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At the heart of it your quarrel with his program is that people have no willpower to change? I mean, you're very right in that we have a horrible track record b

by TheCapn 14y ago

At the heart of it your quarrel with his program is that people have no willpower to change? I mean, you're very right in that we have a horrible track record but, in your opinion, is the advice sound should someone be able to adjust their lifestyle?

laumars 14y ago
There's also an argument that relaxation and consumerism breeds motivation. Relaxation: I work better during the week if I've had a relaxed weekend. Working better leads to a greater likelihood of promotion and thus more income. Also I'm more likely to job hunt if I feel confident about myself. That positive psyche comes from positive environment and often that means having relaxation time at home. Consumerism: The very reason I got my first job was because I wanted to buy a Dreamcast. When I wanted a house, I changed to a better paid job. Then I wanted nicer things for my house and a car, so I asked for a pay rise. Sometimes greed can be a positive force (if channelled appropriately).
liber8 14y ago
Of course people can change their lifestyle. I have no doubt that MMM and the extreme early retirement guy, and some of the devotees of those blogs, have done exactly that. That doesn't mean extreme frugality is the first thing people should focus on though. People have limited willpower. Using it to cut out $20/week worth of lattes or $100/month worth of cable just isn't the best use of it, unless you've already covered the more important things. As I've tried to illustrate above, focusing on the wrong things (and failing), can be very counter-productive. Personally, I think your limited willpower is almost always better spent adding to or honing the skills that will allow you to produce more.
- tc7 14y ago
  Maybe the relative ease and affluence of our lives has diminished our willpower to deny ourselves anything, and exercising our willpower will strengthen it. In other words, maybe the 'limited' part is artificial and can be changed. And maybe strengthening our willpower would benefit us beyond just denying ourselves arbitrary comforts. Such as, willpower to pursue adding to or honing skills, maybe even ones that don't reap immediate material benefit. So, cutting out lattes may make you better able to improve as an entrepreneur, or programmer, or whatever.

by TheCapn 14y ago

laumars 14y ago

There's also an argument that relaxation and consumerism breeds motivation. Relaxation: I work better during the week if I've had a relaxed weekend. Working better leads to a greater likelihood of promotion and thus more income. Also I'm more likely to job hunt if I feel confident about myself. That positive psyche comes from positive environment and often that means having relaxation time at home. Consumerism: The very reason I got my first job was because I wanted to buy a Dreamcast. When I wanted a house, I changed to a better paid job. Then I wanted nicer things for my house and a car, so I asked for a pay rise. Sometimes greed can be a positive force (if channelled appropriately).

liber8 14y ago

Of course people can change their lifestyle. I have no doubt that MMM and the extreme early retirement guy, and some of the devotees of those blogs, have done exactly that. That doesn't mean extreme frugality is the first thing people should focus on though. People have limited willpower. Using it to cut out $20/week worth of lattes or $100/month worth of cable just isn't the best use of it, unless you've already covered the more important things. As I've tried to illustrate above, focusing on the wrong things (and failing), can be very counter-productive. Personally, I think your limited willpower is almost always better spent adding to or honing the skills that will allow you to produce more.

tc7 14y ago
Maybe the relative ease and affluence of our lives has diminished our willpower to deny ourselves anything, and exercising our willpower will strengthen it. In other words, maybe the 'limited' part is artificial and can be changed. And maybe strengthening our willpower would benefit us beyond just denying ourselves arbitrary comforts. Such as, willpower to pursue adding to or honing skills, maybe even ones that don't reap immediate material benefit. So, cutting out lattes may make you better able to improve as an entrepreneur, or programmer, or whatever.