Better (I): Atemporal Living

[nyuanshin]

I've experimented a bit with what makes me more effective at getting stuff done while staying sane, with more failures than successes. Here is one thing that works for me: schedule as little as possible. At first it seems like a terrible idea because in lieu of a clear agenda you tend to just do the first thing that grabs your attention, and can

Comments

[xshardsx]

Through most of this I was undecided on how closely what you've written conforms to what I've experienced (which may or may not hold any relativity to its veracity), until the last line snapped it all into context. What is the guilt spiral you speak of?

[nyuanshin]

Feeling bad about procrastinating (etc.), which only strengthens the "ugh" field surrounding the task being put off.

[xshardsx]

Huh. I came on the computer to write for the first time since December. I'm procrastinating on writing right now actually, and I was just thinking about how I was happy to have the skill of being able to shamelessly drop a project for months at a time because it made picking it back up so much easier. That's kind of a funny coincidence.

[e4q]

is what he said - http://zenhabits.net/

i follow this blog and find it sensible.

my own predicament is unlike most people's because i am mainly trying to manage my pain rather than a career or whatever. nevertheless, having a very stripped down life certainly helps. and i can see how it would work if i was working.

[keenman]

I follow a similar methodology and have general themes revolving around how I want to incrementally develop myself over time (e.g. for this year, my themes are quality friendships and personal health & fitness). I also only schedule my time when I'm interacting with other people.

Actually, I removed the clock from my desktop just yesterday so that it wouldn't distract me any longer. I realized I simply didn't need it anymore.

The concept of OODA loops is a fascinating one: I haven't seen that before.

[nyuanshin]

I'm in flux at the moment, but when my financial situation has stabilized somewhat I'd be interested in collaborating on the fitness stuff, particularly if you're into martial arts or yoga.

[nyuanshin]

Or rock climbing.

[keenman]

I did some martial arts back in high school (TaeKwon-Do) and yoga for a short time in Seattle and would definitely be up for giving them a shot again.

[hypnos7]

Yes, but you do want to life your life as if you're a fighter pilot in a dogfight?

My middle way is to sketch out blocks of time dedicated to work, home life or nothing in particular. Within those blocks, I remain largely unscheduled.