4 ms·

> he worked so hard that his marriage became strained and his hair turned white from the stress yeah, so maybe don’t follow the Einstein principle? The real i

> he worked so hard that his marriage became strained and his hair turned white from the stress yeah, so maybe don’t follow the Einstein principle? The real issue is this obsession with abstract progress. Einstein was successful because he found something that he believed was important and meaningful. Prior to devoting yourself to some crazy project, I think it’s important to take time to reflect about whether or not the project is actually meaningful to you or if it’s just filler. This is sort of what this article goes on to recommend, but I’d rather do it talking about meaning and significance in life than organizing everything around “productivity”. The real issue is this line: > It’s too risky. If you invest fully in one thing, and then it fails, you’re left empty. If failure means your project and experience will be entirely sapped of meaning, it’s a good sign it’s not the right project for you. You’re not passionate about the work, you’re passionate about outcomes. Be passionate about the work and the outcomes will fall out naturally, and better yet, if you enjoy your work in itself, you won’t care too much about outcomes.

paulpauper 4y ago
Reminds me of the 'Feynman Technique'...be as smart as Feynman..it tends to make progress easier Einstein was smart and well-connected enough to know he was not on a dead end. He had the support of others who helped formulate some of the math. Others are not so fortunate or smart.
- djmips 4y ago
  The Feynman technique is compatible because it does say to think real hard. Sometimes people are so busy and distracted they don't even get to focus and think real hard. You don't have to be a genius to apply more to a particularly important problem.
moneywoes 4y ago
> It’s too risky. If you invest fully in one thing, and then it fails, you’re left empty. Makes me think about marriage with the divorce rate these days
- mym1990 4y ago
  Not ever being married myself, I would think that marriage should be an incredible experience to learn about yourself and your partner. A failed result can always have a positive return if you can find something to learn out of it. To forego opportunities due to fear of failure or commitment is to miss out on some absolutely amazing experiences in life(and some heartbreaking ones).
  - borroka 4y ago
    The "I would think that marriage should be an incredible experience to learn about yourself and your partner" is quite a bizarre statement. Marrying somebody means inviting a third party, the State, in private affairs. Now, marriage can be convenient or recommended for religious and tax affairs, particular convictions, and for the protection of kids (then...). But getting married to learn about yourself and your partner by, in essence, inviting a third party that in typical fashion would obfuscate instead of giving light, reminds me of the guy who wanted to be kicked in the genitals so that he could feel something brand new that day.
    - number6 4y ago
      Thanks for the realization: married, two children and never thought about it this way. Only difference is taxes and rights to decide if someone is incapable. Relationship wise nothing changed. Children however change a lot.
      - bumby 4y ago
        In some states, marriage gives additional rights regarding children. It’s weird, but I think some areas give maternal grandparents more rights than a biological father if something happens to an unmarried mother.
    - arvinsim 4y ago
      > Marrying somebody means inviting a third party, the State, in private affairs. Now, marriage can be convenient or recommended for religious and tax affairs, particular convictions, and for the protection of kids (then...). I would think that marriage rates would drop rock bottom if the incentives are removed.
bumby 4y ago
This reminds me of Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Hours which is pretty good antidote to the hyper-productive, outcome-oriented mindset you’re talking about.

paulpauper 4y ago

Reminds me of the 'Feynman Technique'...be as smart as Feynman..it tends to make progress easier Einstein was smart and well-connected enough to know he was not on a dead end. He had the support of others who helped formulate some of the math. Others are not so fortunate or smart.

djmips 4y ago
The Feynman technique is compatible because it does say to think real hard. Sometimes people are so busy and distracted they don't even get to focus and think real hard. You don't have to be a genius to apply more to a particularly important problem.

moneywoes 4y ago

> It’s too risky. If you invest fully in one thing, and then it fails, you’re left empty. Makes me think about marriage with the divorce rate these days

mym1990 4y ago
Not ever being married myself, I would think that marriage should be an incredible experience to learn about yourself and your partner. A failed result can always have a positive return if you can find something to learn out of it. To forego opportunities due to fear of failure or commitment is to miss out on some absolutely amazing experiences in life(and some heartbreaking ones).
- borroka 4y ago
  The "I would think that marriage should be an incredible experience to learn about yourself and your partner" is quite a bizarre statement. Marrying somebody means inviting a third party, the State, in private affairs. Now, marriage can be convenient or recommended for religious and tax affairs, particular convictions, and for the protection of kids (then...). But getting married to learn about yourself and your partner by, in essence, inviting a third party that in typical fashion would obfuscate instead of giving light, reminds me of the guy who wanted to be kicked in the genitals so that he could feel something brand new that day.
  - number6 4y ago
    Thanks for the realization: married, two children and never thought about it this way. Only difference is taxes and rights to decide if someone is incapable. Relationship wise nothing changed. Children however change a lot.
    - bumby 4y ago
      In some states, marriage gives additional rights regarding children. It’s weird, but I think some areas give maternal grandparents more rights than a biological father if something happens to an unmarried mother.
  - arvinsim 4y ago
    > Marrying somebody means inviting a third party, the State, in private affairs. Now, marriage can be convenient or recommended for religious and tax affairs, particular convictions, and for the protection of kids (then...). I would think that marriage rates would drop rock bottom if the incentives are removed.

bumby 4y ago

This reminds me of Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Hours which is pretty good antidote to the hyper-productive, outcome-oriented mindset you’re talking about.