[DecayingOrganic]

Poorly written, factually incorrect, written to give the reader a small short-term motivational boost, soon to be diminished by the reality.

It goes as far as to suggest that laziness, boredom and the particulars of the sort do not exist.

Such big claims are supported by anecdotal stories, and occasional quotes from psychology professors, all convoluted in order to do say one thing: just do it.

[mnsc]

> And my specific advice is only going to work for a tiny fraction of people who happen to be in the right place at the right time and for whom it will click immediately.

It clicked for me. Gave me a new take on the very things I struggle with right now. Why did you write your comment? What did you want to give me, the reader?

[goldenkey]

He isn't giving you a anything except for his own experience with the article. And I agree. Witticisms don't do anything to help these very real neurochemical issues...

[amelius]

> to help these very real neurochemical issues...

Smart people are always quick to blame neurochemistry and easily dismiss problems at a higher level, even though there is so much evidence that chemistry is only part of the equation. Perhaps the increase in mental issues we see over the last decades is due to people thinking "it must be because of molecules", resulting in patients not making fundamental changes to their lives, and doctors continuing to "hack" the brain with drugs.

[joaomacp]

Our scientifically-centered world has its disadvantages. That is one of them.

Relevant song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGpoEPcmOK4

[mnsc]

> these very real neurochemical issues

Are you sayin that eg boredom is a neurochemical issue? Something that could/should be remedied with chemistry instead of theraputical work?

[goldenkey]

Both behavioral therapy and drugs work for neurochemical issues. What I am saying is that no amount of one liners or witty articles are going to help. Hard work or abrasive drugs will. And yes, therapeutics are definitely superior to drugs which often times are not sustainable solutions.

[nadam]

It diagnoses all people's problems in one article based on the fact that 'they have internet connection'. Maybe people have more complex and different problems? Like failure of a startup after years of struggle? Like working on ugly and complex problems in high-responsibility, high-stress jobs? Health problems, or health problems of a loved one? Problems in the family, or relationship? Work-life-balance? Debt? As if the biggest struggle in life is 'writing the first chapter of your book'. No, the struggle begins when writing your third book and still not much financial success or recognition... I am suprised that such a shallow article is voted up so much on HN and have so many claps on medium.

[crusader1099]

> just do it.

That's basically the only take-away from these kinds of motivational articles, and the only piece of advice that works. Once you start doing the thing you were nervous about, it becomes much easier and less stressful.

[reallydontask]

> Once you start doing the thing you were nervous about, it becomes much easier and less stressful.

This is not necessarily the case. Sometimes you lack confidence with good reason because you are (currently, potentially will always be) unsuited to the task at hand, so you become nervous and stressed. There is nothing wrong with this either. Sometimes, it is worthwhile to persevere other times it isn't.

The hard thing is to know when to persevere and when to quit.

[crusader1099]

Indeed. And I should probably have clarified in my comment that this method works for tasks for which you are too lazy, bored, or unmotivated to do, but you know that you could do them if you put your mind to it. Like you said, being too nervous to work on a particular task because of other reasons is a different experience altogether.

[moksly]

Isn’t that descriptive of pretty much every medium blog entry? It’s anecdotal and a tad in jest, because I’m sure there must be some value to the platform, but I’ve never seen it.

Most “articles” seem to read like someone who took a twitter post like “just do it” and wrote it longer, but without adding any additional value to the original statement.

[jonhendry18]

I wasn't sure about the "ripped the gear shift off" anecdote. Not sure I believe it.