Ask HN: How does one overcome the need for instant gratification? • Hacker News Board

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

#31

Post by brango » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:40 PM UTC

matt4077 wrote: post #8

Several thoughts, somewhat unsorted: - There could be an underlying medical problem. Mild depression often has low willpower as the most noticeable effect. If it's not too much of a hassle, maybe get your thyroid checked. And whatever works for depression should usually work for your problem as well, exercise unfortunately being the most effective - If what you're doing really doesn't interest you, it doesn't make mu…

> Somehow get your hands on ADHD meds

Are you a qualified medical doctor?

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

#32

Post by sidcool » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:41 PM UTC

laktek wrote: post #7

I recommend reading Deep Work by Cal Newport. There are some good techniques explained in it.

Just bought a hard copy. Thanks.

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

#33

Post by sjg007 » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:41 PM UTC

Solve the problem the first way. Take a step back and see how the solution might break or doesn't work. Solve the problem again. Repeat.

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

#34

Post by amine_benselim » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:42 PM UTC

one thing that really helped me is working out, when you are building muscles, the result is only visible after a few months, that is how i got to enjoy and grasp the benefits of delayed gratification

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

#35

Post by nemacol » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:43 PM UTC

degenerate wrote: post #19

Non-ironically, I watch this video every couple months to remember all my problems are first-world problems and I need to remember how good I have it: https://vimeo.com/69662330 That helps with the instant gratification problem for me.

I watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI http://www.metastatic.org/text/This%20is%20Water.pdf

This is Water - David Foster Wallace Commencement Speech.

I watch this from time to time for a similar reasons.

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

#36

Post by andai » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:44 PM UTC

I'm surprised no one mentioned meditation yet!

A regular meditation practice helps with impulse control (sitting still for X minutes requires exercising self control) and that will help with resisting the urge to do tasks which are immediately gratifying, which will free up time and energy for activities which lead to long term growth.

Two things really helped me with meditation: setting a timer, and meditating every day.

Insight Timer (not affiliated) helped with both of these, keeping track of how many days in a row you've meditated, and allows you to set daily reminders.

There are also guided meditations available (in the app or YouTube if you prefer) if you are just starting out.

Best wishes!

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

#37

Post by voiper1 » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:49 PM UTC

When I face a problem that I don't know how to deal with, I try thinking about it. But that's a very unfocused, ungrounded issue.

I've found some help with typing out, free-flowing style: "What's the issue? Why is this difficult? What are my options? How can I fix it?". YMMV.

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

#38

Post by bitL » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:56 PM UTC

Well, think twice if you really want to go that way. From my own repeating experience, you spend years working on some insanely difficult problem, making you feel miserable all the time, then once you accomplish it you have your 15 minutes of chemical euphoria in your brain; in a week or so everybody around you starts treating it as nothing interesting anymore, and your bosses induce themselves even daily a similar feeling you had from your accomplishment by snorting cocaine, inflating their egos. In addition, all the "easy problem, low hanging-fruit" solvers that rank high in popularity contests will overtake you.

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

#39

Post by bitexploder » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:56 PM UTC

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.

Cal Newport (not Carl) -- just in case anyone is searching by author.

Thirded. Read his book. Do what he says.

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

#40

Post by sharemywin » Wed, Jul 12, 2017, 12:57 PM UTC

Weird I'm kind of the opposite. I will procrastinate before I start something big usually a day or two and then it's kind of like my subconscious gives me the answer. And I'm like that's how I need to do this. This has to do more with design than programming tasks.