Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#91

Post by projectileboy » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:12 PM UTC

sunwicked1 wrote: post #59

New Habit: Learn something daily - Learning French: I finished Duolingo app's course, now experimenting with plugins and more apps to learn French. - Learning Ukulele: I picked it some 6 months back. Still, a long way to go. Benefit: 1)When I encounter something difficult to learn, I panic less. I understand the incremental process and the highs and lows of learning a new skill/concept. 2)The fun of learning, knowing…

I strongly recommend Pimsleur language courses as an addition to Duolingo. They’re especially great if you spend any time in a car.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#92

Post by CabSauce » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:13 PM UTC

ddtaylor wrote: post #86

I stopped playing Heroes of the Storm and any games that aren't relaxing. If I am going to take some time off and play a game, I just play a simple retro console game. Play sessions are 15 minutes instead of 4+ hours. Not worried about "losing" or being griefed, etc. I don't care about "getting to the next level" or "opening up a loot crate" or any of that gamification / skinner-box stuff anymore.

Stardew Valley is incredible for this. I can just play an in-game day or two, and it's incredibly chill.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#93

Post by pdxgene » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:14 PM UTC

antocv wrote: post #23

Turn off all notifications on smart-phone, every single notification which pops up, a led blinks, a "notification" appears, if its not emergency from my wife - this has to be blocked. Side effect, no need to check my phone, there is nothing there anymore. Feeds like reddit, HN, email, all settings and username is only on work-laptop with its own instance of browser - browsing these feeds on any other web-browser mean…

I severely cut back on notifications -- down to just a few apps (SMS/messaging, home security, calendar), and it's had a remarkable impact on my phone use.

The other major change I made was to disable badge notifications on all apps. No more little red number telling me how many unread emails I have, etc. This has had a much greater positive impact than I had thought it would -- I don't find myself compulsively drawn into apps by the lure of "new stuff", and have cut down on my screen time considerably.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#94

Post by ddtaylor » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:15 PM UTC

CabSauce wrote: post #92

ddtaylor wrote: post #86

I stopped playing Heroes of the Storm and any games that aren't relaxing. If I am going to take some time off and play a game, I just play a simple retro console game. Play sessions are 15 minutes instead of 4+ hours. Not worried about "losing" or being griefed, etc. I don't care about "getting to the next level" or "opening up a loot crate" or any of that gamification / skinner-box stuff anymore.

Stardew Valley is incredible for this. I can just play an in-game day or two, and it's incredibly chill.

This is actually another game that I have done this in the past with. I would play an in-game day then do some tasks and repeat.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#95

Post by pdxgene » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:16 PM UTC

leonroy wrote: post #33

Stop buying stuff. I was a compulsive spender. Never bought on credit mind but I’d blow my entire paycheque after bills on stuff like cameras, hifi, the latest Apple doodad, etc. I literally stopped buying anything not required for my day to day sustenance. No Netflix, started renting what I wanted to watch which forced me to be more picky with my expenditure and time. No more eating out except for special occasions.…

I moved across the US a year ago, and moving with a single suitcase (until the moving truck arrived, months later) re-taught me how little I need in order to live comfortably.

Since then, I've been aggressively paring back my "material footprint", and every thing I shed makes me feel a little lighter.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#96

Post by busterarm » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:16 PM UTC

ddtaylor wrote: post #86

I stopped playing Heroes of the Storm and any games that aren't relaxing. If I am going to take some time off and play a game, I just play a simple retro console game. Play sessions are 15 minutes instead of 4+ hours. Not worried about "losing" or being griefed, etc. I don't care about "getting to the next level" or "opening up a loot crate" or any of that gamification / skinner-box stuff anymore.

Longtime DOTA player and I definitely find that I have to take extended breaks from the game from time to time...especially at times like this when Valve is running a compendium and the more toxic players come back into the fold for whatever reason (shinies!).

It's a shame because it's one of the best games I've ever played, but it is a stressful habit that sucks a ton of time .

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#97

Post by gw » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:16 PM UTC

I started waking up at 5 AM, and for me it's turned out to be the habit that enables all other good habits.

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#98

Post by rkangel » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:17 PM UTC

christophilus wrote: post #85

pinkgodzilla wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would like to add "habit of drinking water" to this list. ANY beverage whether its coffee, soda, tea - is easily 4 to 6 dollars and is an entirely made up requirement.

Would like to add making your own water Kefir to the list as a replacement for soda. Super inexpensive, relatively easy, really healthy, and tasty.

I've been looking for non sugary, non caffeinated soft drinks. I can Google, but do you recommend any particular recipe or instructions?

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#99

Post by choerst » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:17 PM UTC

marenkay wrote: post #84

I've always been an engineer and enjoyed being that for almost 25 years now. Learning new things was kind of my way to end my work days. One thing I admired and never really understood was people that went out every day posting new content, tech tutorials etc. almost daily, being active on Twitter, engaging with other people. Being a kid from the 1970s these things were really weird for me because they are digital an…

Your blog looks quite nice. Which blogging software or static site generator do you use if I may ask?

Re: Ask HN: Is there a new habit you cultivated recently that is really paying off?

#100

Post by pdxgene » Tue, Jun 12, 2018, 1:17 PM UTC

Swimming laps most mornings. I never had the discipline to learn to swim properly when I was younger, and have always been an avid runner and cycler. Adding swimming into the mix has balanced out my conditioning, and the meditative state you can achieve while in the zone is great for creative problem solving. Highly recommended.