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I recently put a little modal on my phone that just says "Compete against yourself" every 30 minutes, and I'm finding it remarkably helpful at focusing my effor
by hiAndrewQuinn 3y ago
I recently put a little modal on my phone that just says "Compete against yourself" every 30 minutes, and I'm finding it remarkably helpful at focusing my efforts back to what I want to see in the world.
I like the mindset of trying to be just a little better than you were, every day. It feels... correctly scaled, somehow.
- toastedwedge 3y agoWhat does it mean in this context to compete against yourself? Anything at immediately at hand or on the todo list? Or is it just a reminder to get something done you thought of doing but normally wouldn't otherwise?
- bayindirh 3y agoIt means "It doesn't matter what other people do, are doing, or have achieved". In other words, do not compare yourself to others. Do what you're doing, a little better this time, then GOTO 10.
- carlivar 3y agoI've become very fond of the phrase "comparison is the thief of joy" lately. This seems like a version of that. Keep your scope local only.
- kayodelycaon 3y agoI like it phrased this way: "There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self."
- boringg 3y agoGreat for the upside of growth - how do you change it for when you start to age and skills erode a little bit. That would be deeply frustrating. Need to change the model at that point! What to though?
- smackeyacky 3y agoYour skills don't age like your physical body does.
- Aeolun 3y agoMy existing skills don’t, but learning new ones sure takes more effort.
- bregma 3y agoIt's not the effort of learning, it's the effort of tolerating all the know-it-all newbies that increases.
- KETHERCORTEX 3y agoYou are saying it like skills aren't contained in that physical body.
- smackeyacky 3y agoYou can program using a blow stick if you have to. Its a mental ability not a physical one. Unless you get dementia you could do it forever
- oaktowner 3y agoThat is true, but the rapid change in the tech industry makes "skills" mean something different than it would in, say, woodworking. Once you learn woodwoorking, you're going to be good at it (until you lose strength, flexibility in your fingers, etc). In our industry, to 'stay at the same place,' you continually have to learn new technologies, new concepts, etc.
- smackeyacky 3y agoComputer programming isnt like woodworking though, its all in the mind
- 3y ago
- enlyth 3y agoYou willingly turned on a notification every 30 minutes that tells you to compete against yourself? I cannot tell if this is parody or just Peak HN
- kayodelycaon 3y agoI'd go with Peak HN. Everyone has their quirks. I've got my computer speaking the time every 15 minutes and everyone I know would be driven absolutely insane by that. It helps me keep track of time. Some people put a postit on their mirror or laptop screen.
- bayindirh 3y agoThis is a comic I love (titled: Weird): https://viruscomix.com/page500.html https://viruscomix.com/page500.html I store a copy in my "life changing comics" folder.
- kayodelycaon 3y agoOoooo... a peanut butter banana bacon sandwich sounds awesome.
- toomuchtodo 3y agoHighly recommend.
- HankB99 3y agoI've done a PBBJ (peanut butter bacon jelly) but never a PBBB. Might need to try it.
- clementime 3y agoThis is a great comic. Understanding and appreciating other people's differences goes a long way. So much harm comes from being fearful or judgemental of people who are different. Now I'm curious - what else is in your "life changing comics" folder?
- bandyaboot 3y agoIf you find yourself becoming desensitized to the notifications on your phone, I suggest training a parrot to stand on your shoulder to liven it up. Great for parties too.
- hsavit1 3y agoi suggest a new push notification on your phone that says "be funnier" - all the top comedians do it
- pmontra 3y agoThat is coincidentally similar to a pomodoro sprint: 25 minutes of work (compete with yourself) and 5 of something else.