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Perhaps you're not someone who needs this kind of advice. If you don't struggle with procrastication or distraction, then it seems pointlessly rigid because it'
by Veen 5y ago
Perhaps you're not someone who needs this kind of advice. If you don't struggle with procrastication or distraction, then it seems pointlessly rigid because it's intended to solve a problem you don't have. But not everyone is like you.
Many people are easily distracted and prone to procrastination. They can't easily switch from one task to the next, and they struggle to stay focused. I'm like that: it's why I'm commenting on Hacker News instead of writing the article I've been paid to. It's enormously frustrating to have goals and obligations you fail to achieve because your brain refuses to cooperate. A rigid framework that forces people like that to marshal their time and attention more effectively can be a big help.
- crispyambulance 5y agoThe thing is, even if one IS susceptible to distraction and procrastination, the OP's solution may not and probably does not apply. It's nice that the OP has a life where they are only answerable to themselves and where they can carve out time as they see fit and the only challenge is their own self-control. Noticeably absent from the article is the mention of any spouse or kids. So what we're talking about with the OP is a single, self-employed, well-to-do knowledge worker who has found a way to exercise self-control. That's fine, more power to them, and it's great that this advice may apply to one segment of the long tail demographics of the internet, but the range of people for whom the OP advice "doesn't apply" is huge and includes far more than just people who struggle with procrastination and distraction.
- inanutshellus 5y agoHow is any of this conjecture valuable? Since when is life-advice of any kind "for everyone"?
- Apocryphon 5y agoWhat’s the utility of life advice that’s meant for a general audience, but can only be utilized by a specific niche?
- russelldjimmy 5y agoWe’re all trying, mate. Sometimes one of us writes down their experience to see if it can help anyone else. I am not sure if there is any advice that is truly “for everyone”. It either works for you or it doesn’t. If it does - great. If it doesn’t - I hope you find something that does. The only way we’ll know is if we share our experiences. I don’t see any value in critique here.
- Apocryphon 5y agoSure. It’s also a good way to filter out advice that’s less applicable to a larger audience. Perhaps it’s aspirational advice of sorts for those who can attain the material conditions of the one bestowing it.
- b3morales 5y agoThis should be pinned to the top of every forum thread in the internet. Well said.
- crispyambulance 5y agoYou're right, it doesn't have to apply to everyone, but some acknowledgement by the OP that his story is but one sliver of experience would be a good idea. After all, he's selling a book and an app/extension.
- erikbye 5y ago> Perhaps you're not someone who needs this kind of advice. He has the first/top comment on the article. Seems to me he's binging HN, hitting that refresh button. Check his IP, he probably visits several times daily.
- simonbarker87 5y agoIn my defence I wasn’t the first comment - but I was waiting for a series cloudformation templates to apply so had a few spare minutes - hence I picked up my phone and left a comment - I’ve bit come back since so I’m surprised to see this comment has kicked of a lot of chat