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Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

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Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#31

Post by keiferski »

mozman wrote: post #30
keiferski wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anki_(software) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaced_repetition

Oh, flash cards. I’ve never used them but memory is a muscle and it must be exercised. There has to be something more fun, though.

Spaced repetition, through flash cards or another tool, is pretty much the gold standard in terms of optimizing your memory. It really doesn't get much better than that. Flash cards aren't super exciting, but realistically even 15-20 minutes a day is enough to learn and remember a ton of stuff.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#32

Post by __rito__ »

nunez wrote: post #25
sirspacey wrote: post #3

Sleep is the key. Repeated lack of sleep has an extreme impact on cognition and memory retrieval. A few things that have helped me: #1 sleep in a completely dark room. A specialist MD shared this insight with me and it changed my life. I also use an eye mask and white noise machine. #2 use a call recording tool on your internal meetings that can summarize notes. Being able to go back “in time” to a call often has ena…

On the topic of white-noise machines: There are headphones out there that are purpose-built to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. My favorites right now are SoundOFFs, which emit pink noise, no apps required. I'm also going to experiment with the Ozlu Sleepbuds, which many are calling the unofficial Bose Sleepbuds III since Bose discontinued the second iteration of these buds and sold off much of the…

Having an headphone on ears for 6-9 hours continuous- isn't that harmful for health?

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#33

Post by usgroup »

In many situations, it is difficult to attribute causality to age because it is correlated with so many other things. Age brings with it kids, side quests, sleepless nights, partners, and so on. There is also a creeping apathy towards the Nth repetition of the same technical challenges which makes us less attentive to their differences. If you play chess, note how much worse at it you are when you do not focus.

As a general tip, I typically say don't take notes, don't use spell checkers, don't scribble thoughts, and so on. Young or old, these are crutches you'll only ever lean on more as time goes on. Meanwhile, you'll get better at mentally storing, organising and imagining if you do it more, or at the least, you'll retain these abilities for longer.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#34

Post by funcDropShadow »

In addition to all the sleep related advice, look into your nutrition. I found Max Lugavere's book Genius Foods extremely helpful.

Also look into your stress level, zen meditation can do wonders for it. In my experience mediation also helps with sleep deprivation.

> I'm finding I need to take much more detailed notes

There is nothing wrong with that. Create a habit to always take notes. This helps remembering what was said and if that is not enough, you can even read your notes.

Although, I use org-mode and denote in Emacs with a Zettelkasten style setup to keep my work related notes nowadays. I would argue that everybody should start taking notes on paper. Get a well bound leather notebook, a nice pen. Open it at the start of every meeting, write the date, time and title of the meeting and keep doodling. That does so much for my attention, concentration in the meetings and recall of the meetings.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#36

Post by mehh »

Yeah but don’t worry about it, benefit of maturity and wisdom and seniority, is you can forget son minor details.

Sleep, exercise, testosterone sups (nothing crazy) and some quite time to compose your thoughts will all help, you need to take some dedicated time/care for yourself, and you’ll be fine.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#37

Post by t_von_doom »

My manager is experiencing the same due to a bout of long covid.

The way it appears he is dealing with it, from my perspective, is he has delegated the things which require immediate memory/cognition to us and is leveraging his expertise to direct us at a higher level and trusting us to execute and feed back pertinent information when we next check in.

While I feel for his worsening condition he has managed to do negotiate this in a way that:

1. Leverages his knowledge, expertise and network to a greater degree

2. Given us autonomy that feels empowering, while not increasing our workload to pick up his perceived slack.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with memory/cognition slowing down as an engineering leader?

#40

Post by Rastonbury »

sumsome wrote: post #16

if you mean it: fast 16 hours every day. this will boost your cognition right from the start. 23+ hours fasts once or twice a month. kills my old mans' ADHD and improves early alzheimers symptoms. reduce fat intake to your personal min requirement. controlled sleep deprivation, meaning no stress at all, every once in a while, 48 h, to 'reset the brain', no liquor, 16h+ fasts, coffee is ok. sounds like nonsense but tr…

You stay up for 48h every once in awhile? What does no stress mean exactly and how do you feel after?
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