Self-control is a limited resource, use it sparingly.

Post by Mz » Sun, Mar 21, 2010, 3:18 PM UTC

andrewcooke wrote: post #2

interesting. i realise that there must be much more evidence and study than is contained in that article, but it struck me that for the particular experiment they gave the people with the harder task may have a stronger sense of being "owed" something, since they made more effort, and that maybe this stronger sense of entitlement leads them to take more rewards...?

I was going to make much the same point (before skimming the responses to see if it would be a duplicate).

I will add that maybe some people felt not only 'owed' something but an urge for vengeance. The stricter test condition is not merely one requiring 'self control' but is rather draconian in the degree to which it requires self-control. There is a difference between expecting self-restraint and imposing hardship on people. "What goes around comes around". When you crap on people for purposes of your so-called experiments, don't be all shocked when they crap on you if given the opportunity.

Post by apitaru » Sun, Mar 21, 2010, 3:31 PM UTC

I’ve experienced what the article describes first hand when my son was born two months ago. For whatever it’s worth, here are my 2c for other HN readers who are babying a startup while starting up a baby:

Even after my sleeping patterns returned to normal, it was harder to deal with some of the more annoying parts of startup-life. Here’s what it took to get my work stamina back on track:

I’m now doing one thing at a time, wholeheartedly. I don’t think of work when with baby. I don’t think of baby when at work. Sounds trivial, but easier said then done. I use whatever self-control I have left on this.

I separate work and home with an indulging buffer activity. Preferably something that also nourishes the body like mild exercise (but even if not that’s ok). What works now is biking a few miles between home and work, with a short pit stop at my favorite coffee shop.

Took me a couple months to get this to work, and it takes energy to keep it optimized. But when it clicks right, be prepared for a powerful feedback loop of goodness.

Re: Self-control is a limited resource, use it sparingly.

Re: Self-control is a limited resource, use it sparingly.