Yes, it is long and tiring when we are not properly equipped... but if one makes the attempt to "charge up the batteries" by intensely focusing on chanting and hearing the Holy Names of the Lord at the beginning of one's day, then we see how we get more effective, more relaxed, and as a result, less tired.
We need sufficient rest to keep the body healthy for service to Krishna. Srila Prabhupada recommended 6 hours of rest. Some advanced devotees need less rest than that. Sometimes children may need a little more rest.
I also work in software development. Srila Gurudeva Sankarshan Das Adhikari recommended this formula when I asked him about my difficulty to chant all 16 rounds in the morning.
4 rounds before breakfast - don't eat breakfast if 4 rounds are not chanted
4 rounds before lunch - don't eat lunch if at least 8 rounds are not chanted
4 rounds before dinner - don't eat dinner if at least 12 rounds are not chanted
4 rounds before taking rest - don't take rest if at least 16 rounds are not chanted
The other practice Sankarshan Das Adhikari recommended was the "transcendental sandwich" - 8 rounds of chanting in the morning before starting the working day, along with some hearing, and 8 rounds at night before dinner and some reading.
The key is to pick something, then try one's best to become steady, then when steady, try to improve.
I listen to lectures by Srila Gurudeva Sankarshan Das Adhikari on my way to the office and back home.
Over time, with practice, I am able to chant most of my minimum rounds early in the morning. This morning, I woke up at 5:30 AM instead of my usual waking time of 4:30 AM, because I could only go to bed at 11:30 PM last night after completing my duties at work and home. Today I have only been able to chant 13 rounds, but I also could offer full morning Arati to our deities at home this morning.
Krishna Consciousness is a sweet struggle :-)
Your servant,
Mahabhagavat Das
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