Spaced repetition. It's a method of learning where you only get a reminder of material when you're about to forget it. I've found a way to use spaced repetition to self-learn maths without forgetting processes between obsessive cycles. I memorize names, birthdays, dates, locations, and anything else I want to remember much easier than before because of it.
Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
21–30 of 839 posts
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#22Nick Cave, on writer's block: "My advice to you is to change your basic relationship to songwriting. You are not the ‘Great Creator’ of your songs, you are simply their servant, and the songs will come to you when you have adequately prepared yourself to receive them. They are not inside you, unable to get out; rather, they are outside of you, unable to get in." https://www.theredhandfiles.com/do-u-have-any-spare-lyr…
That's interesting considering it sounds to me that he approaches songwriting like work rather than something he has a lack of control over: "He gets up early, goes to work in his office (a flat connected to his house in Hove), does an honest day’s work, returns home in the evening to his wife and kids, and starts out again the next day."[1]
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/23/popandrock.fea...
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#23"Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water".
before with a frown, and after with a smile though?
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#24We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.
Confucius
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#25"Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water".
What
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#26"Nothing is ever personal." The way people treat you, has nothing to do with you. They are just living out their own stories. Related idea: "You train others how to treat you." Think reinforcement learning as applied to training a dog. (And I love dogs, have the deepest respect for them). The concept isn't that different when applied to our social interactions.
You'd be surprised how hard it is to internalize the first principle. The mind can become very attached to the feeling of being attacked / rejected / overlooked / snubbed / etc.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#27"Less is more"
Applicable to programming, applicable to life. Covers everything from device convergence to PR reviews to retirement planning.
I discovered that spending less on personal happiness brought me more personal happiness. Try it sometime, give yourself permission to give away half of your stuff and see if you don't feel better.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#28“The universe is a cruel, uncaring void. The key to being happy isn't a search for meaning. It's to just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense, and eventually, you'll be dead.”
Thanks Mr.Peanutbutter
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#29It is impossible to think of anything at all in the world, or indeed even beyond it, that could be taken to be good without limitation, except a good will.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#30Good ideas are grown, not found.