badger comments on A total life checklist - Less Wrong
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A list I collected a couple summers ago, inspired by Josh Kauffman's list and another list I'm unable to track down at the moment. Clearly incomplete, too specific in some areas and too sparse in others, and some questions are probably leading. Not sure whether there is value here since I've never really used it since compiling it, but the idea of a list to make sure there aren't gaps seems useful.
Pick up a journal, set aside a few hours, and spend time answering questions in an area you haven't considered in a while. Make it fun: treat yourself to a nice lunch or go somewhere special while you answer questions. Thinking, especially about large topics, is hard work.
Global Heuristics
Keep in mind that in any given area of your life, you are unlikely to be at the optimum; for instance, unless you think you are already traveling too much, you should be traveling more. If you had to change a little bit, which direction should it be in?
Pay attention to opportunity costs. Even if something is desirable, you might be giving up something even better. Trade offs have to be made and optimizing locally may not produce global optima. At the same time, question your assumptions about trade-offs. Is there any way to acheive all goal simultaneously?
Pay attention to fungible goods, considering alternate ways to achieve the same goals in a cheaper way. For instance, rather than justifying an extra bedroom by saying your mother could stay in it when she visits, consider cheaper and nearly as good solutions like paying for her hotel room or giving her your room. Remember that money is not the only way to measure costs. Economize between money, time, attention, good will, energy, and other goods.
Avoid framing choices as "whether or not" (as in "I'm trying to decide whether or not to break up with my boyfriend"). Empirically, framing a situation this narrowly tends towards poor decisions (see Decisive by Chip Heath and Dan Heath). Thinking of just one more option can cast light on what's important to you and what's feasible in general.
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