I don't think you can. We don't really own our minds.
Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
11–20 of 28 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#12Are you choosing unnecessarily miserable steps, or adding unnecessary misery into the goals themselves?
I'm ashamed to admit this but I have a few blank PCBs I ordered and never did anything with, because... it was just a personal project, and populating SMD parts by hand seems like so much fun until you actually... start doing it.
Working on a Svelte app is often pretty fun. Building a new JS runtime, framework, and build system does not sound fun.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#13Are you choosing unnecessarily miserable steps, or adding unnecessary misery into the goals themselves? I'm ashamed to admit this but I have a few blank PCBs I ordered and never did anything with, because... it was just a personal project, and populating SMD parts by hand seems like so much fun until you actually... start doing it. Working on a Svelte app is often pretty fun. Building a new JS runtime, framework, and…
I started building a shed last year to use as a home office. The exterior is done and complete, and the interior is maybe 80% done.
I just need to add the remaining bits of insulation around the tricky, sloping corners, then wrap and seal them before laying some plywood to use as walls. My electrician has been waiting for me to do so since May.
I tried it out during the winter and it was surprisingly cozy inside despite the missing insulation and some air gaps. It's rather toasty now in summer though.
I just, haven't found the motivation to complete it.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#14> It's just the repetition of things you already know, and this is what I have started to hate.
Reading one of your comments, I solved that by using LLM's. If you can't, maybe what you need is trying new things that don't involve those steps you already hate. Maybe ask someone to help you with the boring stuff.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#15One trick is be aware of how much you enjoy different processes.
I find for example I prefer everything to be a small task. I like to separate planning from coding and don't try to do both simultaneously. That works for me. You may be the same or different.
That is one example. The idea is to understand what you like and hate about the work. Not what you think you should like but what you actually like.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#16How can you achieve more results (goals) persistently by enjoying the process (the thing that takes time) as much? More results in less time or more time to enjoy the process you will hopefully find enjoyable. Can’t you outsource the process and just enjoy the results?
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#17If you enjoy the goal, but not the process, there's a term for it - it's called a grind. It's no different from weight loss or any other unpleasant chores. You choose to temporarily suffer in order to accomplish the goal. Incidentally, after reading a bunch of biographies, I think many high-achievers are into suffering, they get a kick out of it. Someone like Goggins makes it explicit, but I think it's fairly prevalent.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#18If you enjoy the goal, but not the process, there's a term for it - it's called a grind. It's no different from weight loss or any other unpleasant chores. You choose to temporarily suffer in order to accomplish the goal. Incidentally, after reading a bunch of biographies, I think many high-achievers are into suffering, they get a kick out of it. Someone like Goggins makes it explicit, but I think it's fairly prevale…
I should read Goggins. I just saw an interview with him. It looks like you need a huge amount of willpower and motivation. However, willpower is taxing for the brain, which tries to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#19I'll say something that sounds really unhelpful until one day it makes sense. You don't really choose the process, the process chooses you. You can't make yourself 'enjoy the process' for something that doesn't resonate, because it will always feel a chore. So the one and only trick is to really pay attention to the thing you keep going back to, and in a way accept that this is a path. Some people might say "But I on…
I probably don't understand everything you wrote. However, I think I don't agree with you. If I just did what I enjoyed, I would quickly fall into bad habits, which would later lead to even greater depression.
Re: Ask HN: How to shift mindset from goal-oriented to progress-oriented?
#20Are you choosing unnecessarily miserable steps, or adding unnecessary misery into the goals themselves? I'm ashamed to admit this but I have a few blank PCBs I ordered and never did anything with, because... it was just a personal project, and populating SMD parts by hand seems like so much fun until you actually... start doing it. Working on a Svelte app is often pretty fun. Building a new JS runtime, framework, and…
I started building a shed last year to use as a home office. The exterior is done and complete, and the interior is maybe 80% done. I just need to add the remaining bits of insulation around the tricky, sloping corners, then wrap and seal them before laying some plywood to use as walls. My electrician has been waiting for me to do so since May. I tried it out during the winter and it was surprisingly cozy inside desp…
Is it possible perfection is preventing getting it done? Could you close the walls and enjoy the space as is?
Sometimes it is easier to work on someone else’s house because you are not seeking perfection. Do you have a friend that could help you? Or the electrician?