More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
January 10 - January 15, 2022
Most people don’t use technology but are rather used BY technology.
“To be everywhere is to be nowhere.” — Seneca
distractions are associated with more stress, and higher frustration, time pressure, and effort.
Too much of anything is a bad thing. Even good things.
I went from “Always Connected” to “Always Disconnected.”
On my phone, wifi and mobile data are standard off. I only turn it on when I need it.
Disconnecting will help you DO more.
Do you want to get stuff done? Do stuff that matters.
Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy reading.”
One of the most important revelations of 2022. I was stuck, for a long time, trying to finish classics that I started reading only because they were classics, getting saturated and disinterested midway, but unable to quit, because, well, they were classics. No more of that.
Life is too short to do work you don’t enjoy.
If you know that you have limited time on this planet, why waste it?
What I am saying is that the best solution for procrastination is doing meaningful work.
“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.”
Our thoughts are so cluttered with fear, worry, and stress, that we can’t focus
The Power Of Having A Mantra
But I’m also a pragmatist. I believe in what works.
“A “mantra” is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit believed by practitioners to have psychological and spiritual powers.”
“Let’s go.”
“The only way out is through?”
Most of us can’t go undisturbed for more than 10 minutes.
“My number one challenge in life, and career, is trying to stay focused on my tasks. My mind always starts drifting to trivial things when I’m at work.”
Busyness is not a good thing. Because busyness and distractions go hand in hand.
“There is never a time when new distraction will not show up.”
So you better train yourself to manage your attention. Not your time.
Focus determines the quality of your life. No focus means no control of your attention. And no control means frustration.
you’re constantly getting notifications about THINGS THAT DON’T MATTER.
I have turned off ALL my notifications except messages and calls
I’ve removed myself from all Whatsapp groups except for one with my closest friends
I’ve stopped immediately responding to notifications.
I think I still have much to improve about my effectiveness. No one reaches peak productivity.
If you’re a perfectionist, you’re just a procrastinator with a mask.
perfectionism is closely related to depression and low self-esteem. “Perfectionists are their own devils.” —Jack Kirby
learned resourcefulness can play a mediator role.
“Learned resourcefulness refers to the behavioral repertoire necessary for both regressive self-control and reformative self-control. This repertoire includes self-regulating one’s emotional and cognitive responses during stressful situations, using problem-solving skills, and delaying immediate gratification for the sake of more meaningful rewards in the future.”
Finding a balance.
what you want is to find a middle ground where your perfectionistic tendencies drive you, but you have the calm of a slacker, and you combine that with learned resourcefulness.
Do great work like a perfectionist, but don’t give too much attention to your goals like a slacker. And finally, combine it with this: Resourcefulness — Goals can work well, but they can also be counterproductive. That’s why you want to rely on systems. And when shit hits the fan; use your problem-solving skills to figure things out.
“Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.”
Buy In Bulk
“When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.”
Having an inventory of books keeps up the momentum. You also never have an excuse not to read.
A(always) B(e) R(eading)
Find a way to read around your schedule and your life situation. Don’t make excuses like you’re tired or too busy.
Read Relevant Books Only
pick out the books that are related to your profession or hobby.
Read books about people that you admire. Don’t read a book just because it’s a best-seller or a classic if it has no meaning to you.
Read Multiple Books Simultaneously
Retain The Knowledge
use a pen to make notes in the margins and highlight important text.
be aware of over-highlighting.
