Discipline.
Screw motivation, what you need is discipline.
http://www.wisdomination.com/screw-motivation-what-you-need-...
Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
41–50 of 70 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
I understand what you're saying, but the internet is the most enabling technology in history for learning.. to not use it at all because you might misuse it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater and doing yourself a serious disservice. Avoiding procrastination is about discipline - if it's a problem, address the root cause, don't just chop off the leaves (sorry for the terrible analogy). Compare it to say, quit…
"If you want to quit smoking, do you ban yourself from entering all places that sell cigarettes, and cut off contact with all your friends who smoke?" Yes, actually that's a great way to quit. Find out what triggers you and avoid it. Changing your environment is incredibly beneficial. "It may not be pleasant but being able to do that == being able to truly control the problem" Who cares about controlling the problem?…
> Who cares about controlling the problem?
Well, if procrastination is liable to hinder you in buckling down to learn things, it's pretty important to find a way to really control it. Otherwise HN/the internet will be just be replaced by some other distraction offline.
How likely is it that your procrastination is really limited to whatever manifestations it currently has on the internet, rather than being a general problem you have to correct?
If it really is limited to certain sites, then getting offline or blocking those sites is a reasonable productivity hack, but otherwise you're just sidestepping the real issue and it'll only come back to bite you in other ways later, no matter how many times you change your environment.
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#43how can you not be learning all the time?
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#44Build something and tell everyone around you that you're building it. Celebrate the small wins with them (share progress).
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#45I'd say get rid of the Internet at home. That's the number one distraction. Personally, I can't read more than a paragraph online without jumping to another page...so just kill that beast. Here's an example...I have all the documentation I could ever want right on my hard drive, but I might spend a few frustrating hours surfing the web trying to figure out something out instead of looking at what I already have. Some…
> I have all the documentation I could ever want right on my hard drive
If you're on a Mac, Dash.app is a great way to read documentation, distraction free. No internet required (after you downloaded the docs you need).
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#46I'd say get rid of the Internet at home. That's the number one distraction. Personally, I can't read more than a paragraph online without jumping to another page...so just kill that beast. Here's an example...I have all the documentation I could ever want right on my hard drive, but I might spend a few frustrating hours surfing the web trying to figure out something out instead of looking at what I already have. Some…
I understand what you're saying, but the internet is the most enabling technology in history for learning.. to not use it at all because you might misuse it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater and doing yourself a serious disservice. Avoiding procrastination is about discipline - if it's a problem, address the root cause, don't just chop off the leaves (sorry for the terrible analogy). Compare it to say, quit…
What is the permanent fix then and also what is the root cause?
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
"If you want to quit smoking, do you ban yourself from entering all places that sell cigarettes, and cut off contact with all your friends who smoke?" Yes, actually that's a great way to quit. Find out what triggers you and avoid it. Changing your environment is incredibly beneficial. "It may not be pleasant but being able to do that == being able to truly control the problem" Who cares about controlling the problem?…
> Who cares about controlling the problem? Well, if procrastination is liable to hinder you in buckling down to learn things, it's pretty important to find a way to really control it. Otherwise HN/the internet will be just be replaced by some other distraction offline. How likely is it that your procrastination is really limited to whatever manifestations it currently has on the internet, rather than being a general…
Is it sidestepping an issue if a person needs a gym membership before they'll exercise? I really don't see a difference here. Environments play into disciplines directly and everyone has their own idea of the perfect space for any given activity.
Going without internet can be a great way to dim the lights and regain focus. It also eases your dependency on convenience and encourages you to plan ahead.
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#48Instead of "buckling down", I have found the opposite the be pretty effective. William James explains: "If, namely, we wish our trains of ideation and volition to be copious and varied and effective, we must form the habit of freeing them from the inhibitive influence of reflection upon them, of egoistic preoccuptation about their results. ... Say to yourself, 'I won't waste another minute on this miserable thing, an…
after all...what is life for? we should all learn how to enjoy it ;-)
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
I understand what you're saying, but the internet is the most enabling technology in history for learning.. to not use it at all because you might misuse it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater and doing yourself a serious disservice. Avoiding procrastination is about discipline - if it's a problem, address the root cause, don't just chop off the leaves (sorry for the terrible analogy). Compare it to say, quit…
What is the permanent fix then and also what is the root cause?
things are always in flux and one must seek a balance...there are no black and white answers, although engineers always want them ;-)
Re: Ask HN: How do I stay motivated to learn?
#50Mark Cuban's advice may be relevant: http://blogmaverick.com/2012/03/18/dont-follow-your-passion-...
Why do people take advice from him? He had one successful business that seemed to be all lucky timing (selling before the bust). At this point he just gets attention because he has money. He doesn't have any useful skills anymore because he hasn't done anything for years.
He was born poor and made himself rich well before Broadcast.com made him a billionaire. Regardless, good advice is good advice.