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by redis_mlc 2286 days ago
> What can I do to improve my attitude toward useful areas of my life and convince myself to stop wasting time?

You need to decide whether you're procrastinating, or you have a deeper problem like being a loser.

If you have finished substantial projects in the past, and are taking a break, for whatever reason, that's fine.

If you really haven't accomplished anything in life and are still fantasizing about doing something, you're a loser. All those dreams are just noise in your brain. I'd suggest setting those aside and focusing on things you must do, like your job.

I can give you an example. I knew a young guy who seriously dreamed of joining the Army, but was 300+ pounds. I said to him, "Have you ever exercised in your life?" His answer was no, so I said the Army is not the right place for you. None of his friends was willing to offer objective advice.

The old school way to get things done is with a todo list. By writing down 5 - 10 tasks and then turning to that as your boss, you add structure (discipline) and reduce your internal debate over what to do and instead turn your energy into action.

Try a todo list for a couple weeks and if that doesn't help, then embrace the fact that you're a loser, and focus on necessary things.

Also, two of the hardest things to do are learn guitar or build an airplane. They both take about 2 years part-time to make substantial progress. The best advice I've heard for both is the same: every day, pick up the guitar, or the airplane plans or parts.

1 comments

I will accept this advice of "embrace being a loser" as good advice only if you can claim to have done it successfully yourself. Paradoxically I suspect it's really hard to do without losing all hope.
> "embrace being a loser"

I like how you worded that - I plan to borrow it.

Hmm ... if you're good at even one thing, then you're not a loser. If you're not good at anything, then it's time to do some self-reflection.