I think people just stopped liking doing hard stuff. (Example: php blog vs searching binary tree). Nowadays is more about memorizing and being "creative" than thinking and problem solving.
Forget Self-Improvement
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Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#22Let me get this straight. If you don't feel like doing something don't do it, even if it's good for you. Great. I'll start eating pizza three times a day, stop bathing, and jerk off more. I used to love HN, but this fake, new-age like philosophizing is getting pretty tired.
Try it. Been there—after a short while you'll see that, in fact, you hate doing these things. It makes you feel sick, and nobody likes feeling sick. You'll learn that you actually like doing things that do good for you (it's not always obvious).
Regarding the article, didn't really like it as well—I think its point is somewhat vague and unconvincing—‘universe trying to tell us something’… And I don't think it's as simple as ‘finding what you love’ (since questions like yours legitimately arise in response), it's more about learning to love what you do first. Enjoying the process should be of higher priority than the end goal—that's what it's about, I think.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#23I think people just stopped liking doing hard stuff. (Example: php blog vs searching binary tree). Nowadays is more about memorizing and being "creative" than thinking and problem solving.
Creativity is thinking and problem solving.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#24This is ridiculous. The only useful thing is the suggestion to find what you love. But the author says nothing about the path to finding what you love. This isn't easy for everyone. There is a reason many people go through several career changes in their lives. Here is my view on self help. Self help is about trying to cultivate the thoughts and processes for being the best version of your self. It's about actively c…
It's a new blog, with lots of room to go. I'll touch upon that point in future posts. (Have to break these things up a little, you know?)
Sure, I think the main problem is the title of the post. "Forget Self Improvement" a pretty broad statement for how little you say about one part of self improvement. I suppose it served its part in creating controversy (and views), but I wish bloggers didn't resort to this.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#25I think people just stopped liking doing hard stuff. (Example: php blog vs searching binary tree). Nowadays is more about memorizing and being "creative" than thinking and problem solving.
Creativity is thinking and problem solving.
In the ideal world - yes! in the world of media and social networks - no, imho.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#26When I was starting my company, I had to cold-call a few dozen people to test a hypothesis. I delayed it for weeks, and when I finally forced myself to pick up the phone, I dreaded dialing every digit. Today, three years into running the company, picking up the phone to call a dozen people is peanuts. I don't like doing it, I'm not very good at it, I delegate it whenever I can, but if call I must, I'll do it, I'll be…
The argument isn't one of never doing unpleasant things. (I don't like changing the oil on my car, but I know it needs to be done.) Instead, I suggest examining why a desire seems important, and whether it might be more of a societal (or ego-driven) thing. Additionally, I believe that if you take the time to find out what you really enjoy, some things will sort themselves out. I've been really good at getting off my…
Forget the naysayers. They're missing the point. This was one of the most enlightening articles I've read in some time.
Most of us want to finish the race, but see running as a chore.
The take away - Do what you love and "running" becomes enjoyable.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#27When I was starting my company, I had to cold-call a few dozen people to test a hypothesis. I delayed it for weeks, and when I finally forced myself to pick up the phone, I dreaded dialing every digit. Today, three years into running the company, picking up the phone to call a dozen people is peanuts. I don't like doing it, I'm not very good at it, I delegate it whenever I can, but if call I must, I'll do it, I'll be…
I think the argument is less about "don't do the (relatively) minor uncomfortable things", and more about aligning yourself so that the major part of your work is something you love. Love writing, not being an author. Love running a business, not the title of CEO. And if you don't love either of those, find what you love, and put yourself in a situation where that is what you do.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#28When I was starting my company, I had to cold-call a few dozen people to test a hypothesis. I delayed it for weeks, and when I finally forced myself to pick up the phone, I dreaded dialing every digit. Today, three years into running the company, picking up the phone to call a dozen people is peanuts. I don't like doing it, I'm not very good at it, I delegate it whenever I can, but if call I must, I'll do it, I'll be…
This is very true. If starting a company is something you've always wanted to do (like me) then when you do it you'll find so much crap that you dislike or even hate but still have to do.
Some examples: 1. reading through all your contracts, legalese, terms of service and everything else you need a lawyer for. Mind numbingly boring but also real important.
2. writing copy for your site.
3. pitching your company in a bar at the end of a 80 hour week where you just want a drink in peace.
4. dealing with psycho customers who troll you for no good reason on forums where your promoting your company
5. Accounting.
Starting a company is probably the most extreme example though. Most profressions are just that - ie made up of 1 profession.
Starting a company is a multi-profession profession. Most of which you'd have never done before.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#29When I was starting my company, I had to cold-call a few dozen people to test a hypothesis. I delayed it for weeks, and when I finally forced myself to pick up the phone, I dreaded dialing every digit. Today, three years into running the company, picking up the phone to call a dozen people is peanuts. I don't like doing it, I'm not very good at it, I delegate it whenever I can, but if call I must, I'll do it, I'll be…
I think the argument is less about "don't do the (relatively) minor uncomfortable things", and more about aligning yourself so that the major part of your work is something you love. Love writing, not being an author. Love running a business, not the title of CEO. And if you don't love either of those, find what you love, and put yourself in a situation where that is what you do.
Your sticking to the narrative and not what actually happens in a practical sense.
You dont get to be CEO till your company has happy customers paying you moeny and your making a tidy profit. Till then you'll do anything and evertyhign thats necessary - most of it is unpleasent. 10% is fun.
Re: Forget Self-Improvement
#30True but one unmentioned problem: how to find the thing you love?
What ideas do you find yourself thinking about when you catch your focus drifting off onto something else?
Is it another project? Something specific? Or maybe a more abstract concept -- something that's been ruminating in the back of your mind for several years?
Whatever it is, explore it more deeply. This may guide you to your true passion. Your true potential. If you're not passionate about something, it will never consume you so it won't resonate in your mind long enough to find true genius within it.