6 ms·

Sometimes there really is a "one weird trick" that can help people. I used to get stuck on problems and it would cripple my productivity. A programmer with two

Sometimes there really is a "one weird trick" that can help people. I used to get stuck on problems and it would cripple my productivity. A programmer with two decades more experience than me noticed what I was doing and gave me the best advice of my career. If you are interested in the solution, you can signup for my . . . Seriously though the answer was to just do something else. Don't sit around thinking about the problem; just do something else and the problem will be easier to solve the next time you try to solve it.

bombcar 4y ago
That's the problem - the self help books often have good actionable advice just like the diet books do; but it can be summed up in a few paragraphs. Most of the book is often trying to convince someone it's worth doing, or providing ways to get around procrastination, etc that might prevent it. But as you've shown, often a good mentor can do just as well, or better.
- pseudalopex 4y ago
  Many people reading self help books would prefer a good mentor. Books are easier to find.
bluedino 4y ago
>> Sometimes there really is a "one weird trick" that can help people. I used to get stuck on problems and it would cripple my productivity. A programmer with two decades more experience than me noticed what I was doing and gave me the best advice of my career. If you could make that part about 5 minutes longer you'll have a future in YouTube commercials
criddell 4y ago
The wait until tomorrow advice works well when learning a musical instrument too (at least in the beginning). I still really can't play my guitar, but when I'm trying to learn something new, I work on the hard part until I stop making progress then take a break. Often, the next day I can get a little further.
bluGill 4y ago
Even if there is more than one trick, all you can really apply at once is one. So best to look for a trick that seems like it should work and make it a habit. If that still isn't enough, then look for another. Sometimes you need to break a bad habit that results from this, but often it is many good habits combined that you need.

bombcar 4y ago

That's the problem - the self help books often have good actionable advice just like the diet books do; but it can be summed up in a few paragraphs. Most of the book is often trying to convince someone it's worth doing, or providing ways to get around procrastination, etc that might prevent it. But as you've shown, often a good mentor can do just as well, or better.

pseudalopex 4y ago
Many people reading self help books would prefer a good mentor. Books are easier to find.

bluedino 4y ago

>> Sometimes there really is a "one weird trick" that can help people. I used to get stuck on problems and it would cripple my productivity. A programmer with two decades more experience than me noticed what I was doing and gave me the best advice of my career. If you could make that part about 5 minutes longer you'll have a future in YouTube commercials

criddell 4y ago

The wait until tomorrow advice works well when learning a musical instrument too (at least in the beginning). I still really can't play my guitar, but when I'm trying to learn something new, I work on the hard part until I stop making progress then take a break. Often, the next day I can get a little further.

bluGill 4y ago

Even if there is more than one trick, all you can really apply at once is one. So best to look for a trick that seems like it should work and make it a habit. If that still isn't enough, then look for another. Sometimes you need to break a bad habit that results from this, but often it is many good habits combined that you need.