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June 7 - June 8, 2024
As we repeat this same pattern every day, we can let our biggest goals and loftier dreams slip between our fingers. We underperform and accomplish far less than we’re capable of. And deep down we know it, which erodes our self-esteem and creates frustration, disappointment, apathy, jealousy, or even anger.
Soon enough, that important task will appear less and less appealing. You tell yourself you’ll just have one more coffee. Or you’ll click on just one more YouTube video. But the more you delay your task, the harder it becomes to get started. It’s as though an invisible mental barrier had appeared between you and your task, and this barrier seems impossible to overcome.
It's terrifying how disturbingly accurate this description is. It's like watching your daily life as a movie.
The truth is that no amount of stimulation will ever bring you the sense of fulfillment you’re seeking. Yet, many of us are constantly overstimulated, looking for the next source that could trigger a release of dopamine. It seems as though we always want more and are never satisfied. And the more we seek stimulation, the worse it becomes.
Amazon’s book recommendation system is more accurate and widespread than any system a physical bookstore could create.
You know, I don't think I've read such a perfectly ambiguous sentence; which could have either connotations. Sort of like a Complisult.
In a sense, instead of using the internet to find information or communicate with loved ones, the internet has become the one using you. It does so by hijacking your focus and making you unproductive and, as a result, restless.
Studies have shown that one of the best predictors of success is the ability to think long term. People who repeatedly focus on where they want to be in the future, make better decisions in the present. They tend to eat healthier food, be more productive at work and save and invest more money than others.
social media, and the internet as a whole, have negatively impacted our ability to both think long-term and to focus deeply on the task in front of us.
As we demand more and more stimulation, our focus is increasingly geared toward the short term and our vision of reality becomes distorted.
No, watching motivational videos all day long won’t help you reach your goals. But, performing daily consistent actions, sustained over a long period of time will. Staying calm and focusing on the one task in front of you every day will.
I encourage you to do the same
It is at this point I began to suspect that I might in fact be reading a promotional brochure for amazon.
When you are calm and focused, doing your main work can be surprisingly easy. You might even be excited, looking forward to making progress toward your biggest goals each day.
The gap between your current high level of stimulation and the lower level of stimulation needed to tackle difficult tasks leads you to procrastinate.
Exercising,
Exercise? Really? Granted I don't do much of it in everyday life, but seriously!
Haruki Murakami's day consists of waking up early, and going for a long ass run, before settling down and writing for the first half of the day.
And exercise is shown to put one in a better mood, after hours of sedentary activity, helping your mind refresh.
So, I'm a bit reluctant to go along with this particular point.
Stretching exercises.
In regards to the previous annotation, I stand corrected. Walking & Stretching apparently doesn't fall under 'exercise'.
Perhaps what the author intended to communicate, is to not engage in tiring cardiovascular activities such as HIIT or weight training.
If you have any problems or worries, write them down alongside potential solutions. Just putting your thoughts on paper can help you declutter your mind and gain clarity. This is because it’s difficult to address thoughts that stay in your mind. You tend to ruminate on them. On the other hand, writing them down makes them more concrete. It helps clarify your thinking. By giving words to your thoughts (or worries), you can address them more easily.
More generally speaking, dedicating time to thinking each week can make a major difference in your life. It can prevent you making big mistakes and save you a great deal of time and energy. Therefore, refuse to let busyness be an excuse to avoid reflecting on your life.
The famous writer, Stephen King, sits at his desk every day at the same time and writes. He doesn’t wait for inspiration to come. Instead, he starts, knowing that inspiration will come as he immerses himself in his work.
If you can start work on your tasks for a few minutes, you’ll likely build enough momentum to keep going. You might even experience flow.
