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The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

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11–20 of 63 posts

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#11
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

10000 of anything is just key wording to allude to being a 'master' at something since that number was arbitrarily used to determine who or who is not an expert.

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#12
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

Never heard of it, but according to random website [0].

> Box breathing—also known as square breathing and 4-4-4-4 breathing—is a breathwork first popularized by Navy SEALs who used it to quickly sharpen concentration and enhance alertness. It requires inhaling for four counts, holding your breath for four counts, exhaling for four counts, and then holding your breath again for four counts.

[0] https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/box-breathing

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#13
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

10000 of anything is just key wording to allude to being a 'master' at something since that number was arbitrarily used to determine who or who is not an expert.

It was referring to hours of practice so 10,000 hours made you a master but what the fuck constitutes 10,000 learning cycles of self discipline? Has he spent 10,000 hours sat in meditation like a monk? I highly doubt it. It’s nonsense the author is using to try and give himself some credibility.

He also links to a blog post describing his “somewhat hardcore work routine” and how adhd is his “superpower”. It’s a hard pass from me.

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#15
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

Never heard of it, but according to random website [0]. > Box breathing—also known as square breathing and 4-4-4-4 breathing—is a breathwork first popularized by Navy SEALs who used it to quickly sharpen concentration and enhance alertness. It requires inhaling for four counts, holding your breath for four counts, exhaling for four counts, and then holding your breath again for four counts. [0] https://www.mindbodygr…

It's quite relaxing, but I get the impression that's because your mind is filled with "Count to 4"/"Blarg my nose is stuffy"/"Jesus why is holding my breath for 4 seconds so hard"/"Wow I actually have to push to empty my lungs in 4 seconds"/etc

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#16
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

Never heard of it, but according to random website [0]. > Box breathing—also known as square breathing and 4-4-4-4 breathing—is a breathwork first popularized by Navy SEALs who used it to quickly sharpen concentration and enhance alertness. It requires inhaling for four counts, holding your breath for four counts, exhaling for four counts, and then holding your breath again for four counts. [0] https://www.mindbodygr…

For anyone interested, I first came across it in Unbeatable Mind by Mark Divine. If I remember right it also goes into the OODA loop and other mental models, tips and tricks plus some info on physical fitness and flexibility. Good book.

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#17
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

Yeah it does seem a little bit more complex than necessary. Simple methods, simple life

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#18
post #6

What an overcomplicated load of baloney. If you become aware that you’re scared, stressed or overactive and distracted, do some 4-4-4-4 box method breathing until your mind calms down. The end. Just saved you having to remember this stupid acronym and this “ransom decision” nonsense. What’s more, it’s a proven technique that’s used by military personnel in life or death scenarios, as opposed to whoever this person is…

Author here. I am a fan of box breathing, along with several other "proven" breathing techniques.

Not sure what the downside is of experimenting with new techniques to add to one's tool set? Keep in mind that I'm just a guy on the internet who discovered something that worked and decided to share it with others in the hope that they'd also find it helpful.

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#19
It is question of motivation. Motivation uses logical forebrain, best way is to take thinking out of equation.

- marshmallow test is invalid, if kids do not trust adult. It would not work on kids from rough neighbourhood, who would get second marshmallow stollen. Single marshmallow is logical choice in this case. Apply that on savings and inflation...

- if phone alarm does not wake you up, use lamp with timer. 10000 lumens works pretty well...

- phone doom scrolling can be avoided by switching phone into black and white, or inverting colors... Or disable java script everywhere... Or use very very slow proxy server...

Key is not to think about it. The moment you have to switch on your brain, to convince yourself, is the moment you lost!

Re: The PoWeR technique: a strategic approach to self-discipline

#20
Some of the best advice I've heard from alcoholics who got sober is: if you can have two drinks and then stop, you don't have a drinking problem. Similarly for self-control: if you have enough patience to read this comment, you don't have a self-control problem. Don't get sober for fun, it's no fun.
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