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Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

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Re: Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

#81

Post by madeuptempacct »

k4ch0w wrote: post #3

The people you spend the most time with affect how you think and what you do.

I originally posted this separately, but then saw your post and am adding it here. What you said and the below were some of the most profound realizations for me, even though it seems so obvious, but the extremely high degree to which this is true isn't that obvious.

---

People are incredibly hard to change.

Spent half a year teaching someone programming. They told me they wanted to learn, etc. Ended up doing most of the bootcamp work for them so I could explain it to them, etc. This person had 5 day breaks where they didn't study a single thing. This also goes with "look at what people do, not what they say, or how they present themselves."

That also comes down to "don't waste time on shitty people." I used to spend time with everyone because of naivety, then I realized just how precious that time is and a lot of people just waste it.

Re: Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

#82

Post by vfinn »

jmmcd wrote: post #47
vfinn wrote: post #16

That all my conventional-sounding musical ideas are easily captured by basic music theory. Even though banging your head against the wall has been useful in developing the ear, avoiding music theory doesn't make any sense since you keep repeating those well-known patterns, and in the end you have to start developing that pattern against pattern type of thinking instead of composing note against note & note after note…

> in the end you have to start developing that pattern against pattern type of thinking in favor of composing note against note & note after note. I think there is a typo, or this is ambiguous. Are you saying you should use "pattern against pattern type of thinking" (and what is that?) or that you shouldn't? You should use "note against note & note after note" or you shouldn't?

Sorry, meant to say "instead of" not "in favor of". I'll edit.

What I meant to say that if you haven't learned the proper classification system that we now have in general music theory (dominant & tonic chords, sus chords, and let's say basic modulation principles), you might walk a long time in the dark looking for "that feeling" or "that continuation".

Re: Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

#83

Post by madeuptempacct »

stuxnet79 wrote: post #79
winkywooster wrote: post #61

How to run.. After I first started running and losing some weight, I became enthusiastic about it. Then with the notions of 'more is better' and 'no pain, no gain', I cranked up the mileage and pushed through the pain. But I learned a hard lesson when I tore a calf muscle. Since then I've learned that form and technique, consistent and gradually harder practice, and getting expert help are necessary to really learn s…

I have to say the same. Especially when it comes to weight training and running. I've developed some issues with my hip and I suspect it's due to running (badly). Bad weight training pretty much wrecked my upper body. How long did it take you to recover from your torn calf muscle? That sounds intense.

Tight IT band + weak glutes = culprit for a lot of hip injuries.

Re: Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

#86

Post by RickS »

aaaaaaaaaab wrote: post #45

It isn’t the most capable person who gets promoted. It’s the person who can make their superiors believe they’re the most capable.

I've got a slightly different take, though I think they have some overlap:

Capability for a job is more than raw competence, which is why most people reject the Brilliant Asshole, even when that person is genuinely brilliant.

I've seen some inarguably mediocre workers get some great roles – and I've worked alongside of some of them. And I loved every minute. If you're cranking out 65% of the work and make the team 400% more enjoyable to be on, that's a worthy form of force-multiplication.

The best teambuilders wield this principle smartly instead of meritocratically rejecting its existence.

This is a great thing to know in job interviews, and lots of otherwise irrational-looking hiring behavior becomes sane when viewed through this lens.

Re: Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

#89

Post by java-man »

jackconnor wrote: post #49

Accept all negative criticism advice as well as you possibly can. If it's just someone being an asshole it's very easy to know that and just ignore, but if it's real it's the most valuable feedback you can get.

This is not going to go well in the US or the British culture...

Re: Ask HN: What did you learn the hard way?

#90

Post by slimshady94 »

There's a limit to grinding it out alone. To grow as fast as possible, you need to learn from those who have already walked your path - you need mentors and good guidance. In both academics and business, social skills and gymming - to go fast, go alone, and to go far, go together.
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