 hours a day then go home and proceed to use my home comp for various reasons.

Sharp10r

jhunter46 wrote:

I'll have to try that. 8 hours at work + 4 hours a night of WoW = a lot of sitting time.

In a few weeks or months, you are going to (potentially) want to play WoW or other videogames a LOT less. Just go with this. The 8 hour day at a PC will leave your mind craving something different when you get home. Use the time to do something new, and you'll come back to WoW when your mind adjusts to it.
(I say this because I went through that. YMMV)

Cptn Pants

I just started data entry a few weeks ago. I don't know how strict your office is but they let us play music on MP3 players and on the computers Via streaming music programs. The also let us go on AIM, so long as it dosn't interfer with work. I find the day goes fastest when I turn off all my clocks and just zone out, or when I have someone on aim to talk to... for example i used to kill hours talking to my Ex. I'd always do my work inbetween messages so no one ever says anything to me.

If you need a break take a trip the the "far away" bath room, or take a few minutes to look at the vending machines and then head back to your desk.

tony_important

Spackle wrote:

Definitely make a point to move around a couple of times a day. Go outside, chat with a co-worker, make use of 'smoke-breaks' by doing something non-computer related.

I agree, sometimes I go out with co-workers who are having smokes so I can just get outside of my office.

I don't exactly do data entry as much as I do data collection. It's still in front of a computer though, and it drives me nuts.

crake

Force yourself to blink lots. People already slow down on the blinking when at a computer, but when you're doing data entry, it gets even worse. Your eyes dry out, and boom, you start feeling tired. Headache, etc. Force the blinking long enough and it'll become habit, no worries.

It's important to break every 15 minutes or so (or every few pages, whatever seems like a good regular break point) and stretch in your chair, take some deep breaths and get back to it. Just a few seconds of this every 15 minutes will wake you up and keep the blood going.

I've been on the data entry line. Trust me, this stuff works, and it's simple.

an_alt

I'm a coder, so the 8-10 hour day is standard and there have been the odd 20 hour days in there too.

There are three areas to focus on - working, minor breaks, and short breaks.

For the working, make sure you're sitting properly (hint - it shouldn't feel comfortable at first) with the right keyboard height/distance, monitor height, chair height, and all that good stuff. Having some music playing is great even if it's internet radio with only one ear bud. Look at at object somewhat distant when you can and try to find some sort of flow or rhythm.

For the minor break, a simple in chair stretch, tossing something in the garbage, or any kind of movement is great. As crake said, keep it regular - 15 min is perfect and brief - you don't want to look like you're taking any sort of break.

For the short break, hit the coffee/tea/water every hour. Get moving, work a stretch or two into it, and hit the can if necessary. If you smoke, try to get in more frequent quick smokes if you're allowed. The short breaks really help partition the day into manageable sections.

Teh Ericka

I do data entry for a naval engineering company, so I basically stare at a computer screen and type numbers 8 hours a day.

- Make sure to take care of your back, I have one of those special pillows that forces you to sit up straight.

- getting up and moving around at LEAST once an hour is completely necessary. don't just get up and talk to a coworker or anything though, make it a point to WALK.

- Rest your eyes. close them, look at other things around the room to flex your focusing ability, etc.

- Keep yourself really well hydrated. A lot of the time I'll get on a roll with some data and I'll completely forget to drink water, and then I'll wonder why I have such a terrible headache at the end of the day. staring at a computer screen + a lot of thinking + not drinking any water = migraine. Drink LOTS of water.

Plus if you drink lots of water you'll have to pee more, and then you can take a walk to the bathroom.

Xenocide Geek

Not to derail/hijack the thread of anything, but how did you guys stumble across your data entry jobs?

I'm pretty good at that type of thing, and I would like a job, but I don't know where to look.

Teh Ericka

craigslist, good sir. usually in the accounting/finance jobs or admin/office jobs sections.

mrcheesypants

There was a rule I followed when I played WoW and did a little data entry during an internship which was for every 55 min spent infront of a computer screen spend 5 min looking at something as far away as possible. I changed this rule from one of those safty booklets in new games and systems that says "45:15." This is mostly for eye strain though as for the mind numbing effects try to turn on the radio or something.

Dark Moon

While I'm doing endless hours of invoicing at work I tend to listen to audiobooks on my iPod. Ever since I started doing this I've found myself polishing off roughly a book a week and finding work much more stimulating. As long as your data entry is mostly numerical entry onto a spreadsheetor something similar that doesn't require you to think about language, you should be fine.