I like the idea that whether you're creating product, solving problem or acquiring skill, the underlying dynamics are very much the same. Perseverance, reachin

I like the idea that whether you're creating product, solving problem or acquiring skill, the underlying dynamics are very much the same. Perseverance, reaching positive failure and resilience. For example, the parallel between muscle building and learning (as well, creativity and problem solving). In the context of muscle growth, you're looking to balance two states - anabolic (protein synthesis) and catabolic (protein breakdown). During your exercises, you're training your [1] nervous system, which is responsible for signalling and transmission of impulses to your muscles, triggering hormonal responses and adaptations. The load you try to lift is proportional to the stress you place on your nervous system. Accordingly, [2] hypertrophy (from Greek, excess + nourishment) occurs post-workout during your resting periods and muscle tissue is [3] formed when you're not weight training. Protein synthesis > Protein breakdown = Muscle mass increases Protein synthesis = Protein breakdown = No change in muscle mass Protein synthesis < Protein breakdown = Muscle mass decreases On the other hand, your [4] neurocognitive functioning and [5] mental resources are no different. You're looking to balance state of intense conscious efforts with unconscious state of incubation. During your conscious efforts, you're collecting data and confronting with the elements of the problem. The effort you put into solving the problem is proportional to the decline of your cognitive capacity, leading to a decision to put the problem aside. The unconscious incubation state takes place (ex. sleep, mindfulness, meditation), where the memory is being repaired, information is consolidated and new associations are formed, accordingly leading to creative insights and problem solving. 1. Conscious, intense and focused state of confrontation w/ the problem; 2. Decision to put the problem aside; 3. Unconscious incubation state; The quality of your recovery is crucial and directly correlative to the amount of your output. -- [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V77oaboEmY&feature=youtu.be&t=7m42s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V77oaboEmY&feature=youtu.be... [2] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_hypertrophy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_hypertrophy [3] - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11255140 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11255140 [4] - http://www.med.upenn.edu/uep/user_documents/VanDongen_etal_Sleep_26_2_2003.pdf http://www.med.upenn.edu/uep/user_documents/VanDongen_etal_S... [5] - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25275517 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25275517