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Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

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Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#21

Post by jyriand »

1) You could try doing TDD. Each passing test will give you instant gratification. You could even try doing Acceptance Test-Driven Development. Basically you start by writing end-to-end test and implementing minimal code to make it pass. After that you will go one level deeper etc. I would suggest reading "Growing Object-Oriented Software Guided by Tests", this will give you a good overview of the method.

2) Also, if you can choose language to work with, you can try languages that allow you to work in the REPL. That way you can have instant feedback loop and feel satisfied even when you get some small functions working.

3) Pomodoro technique.

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#22

Post by corobo »

pjc50 wrote: post #11

> taking the easiest solution that may solve the problem only partially, just for the instant gratification it gives. This isn't necessarily bad. "YAGNI", after all. In a work programming context, if you're trying to work up the motivation to do it properly rather than hack it, can I suggest a variant on "rubber duck debugging"? Simply find a more diligent co-worker and discuss the short and long solutions. When they…

> socially committed

I've found the opposite to be true unfortunately. I can work on a project for hours and hours but the moment I say something about it to a friend, coworker, spouse the motivation to complete it just dies. Very odd effect and sucks when you're trying to release a product MVP

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#24

Post by unit91 »

eeZah7Ux wrote: post #18
strawcomb wrote: post #16

Some things I'd recommend, off the top of my head: - Do not grab phone/computer etc. and mindlessly browse first thing in the morning. (Or before bed. Or at any time really.) But doing it first thing really starts your day on the wrong foot. - When seeking to relax, do not mindlessly browse the internet/social-media/tv. Read an enjoyable book. This is an order of magnitude more fulfilling and beneficial to you. And g…

> already flexed your self discipline muscle ...what? Is there any evidence that self discipline needs to warm up?

Is there any evidence that the author's life experiences aren't valid until someone documents them in a laboratory setting?

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#25

Post by corobo »

unit91 wrote: post #24
eeZah7Ux wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> already flexed your self discipline muscle ...what? Is there any evidence that self discipline needs to warm up?

Is there any evidence that the author's life experiences aren't valid until someone documents them in a laboratory setting?

Yeah, sort of. In terms of saying "this works for me so it works for everyone" anyway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#26

Post by dolessdrugs »

eeZah7Ux wrote: post #18
strawcomb wrote: post #16

Some things I'd recommend, off the top of my head: - Do not grab phone/computer etc. and mindlessly browse first thing in the morning. (Or before bed. Or at any time really.) But doing it first thing really starts your day on the wrong foot. - When seeking to relax, do not mindlessly browse the internet/social-media/tv. Read an enjoyable book. This is an order of magnitude more fulfilling and beneficial to you. And g…

> already flexed your self discipline muscle ...what? Is there any evidence that self discipline needs to warm up?

It's less of a warm up and more of a habit. You've done it once, you'll be more likely to continue to do it throughout the day.

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#27

Post by kichuku »

I too second the recommendation for "Deep Work" by Carl Newport (http://calnewport.com/books/deep-work/ ). This is one book which is a must-read for all the current generation technology workers like us. I started reading this book about two weeks back and I have finished reading 90% of the book. Already I am seeing tremendous improvement in my day-to-day life.

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#28

Post by kichuku »

kichuku wrote: post #27

I too second the recommendation for "Deep Work" by Carl Newport ( http://calnewport.com/books/deep-work/ ). This is one book which is a must-read for all the current generation technology workers like us. I started reading this book about two weeks back and I have finished reading 90% of the book. Already I am seeing tremendous improvement in my day-to-day life.

The exact answer to your question is explained in this book and Carl calls it as "Deep Work".

Re: Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification?

#30

Post by rajadigopula »

Simple. (Purely my personal opinion)

1) Divide the complex problem into small yet challenging chunks of problems.

2) Totally forget about the large/complex problem.

3) Focus/Solve one problem at a time, the way you already do.

4) In the end, ask someone else to weave the individual solutions to solve the original problem. (or DIY if you prefer to!)

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