Well, for productivity, I’ve got a notebook where I quantify everything useful I do (and then run the stats using a website), and I’ve been using the Pomodoro method. Some introspection: I realized that I don’t ask myself enough questions about what I’m learning, so I give myself “points” for questions posed. Everything I want to do more of (problems, concepts learned, exercise, errands) nets me positive points; everything I want to do less of (eating out, daytime sleeping, websurfing) gets me negative points. I also have an internet blocker that’s been working out well for me. I’ve been reflecting regularly on what I want and what I’m doing it all for.
For having a better relationship with the truth—being less afraid to find out unpleasant truths, being more eager to find out the state of reality—I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but one thing that helps is being in contact with supportive friends. It gives a sense that no matter what I discover, I can be honest with myself and others, and still be emotionally “safe.” The other thing I’m trying to remember is to be more detail oriented, to recall that small or seemingly dull details often aren’t superfluous, but essential. (Mathematical example: realizing that functors really have to be functorial or the results will be awful—demonstrating functoriality isn’t just a busy-work exercise.)
I have found that the best way to make myself ask questions about what I am learning is to force myself to take notes in my own words about what I have just read. It forces me to really think about what is important about the material.
I discovered this when my job involved doing a lot of software design reviews; the only way I could make myself actually review the design (rather than read the design and nod my head) was to write my own summary document of what the design was.
This was particularly true for noticing important things that were missing (as opposed to noticing things that were there and false).
I’ve been using Joe’s Goals. I like it because it’s exactly what I was looking for. You can choose positive goals (things you want to do more of) and negative goals (things you want to do less of) and assign a weight to each. For instance, I get +4 for each homework problem I do. Then you can see a graph of total score or a spreadsheet of individual goals, over any time period you want.
If I succeed with what I’m aiming for (I’ll know somewhere around May) I’ll write a post about my experiences and what worked for me in terms of anti-akrasia techniques.
I often find, when I’m reading successful people’s self-descriptions of what they do, that I think “Maybe that person’s just naturally awesome and the same tactic would be impossible or useless for a mere mortal like me.” So I’m saying this now. I am a mere mortal. If I succeed, it will be because of the changes I’m now making in my life, not because of my intrinsic superpowers. And that means you’ll be able to follow my example.
What habits or tricks are helping you apply things in real life, that Less Wrong isn’t explicitly teaching?
Well, for productivity, I’ve got a notebook where I quantify everything useful I do (and then run the stats using a website), and I’ve been using the Pomodoro method. Some introspection: I realized that I don’t ask myself enough questions about what I’m learning, so I give myself “points” for questions posed. Everything I want to do more of (problems, concepts learned, exercise, errands) nets me positive points; everything I want to do less of (eating out, daytime sleeping, websurfing) gets me negative points. I also have an internet blocker that’s been working out well for me. I’ve been reflecting regularly on what I want and what I’m doing it all for.
For having a better relationship with the truth—being less afraid to find out unpleasant truths, being more eager to find out the state of reality—I haven’t got it all figured out yet, but one thing that helps is being in contact with supportive friends. It gives a sense that no matter what I discover, I can be honest with myself and others, and still be emotionally “safe.” The other thing I’m trying to remember is to be more detail oriented, to recall that small or seemingly dull details often aren’t superfluous, but essential. (Mathematical example: realizing that functors really have to be functorial or the results will be awful—demonstrating functoriality isn’t just a busy-work exercise.)
I have found that the best way to make myself ask questions about what I am learning is to force myself to take notes in my own words about what I have just read. It forces me to really think about what is important about the material.
(nods) Yes.
I discovered this when my job involved doing a lot of software design reviews; the only way I could make myself actually review the design (rather than read the design and nod my head) was to write my own summary document of what the design was.
This was particularly true for noticing important things that were missing (as opposed to noticing things that were there and false).
I’m looking for a good tracking / analysis site. Has yours earned a positive recommendation?
I’ve been using Joe’s Goals. I like it because it’s exactly what I was looking for. You can choose positive goals (things you want to do more of) and negative goals (things you want to do less of) and assign a weight to each. For instance, I get +4 for each homework problem I do. Then you can see a graph of total score or a spreadsheet of individual goals, over any time period you want.
If I succeed with what I’m aiming for (I’ll know somewhere around May) I’ll write a post about my experiences and what worked for me in terms of anti-akrasia techniques.
I often find, when I’m reading successful people’s self-descriptions of what they do, that I think “Maybe that person’s just naturally awesome and the same tactic would be impossible or useless for a mere mortal like me.” So I’m saying this now. I am a mere mortal. If I succeed, it will be because of the changes I’m now making in my life, not because of my intrinsic superpowers. And that means you’ll be able to follow my example.