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Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

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31–40 of 567 posts

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#31
Thinking critically is a finite process, and creativity arises from the vast space of permuting those elements of knowledge, processes, and information.

Breaking things down qualitatively into concepts is a good first step to speculating and hypothesizing about the details and full taxonomy when there are unknowns.

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#32
post #6

Not a single advice, but David Goggins "Can't hurt me" was a game changer for me.

It seems there is a plenty of motivation material like this, but nothing sticked with me. Isn’t that a book that saturates you with willpower and then it fades away in a week? What’s different with it?

I’ve watched another SEAL(?), Jocko Willink. He really charges you with “get up regardless, just do it”. And you get up and effing do it, but the next day comes and the game is over.

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#33
"Everyone wipes their butt the same way"

I couldn't talk properly in certain situations. I was too self-conscious. That meant my communication was poor at workplace. I was too nervous presenting in front of execs and senior leaders.

On the other hand, my friend was fluent and smooth. We both had same roles. After another poor presentation, my friend gently told me "Everyone wipes their butt the same way."

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#35
I've got a few that definitely had an impact on how I act, or perceive a situation.

"Why did you do that?"

"I don't know"

"Then if you don't know why you're doing something, don't do it."

I've heard this convo when I was a teenager, and I believe that it nudged me into having a bit more self-reflection and thoughtfulness than I would have otherwise.

"When people say something to you, most of the time it means either 'I need help' or 'I love you'"

And, closely related: "Don't forget that the person in front of you might just have a bad day".

Those have been immensely useful when dealing with common annoyance from family and strangers alike. It doesn't mean that you have to accept everything, but it certainly help in avoiding getting angry as the default reaction.

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#36

"Everyone wipes their butt the same way" I couldn't talk properly in certain situations. I was too self-conscious. That meant my communication was poor at workplace. I was too nervous presenting in front of execs and senior leaders. On the other hand, my friend was fluent and smooth. We both had same roles. After another poor presentation, my friend gently told me "Everyone wipes their butt the same way."

I just press the button on my Toto Neorest.

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#38
post #14

Well not really changed my life, but somethings I frequently think and try to follow. Try to be nice and helpful to others. Nothing that you do or say will matter after a couple of hundred years. It’s better to regret something you’ve done, than something you haven’t.

> Nothing that you do or say will matter after a couple of hundred years. I don't think this is true at all.

Think of all the people alive 200 years ago. I would say that, for the overwhelmingly vast majority, nothing they said or did matters now.

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#39

Most people will use time to save money. However, your time on earth is limited unless the Silicon Valley weirdos happen to be right. Money is infinite in that you can earn more or get a second job or get a better paying job or whatever. (Obviously only to a point but stay with me). Also: your time does have value or it should since it is limited. What would you pay for an hour of your life "back"? Or an hour to do w…

Agree. It's not just the medium sized things either. It works for the little stuff too.

Give yourself the permission to burn say $25/week on lifestyle. It means you can splash out for the more expensive parking, snack or item without feeling like you have to shop around to go somewhere so you aren't "overcharged".

An example might be if you want a can of coke but the vendor in front of you is charging $2 whereas you know the convenience store 3 minutes walk away would have it for $1. Just buy the thing.

Adjust the $25/week to your income.

Re: Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

#40
post #12

"Take care of your body in your 20s" It's easier to build muscle mass before the age of 30 and the muscle you gain during that time will never go away (with a minimum of training). The earlier you start exercising, the less difficult it will be to maintain your body as you get older. Someone who has never exercised but wants to lose weight by their 40s will have a much harder time than someone who started exercising…

This sounds like a universally good advice. Sometimes, it's really hard to put projects and work aside and devote time to excercise and health. It's not that amusing when you do it alone and really hard to make it a habit in the beginning.
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