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Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

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Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#351

Post by Xplosiveoctopus »

sametmax wrote: post #202

I try to avoid using my brain for anything I can automate using all the classic technics: GTD, checklists for so many things, 5S, labelling/attributing places, delegating, 5 seconds rules, etc. Just like the code with less bug is the code you don't write, the thoughts with the fewer errors are the ones you don't make. Plus it saves time and energy for the thinking that matters. Honestly, this should be taugh at schoo…

Hi, I’ve re-discovered GTD recently and I’m blown away by the depth of the book and the possibilities it has opened for me. I’ve got a few people interested and started on GTD. I’m yet to finish my first weekly review, but that’s not my point...

I’d like to ask you to share more info about those other things you’ve mentioned, because if you consider GTD valuable, then I’d like to know about what else have you benefited from and why.

I know about the 5 second rule. I’ve read the book.

Thank you.

P.s. it was weird finding only one comment about GTD.

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#353

Post by SpecialistEMT »

nothrabannosir wrote: post #215

“If I’m getting upset, I’m probably wrong.” It’s a specific kind of feeling, when my brain starts protecting itself against information that proves me wrong. Kind of like a real threat. It feels like I’m under attack, and I’m losing. I get subtly upset (because I’m a know-it-all and I want to be right), which is itself quickly reframed as anger, probably by that same mechanism. Probably much easier to admit that I’m…

“If I’m getting upset, I’m probably wrong.”

Perfect centrist mindset.

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#354

Post by Wowfunhappy »

mrhappyunhappy wrote: post #97
anoncake wrote: post #61

I never go through a door without touching my keys. Must have saved me hundreds in locksmith costs.

That sounds like it could develop into unhealthy behavior. Glad it works for you though. Personally I do the 3 pocket pat down every time. Left, right, back. Keys, phone, wallet. If either pocket is empty then something is seriously wrong.

> Personally I do the 3 pocket pat down every time. Left, right, back. Keys, phone, wallet.

Sometimes I'll do this while I'm using my phone, and momentarily freak out because my phone pocket is empty.

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#355

Post by Simulacra »

option_greek wrote: post #16
tlackemann wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm glad to see someone else mention cannabis. It honestly has helped me so much with slowing down and making sure I put in the time to search for answers. It's helped me creatively and passionately. It's helped me calm down my anxiety in stressful situations and be clearheaded with my thoughts. It's not for everyone but for those that do use it, I sincerely believe it works.

Having never tried it, I'm curious, isn't there a chance that it turns into an addiction ?

Not addiction per say… But there is a great dependency with it. In my humble opinion, cannabis reward you for doing nothing. If feels wonderful and it keeps that do nothing reward loop going.

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#356

Post by Simulacra »

RankingMember wrote: post #23
Simulacra wrote: post #2

Two things: I use brown/white noise a lot to quiet my ADHD and general mental chaos. Whenever possible I steal myself away and just bask in the low, dull roar of the noise in some earbuds. The other, cannabis.

For this purpose (ADHD quieting), do you tend towards a sativa or an indica-dominant product?

It depends. Sativa variance have a real calming affect when it comes to the anxiety that’s induced by my ADHD. So for day-to-day use, I stick with sativa’s. When I’m trying to settle down and go to sleep, I’ll switch to an Indica

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#357

Post by andrei_says_ »

kilimchoi wrote: post #301
andrei_says_ wrote: post #282

I focus on the body, breathing, omnidirectional attention.

hey i want to ask you about email builder with version control. What would be the best way to reach out to you?

aaandre@gmail.com

I’m about to start on v.2, would love to talk.

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#358

Post by PaulStatezny »

whitepoplar wrote: post #147
n00bdude wrote: post #69

I use earplugs when doing work in any environment that's not quiet. What's nice about earplugs is (1) it cuts off only a 'layer' of sound that I find inhibits focus and (2) your hearing adjusts; you can still hear virtually everything happening around you. Being in the city, I find myself actually sporting earplugs virtually everywhere I go .. There's just soo much noise.

Which earplugs do you use? I find that my ears get very irritated using earplugs for extended periods.

I use these and they're great!!

https://www.amazon.com/Rave-High-Fidelity-Ear-Plugs/dp/B078M...

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#359

Post by DeepWorker »

cdicelico wrote: post #78

My top 3, in order of how I try to apply them (i.e., if 1 doesn't help, move on to 2, etc.). I learned these all from reading various philosophy works, by the way, so perhaps cognitive hack #1 should be "read books". 1) Suspension of judgement (from Sextus Empiricus, Zhuang Zi, Ecclesiastes): avoid forming an opinion at all about things that are not evident. The way I do this is by thinking through an opposing argume…

Where can I learn more about 3)?

Re: Ask HN: What are your “brain hacks” that help you manage everyday situations?

#360

Post by DeepWorker »

barbs wrote: post #240
Hoasi wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found a simple 3 columns list to be useful to visualize tasks. | To Do | Doing | Done |

Wouldn't this be hard to move items if it's written down? Unless you're using some sort of program like Trello?

Any to-do list apps with labels should do the trick. I'm currently using Todoist but labels is a premium feature.
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