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I think the concept of deliberate practice and perhaps even spaced repetition in psychology might be what you're looking for? Mark is dedicating himself to shi

by jwdunne 14y ago

I think the concept of deliberate practice and perhaps even spaced repetition in psychology might be what you're looking for? Mark is dedicating himself to shipping projects, each of which contains challenges that are designed to push him just past the edge of his current set of abilities. Further more, each project will have to be maintained or else it will go stale, meaning constant, spaced exposure to each concept he is working with. For example: For my next project, I want to focus on having a more reactive user experience on the client side of a web app. I have narrowed it down to two technologies that I want to use, Ember.js or Meteor. Here, Mark chooses a project that centres around Ember.js. Rather than writing some toy Ember.js stuff, I imagine he will be using Ember.js in a practical setting, which is more challenging from the outset. Since he plans on shipping, again this will need to be maintained, perhaps new features may need to be added, which means spaced but regular exposure to Ember.js. If I'm correct in the above, this may actually be a fantastic way to learn new stuff.

npsimons 14y ago
Deliberate practice is something that really fascinates me, because it never seems like I have enough time. I've picked up "How to Read a Book", but it will have to wait until I'm done with my current non-fiction book (I try to keep focused on one non-fiction book at a time). Reflection and deep understanding are important, but the mantra of "good enough" is very powerful as well, and perhaps the fastest way to "ingest" something is by pushing yourself, hard, to do something "impossible", well beyond your limits. Some people would say that if you could do it, it's not "well beyond your limits", but how do you know until you try? For me, I have a tendency both to get distracted easily, and occasionally focus deeply (perhaps too deep) on highly specialized subjects. C++ is my current obsession, and not necessarily because I like it; there's just so many dark corners. I do need to learn and practice more deliberately, but also push myself, hard, out of my comfort zone. And sorry to continue the free association (see how I get distracted easily?), but I feel that perhaps rejection therapy wouldn't be needed if people took more challenging opportunities, with the inevitable failures being all the rejection therapy they need.
- jwdunne 14y ago
  Well, this is interesting because I've got another bit of research/info that ties in with what you have said and also the OP's post. According to research done by Carol Dweck, there are two types of mindset when approaching a challenge, much like learning new, tougher-to-grasp things. You either lookst it from a fixed "be good" mindset or a growth "get better" mindset. With a be-good mindset, you will be less persistent because failing means you're not so good. With a get-better mindset, failing won't matter as much, if not at all. This is because, in your minds eye, you're focused on improvement, so even if you fail you feel you will learn something (99 ways to not make a lightbulb). With a get-better mindset, fear of rejection and failure are extinguished. It also ties in with what the OP is doing because he is focused on learning when building and shipping products. If his sole intention was to ship and not actually learn anything from it but rather as a demo of his skills, would he ship as much?

by jwdunne 14y ago

npsimons 14y ago

Deliberate practice is something that really fascinates me, because it never seems like I have enough time. I've picked up "How to Read a Book", but it will have to wait until I'm done with my current non-fiction book (I try to keep focused on one non-fiction book at a time). Reflection and deep understanding are important, but the mantra of "good enough" is very powerful as well, and perhaps the fastest way to "ingest" something is by pushing yourself, hard, to do something "impossible", well beyond your limits. Some people would say that if you could do it, it's not "well beyond your limits", but how do you know until you try? For me, I have a tendency both to get distracted easily, and occasionally focus deeply (perhaps too deep) on highly specialized subjects. C++ is my current obsession, and not necessarily because I like it; there's just so many dark corners. I do need to learn and practice more deliberately, but also push myself, hard, out of my comfort zone. And sorry to continue the free association (see how I get distracted easily?), but I feel that perhaps rejection therapy wouldn't be needed if people took more challenging opportunities, with the inevitable failures being all the rejection therapy they need.

jwdunne 14y ago
Well, this is interesting because I've got another bit of research/info that ties in with what you have said and also the OP's post. According to research done by Carol Dweck, there are two types of mindset when approaching a challenge, much like learning new, tougher-to-grasp things. You either lookst it from a fixed "be good" mindset or a growth "get better" mindset. With a be-good mindset, you will be less persistent because failing means you're not so good. With a get-better mindset, failing won't matter as much, if not at all. This is because, in your minds eye, you're focused on improvement, so even if you fail you feel you will learn something (99 ways to not make a lightbulb). With a get-better mindset, fear of rejection and failure are extinguished. It also ties in with what the OP is doing because he is focused on learning when building and shipping products. If his sole intention was to ship and not actually learn anything from it but rather as a demo of his skills, would he ship as much?