Useful tools and routines that I have found to increase reduce akrasia, increase productivity:
Methylphenidate +8
Promotes willpower, focus and persistence;
Well it’s on a prescription, so my experiences might not be transferable to you. I get a lot of mileage out of Ritalin. Methylphenidate makes me focused, but I need to be careful in order to to focus on the right things, or it would only make me a more tenacious procrastinator. No significant side-effects, except a slight reduction of appetite. Some might see this as a bonus.
Melatonin +7
Prevents delayed sleep onset, keeps circadian rhythm in check.
I tend not to get very tired in the evenings. As a consequence I often sleep less than I should. 2mg of melatonin an hour or two before going to bed makes it effortless to wind down and hit the hay at a sensible time. No negative side-effects experienced.
Leechblock +5
Increases productivity by killing Wikipedia, Less Wrong and other fun time-sinks.
No cost beyond the few minutes it takes to set up appropriate filters. Keeping more than one browser on the computer makes it possible to research something should the need arise. Saves a couple of minutes or hours every time it kicks in. The benefit isn’t huge, but the cost is next to nothing.
High intensity aerobic exercise +5
Four times four minutes of intense exercise per workout, three sessions per week.
Reduces stress, increases well-being, makes me less inclined to procrastinate.
Positive effects on cognitive endurance. Said to decrease the level of cortisol in the bloodstream, reducing stress. Also said to up-regulate production of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor, endorphins, and other beneficial hormones and neurotrophic proteins. Increased physical endurance come as a bonus, if you care about that sort of thing.
+7 for beneficial effects, −2 for the time and effort required.
Meditation; +5
Mindfulness meditation, 30 minutes daily.
Promotes reflection and allows the things that really matter to float to the top of my mind, reduces cognitive stress.
+7 for effect, −2 for the cost in time and mental effort.
To me, the above strategies work better in sum than by themselves.
Beneficial effects add up over time, and the pay-off makes each well worth the cost.
Nothing really new here, but my experiences seem to fall in line with those of others.
Useful tools and routines that I have found to increase reduce akrasia, increase productivity:
Methylphenidate +8
Promotes willpower, focus and persistence;
Well it’s on a prescription, so my experiences might not be transferable to you. I get a lot of mileage out of Ritalin. Methylphenidate makes me focused, but I need to be careful in order to to focus on the right things, or it would only make me a more tenacious procrastinator. No significant side-effects, except a slight reduction of appetite. Some might see this as a bonus.
Melatonin +7
Prevents delayed sleep onset, keeps circadian rhythm in check.
I tend not to get very tired in the evenings. As a consequence I often sleep less than I should. 2mg of melatonin an hour or two before going to bed makes it effortless to wind down and hit the hay at a sensible time. No negative side-effects experienced.
Leechblock +5
Increases productivity by killing Wikipedia, Less Wrong and other fun time-sinks.
No cost beyond the few minutes it takes to set up appropriate filters. Keeping more than one browser on the computer makes it possible to research something should the need arise. Saves a couple of minutes or hours every time it kicks in. The benefit isn’t huge, but the cost is next to nothing.
High intensity aerobic exercise +5
Four times four minutes of intense exercise per workout, three sessions per week.
Reduces stress, increases well-being, makes me less inclined to procrastinate. Positive effects on cognitive endurance. Said to decrease the level of cortisol in the bloodstream, reducing stress. Also said to up-regulate production of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor, endorphins, and other beneficial hormones and neurotrophic proteins. Increased physical endurance come as a bonus, if you care about that sort of thing.
+7 for beneficial effects, −2 for the time and effort required.
Meditation; +5
Mindfulness meditation, 30 minutes daily.
Promotes reflection and allows the things that really matter to float to the top of my mind, reduces cognitive stress.
+7 for effect, −2 for the cost in time and mental effort.
To me, the above strategies work better in sum than by themselves. Beneficial effects add up over time, and the pay-off makes each well worth the cost.
Nothing really new here, but my experiences seem to fall in line with those of others.