Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Using a list to manage executive function

drmaciver.substack.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–64 of 64 posts

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#61

Post by throwaway22032 »

bongodongobob wrote: post #31
smeej wrote: post #12

I've been (semi-)intentionally unemployed for a little over a year now, and I reached a point a couple months ago where I just LOST IT at the prospect of having to continue to make decisions at every moment of every day about what to do next. I even have a daily checklist of about 15 things I need to do every day to keep making at least minimal progress toward my goals, but because none of them had assigned times, I…

This site is insane. I can't imagine being unemployed for over a year. If I were unemployed for a month I'd be fucked. Your life sounds incredibly difficult, my heart goes out to you, I'm so glad you are coping with gliding through life. Edit: After reconsidering, it's true. Given a year of reflection, we can all better ourselves. Let us all realize it's only a year of not working that can fix us.

Hey man. Consider that it's useful to get perspectives from people who are in situations different from your own. They're not telling you that you suck for not being in their position.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#62

Post by tomjen3 »

pillefitz wrote: post #27
tomjen3 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is one of those books that are really good, and really a product of its time. Most of what you get out of it you can read online and its methods need more than a little tweak today, because our digital systems are so much more powerful than the folder based one he suggests (example, GTD is heavily against adding things to your calendar, because it confuses between things that you intend to do at a certain time and…

Since switching to GTD, I've removed most of my pre-planned blockers and it's working well. How is color coding helping with the fact that according to GTD, only actual appointments should be put into the calendar?

I am glad it worked for you.

I have gotten good results from calendar blocking, so obviously I disagree with Davids rule about only putting things in the calendar that has to be done then. I can see his point for a physical calendar, but on a digital calendar you can have a (say) red calendar that your "must be done at this time or not at all" appointments can be added. That way when you see a red calendar entry you known what it means.

This was not really practical in Davids time.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#63

Post by thenobsta »

smeej wrote: post #59
bongodongobob wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This site is insane. I can't imagine being unemployed for over a year. If I were unemployed for a month I'd be fucked. Your life sounds incredibly difficult, my heart goes out to you, I'm so glad you are coping with gliding through life. Edit: After reconsidering, it's true. Given a year of reflection, we can all better ourselves. Let us all realize it's only a year of not working that can fix us.

I highly recommend living well within your means, and having simple tastes. I've never made more than $80k in a year, but rarely have I spent more than half of it. Most expenses are hackable. I bought the most reliable car with the most ubiquitous used part availability. It's 17 years old and has 235k miles on it. I pay $180 per year for my phone plan (unlimited talk/text and 5GB data on a Verizon MVNO). I've cut my…

This inspiring. Keep it up and good luck! I like working in startups too and live well below my means. Have had about the same cadence as you re: being out of work. I have a dependent so my calculus is a little different, but similar on par.

Re: Using a list to manage executive function

#64

Post by smeej »

thenobsta wrote: post #63
smeej wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I highly recommend living well within your means, and having simple tastes. I've never made more than $80k in a year, but rarely have I spent more than half of it. Most expenses are hackable. I bought the most reliable car with the most ubiquitous used part availability. It's 17 years old and has 235k miles on it. I pay $180 per year for my phone plan (unlimited talk/text and 5GB data on a Verizon MVNO). I've cut my…

This inspiring. Keep it up and good luck! I like working in startups too and live well below my means. Have had about the same cadence as you re: being out of work. I have a dependent so my calculus is a little different, but similar on par.

My non-startup friends do not understand. They're always this funny mix of confused, worried, and jealous when I take a break, but I've never had an interview for a startup job where anyone cared about any gaps in my resume.
Post reply on HN