To be honest, I can’t remember using the technique a single time. The highest-value thing I read recently was object-level: Zvi’s post on how to use Claude code, the most useful part of which linked another guide.
I consider the consequences of my actions all the time, both consciously and subconsciously. So perhaps I already have a “good enough” version of this technique running. The likely outcomes of my actions are usually obvious; I rarely have cause to step back and ask myself “what are you about to do and what do you think will happen next?”
When I ask myself, “In what situations would you benefit from being more aware of what you are about to do and the likely consequences?”, the examples that come to mind are akrasia-related. For example, if I procrastinate during the first hour I spend at my desk, it’s hard to be productive for the rest of the day. If I am productive during the first hour I spend at my desk, it’s hard not to be productive for the rest of the day. It’s all about momentum (see Steam).
So, the best object-level application of this post I can think of, is to remember, as soon as I sit down at my desk: “If you force yourself to work for 5 minutes right now, work will be effortless and fun for the rest of the day.”
Feel free to ask in a year whether this object-level application provided lasting value.
Only 14 months later, but: did it provide lasting value?
To be honest, I can’t remember using the technique a single time. The highest-value thing I read recently was object-level: Zvi’s post on how to use Claude code, the most useful part of which linked another guide.
I consider the consequences of my actions all the time, both consciously and subconsciously. So perhaps I already have a “good enough” version of this technique running. The likely outcomes of my actions are usually obvious; I rarely have cause to step back and ask myself “what are you about to do and what do you think will happen next?”
When I ask myself, “In what situations would you benefit from being more aware of what you are about to do and the likely consequences?”, the examples that come to mind are akrasia-related. For example, if I procrastinate during the first hour I spend at my desk, it’s hard to be productive for the rest of the day. If I am productive during the first hour I spend at my desk, it’s hard not to be productive for the rest of the day. It’s all about momentum (see Steam).
So, the best object-level application of this post I can think of, is to remember, as soon as I sit down at my desk: “If you force yourself to work for 5 minutes right now, work will be effortless and fun for the rest of the day.”
Feel free to ask in a year whether this object-level application provided lasting value.