I have a problem with never finishing things that I want to work on. I get enthusiastic about them for a while, but then find something else to work on.
I used to have this problem. In my case I think it boiled down to the planning fallicy. I’d start a project, make a little progress, but only then make an honest estimate of how much effort would be required for a shiny outcome. Meanwhile, other ideas for shiny new projects would occur, and these were unencumbered by realistic (or, in fact, any) planning.
Part of my solution is to go ahead and do some project planning on new ideas. I find the process of (and even the ancicipation of) thinking through new project ideas, expanding them, devising solutions to forseen problems etc immensely pleasureable. By doing a fixed amount of planning I get a hit of that along with a (usually sobering) estimate of what it would take.
I used to have this problem. In my case I think it boiled down to the planning fallicy.
That’s a really good point. The first project looked to have some cost X and some benefit Y. Once you start it, all the “unknown unknowns” come out of the woodwork, increasing your estimate of the cost. Let’s say to 3X.
Meanwhile, shiny new project comes along, and you estimate X as the cost again, with payoff Y. So even if you pay attention to costs, if you fall prey to the planning fallacy, it can look like the new project has a better cost benefit ratio.
Have people noticed a potential link between the planning fallacy and akrasia before? After you fall prey to the planning fallacy again and again, you will associate working on your problems with an increase in your problems. How could you ever be motivated to work in such a world?
I used to have this problem. In my case I think it boiled down to the planning fallicy. I’d start a project, make a little progress, but only then make an honest estimate of how much effort would be required for a shiny outcome. Meanwhile, other ideas for shiny new projects would occur, and these were unencumbered by realistic (or, in fact, any) planning.
Part of my solution is to go ahead and do some project planning on new ideas. I find the process of (and even the ancicipation of) thinking through new project ideas, expanding them, devising solutions to forseen problems etc immensely pleasureable. By doing a fixed amount of planning I get a hit of that along with a (usually sobering) estimate of what it would take.
That’s a really good point. The first project looked to have some cost X and some benefit Y. Once you start it, all the “unknown unknowns” come out of the woodwork, increasing your estimate of the cost. Let’s say to 3X.
Meanwhile, shiny new project comes along, and you estimate X as the cost again, with payoff Y. So even if you pay attention to costs, if you fall prey to the planning fallacy, it can look like the new project has a better cost benefit ratio.
Have people noticed a potential link between the planning fallacy and akrasia before? After you fall prey to the planning fallacy again and again, you will associate working on your problems with an increase in your problems. How could you ever be motivated to work in such a world?
thanks, I’ll think about trying that.