The Top Of My Todo List
paulgraham.com
The Top Of My Todo List
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Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#2I think that the fifth rule, be happy, is either:
- a guiding principle by which the other four rules are derived or... - the effect of following the previous four rules
I don't think of "be happy" as a rule so much in itself.
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#3"Don't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy."
Will counter and say, it's impossible to achieve dreams (or the first big exit) without putting your head down, working insane hours, neglecting friends, and being miserable. Need to live the bad times, ultimate lows, to fully realize happiness and no regrets.
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#4I think that the fifth rule, be happy, is either: - a guiding principle by which the other four rules are derived or... - the effect of following the previous four rules I don't think of "be happy" as a rule so much in itself.
I think that, more often than not, being happy requires choosing to be happy. There are far too many unplanned moments in life where, even if you've followed the other four rules, you will not be happy unless you actively choose to make lemonade out of your lemons.
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#5Its like getting consistent physical exercise, isn't it?
Keeping fit should be a priority - we feel happier, fitter, more relaxed after a workout. Yet its easy to laze around, sometimes checking email, hn, finding excuses to not go in today.
In Ms. Ware's essay - consciously choosing happiness is a very intelligent thought. On some days I feel miserable, then I look around (I am in India). I thank heavens for a wonderful life. Being miserable, then appears to be a choice.
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#6I think that the fifth rule, be happy, is either: - a guiding principle by which the other four rules are derived or... - the effect of following the previous four rules I don't think of "be happy" as a rule so much in itself.
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Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#7This reminds me of Neil DeGrasse's Tyson's "two main philosophies in life": http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/qccer/i_am_neil_degras...
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#8I would change "cultivate friendships" to "cultivate relationships". With family, friends, acquaintances, etc. And I'd also add "Focus on your health"
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#9I'd rework Paul Graham's list a little, as the first two items are phrased in negative terms (it's easier to do stuff than to not do stuff).
"Follow your dreams; take a break; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy."
The idea of putting them at the top of your todo list is interesting. At the moment I organise myself with Trello, one list per project, and at the top of each list I have a card that reminds me why I'm doing the project. Every now and again I check these cards to see if any projects should be culled -- if they're not meeting their goals, or if there's a better way to achieve those goals, or if I no longer care about those goals.
Keeping long-term priorities in mind when caught up in the midst of your daily tasks seems like a winner. Your life is lived one day at a time, after all -- if you don't seize the day, you won't seize your life.
Anyway, the whole idea of combining your todo list with your bucket list -- your daily goals with your life goals -- is interesting. I've seen a few startups based on this idea (evr.st, Goalhawk). It'll be interesting to see if the model works.
Re: The Top Of My Todo List
#10Objectives in the negative have a bad effect on the brain according to NLP so
"Don't ignore your dreams; don't work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy."
Can be better expressed as: " pursue your dreams, get appropriate rest and relaxation, say what... "
(if you believe in NLP)