1) So important to be intentional about your time, and your energy. Start planning your day: http://calnewport.com/blog/2013/12/21/deep-habits-the-import...
2) first and foremost, take this opportunity to find/create more challenging projects for yourself in your current role. additionally, start planning/preparing for how you can move to position with more responsiblity and interesting work -- either within your own group, or elsewhere in the firm, or by seeking a job offer elsewhere.
3) if what you really mean is brain fog or lack of focus, these are the main areas to tackle: - cut all web surfing (this gets back to being intentional about your time, and also resetting your dopamine mechanism -- web surfing is our equivalent of rats pressing hte lever over and over for a treat -- totally useless) - cut sugar - get adequate sleep
4) if you are just not feeling software development (or whatever your current work is), it's possible you want to explore a change of role altogether. i have less to say about that, but worth doing some reflection in the evenings -- perhaps with some pen and paper, or by taking some walks and being alone with your thoughts -- to explore this.
and with that, I should follow my own advice and log off HN. :)
Where I work, there's a distinct yearly cycle and this part of the year is quite dull. I was actually getting discouraged a few weeks ago until I remembered feeling the same way this time last year and caught a glimpse the big picture.
During this period of unchallenging work, #3 is super important. If I allow myself to browse (like I'm doing right now... oops) then there goes the morning. I've found podcasts to be perfect for distracting the instant gratification monkey in my head while still allowing me to get work done. When development requires thought again it'll be non-vocal music or silence, but for the mindless debugging and patching going on right now a bit of intelligent chatter is just right.