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Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

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Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#11

Post by jraby3 »

danielvaughn wrote: post #3

My problem is that I get excited about different things with far too much frequency. This past week I've become obsessed with a video game idea. The week before I was obsessed with a design app that I'm working on.

I had this problem but then realized that’s the way to get nothing done. Makes much more sense to commit to ideas for a specified period of time before moving onto the next thing.

Some things will stick and some won’t. But I suggest testing each project you’re excited about for at least a month with a daily habit before moving onto another one.

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#13

Post by mikestew »

The author is quoting someone else: “Because every minute spent doing something other than what you love most today is a minute you’re more likely to regret when you’re 80.”

Depending on how literally one takes that, you’re going to be one sorry motherfucker when you’re old. I like taking a shit, but I don’t love it. But I gotta do it, my Yelp review on “taking a shit” notwithstanding.

Personally, I quit being so spoiled that every moment must be filled with things I “love” and have a “passion” for. Oh, I pursue those things. But I’ve also learned to love the mundane. There’s more to washing dishes than you think.

But enough shit talking the post, the take away stands: if you’re not being paid, select your activities carefully. I would add that one select from those one is willing to commit to, if only for a little bit. Keeps you from being flakey: “do not love, next!”

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#14

Post by teekert »

My problem is that I get excited about my current job (at a very large company). I'd love to do my current job, but my way. Open source part of the work, run Linux on my development machine, focus more on the tech, less on the market analyses (we did them but management is not buying in, while I am a firm believer myself). I love to build my own front end, with modern technologies. Too bad the company does not appreciate side projects that potentially compete with them. I understand it of course, I have 0 risk and get to do what I like and they pay me quite well. Sadly I can't afford risk right now. I'd love to start working 80% and spend 10-20% doing it fully my way, and alone, at least at the start.

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#15

Post by nprateem »

danielvaughn wrote: post #3

My problem is that I get excited about different things with far too much frequency. This past week I've become obsessed with a video game idea. The week before I was obsessed with a design app that I'm working on.

> This past week I've become obsessed with a video game idea. The week before I was obsessed with a design app that I'm working on.

But why? What was special about the video game idea that interested you, and the same about the design app?

In my experience I often fail to see things through because they only interest me superficially or are primarily orientated around making money (quickly!).

But I know what I actually want to do (and I'm working towards it), and the reason is that I feel that activity has merit on so many deeper levels than just making money or the intellectual challenge of solving a problem. It aligns more with a sense of purpose than anything else.

So for me now, that's my yardstick. I may still do side projects that don't align with that core goal, but I don't expect too much from them - in fact if they were to actually take off they may get in the way of my core goal which would make the "success" seem pointless.

Perhaps through questioning yourself and digging into your motivations you'll be able to find something that you'll be able to stick with when other things come along competing for your attention.

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#16

Post by TeMPOraL »

danielvaughn wrote: post #3

My problem is that I get excited about different things with far too much frequency. This past week I've become obsessed with a video game idea. The week before I was obsessed with a design app that I'm working on.

I do that too. The top slot in my mind flips between ideas on a weekly basis. Last week it was a videogame. This week it's worldbuilding. Next week it might be something for the job, or it might be an Emacs mode, or who knows.

One thing I've noticed though - regardless of whether or not I do something about my current top most exciting thing, these things come back. The same videogame idea has been visiting me regularly for the past six months. This means that even if I lose steam after a few days of working on something, it's not work lost - I'll probably resume it for a bit a few weeks or months down the line.

On top of that, I've learned to not consider any hard intellectual work as wasted. Things I've researched for random harebrained ideas I later flaked on often find a way to become useful in my dayjob, or a different harebrained idea.

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#17

Post by the_gipsy »

mikestew wrote: post #13

The author is quoting someone else: “Because every minute spent doing something other than what you love most today is a minute you’re more likely to regret when you’re 80.” Depending on how literally one takes that, you’re going to be one sorry motherfucker when you’re old. I like taking a shit, but I don’t love it. But I gotta do it, my Yelp review on “taking a shit” notwithstanding. Personally, I quit being so spo…

> do not love, next!

Ha yes, how will you find anything if you already have everything figured out?

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#18

Post by teekert »

speedgoose wrote: post #7

It's a terrible title for people who can't stop thinking about bad things, such as suicide or smoking as mentioned by other in this thread.

Yeah, whenever I get this advice I always answer (stole from some comedian): Great! But where do I get a Camel, a Midget and a Clowns-costume?

Re: Do whatever you can't stop thinking about

#20

Post by eterm »

david_draco wrote: post #10
danielvaughn wrote: post #3

My problem is that I get excited about different things with far too much frequency. This past week I've become obsessed with a video game idea. The week before I was obsessed with a design app that I'm working on.

That's okay! Accept that many projects started will not go until completion. But many times, you will learn something on the way that you can recycle in a future project. PS: if you don't tell anyone about your "failed" projects, this strategy will make you look like a genius.

I'm similar to OP in that I'll get excited about something but I don't usually get past the very intro before I get bored or frustrated and stop.

So I learn very little, and often restart the same things over and over. Eventually I give up and play computer games because they steer the focus and drip-feed novelty and reward compared to actually doing anything more productive.

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