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sakranut comments on Open thread for December 9 - 16, 2013 - Less Wrong
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I decided I'd share the list of questions I try to ask myself every morning and evening. I usually spend about thirty seconds on each question, just thinking about them, though I sometimes write my answers down if I have a particularly good insight. I find they keep me pretty well-calibrated to my best self. Some are idiosyncratic, but hopefully these will be generally applicable.
A. Today, this week, this month: 1. What am I excited about? 2. What goals do I have? 3. What questions do I want to answer? 4. What specific ways do I want to be better?
B. Yesterday, last week, last month: 5. What did I accomplish that am I proud of? 6. In what instances did I behave in a way I am proud of? 7. What did I do wrong? How will I do better? 8. What do I want to remember? What adventures did I have?
C. Generally: 9: If I'm not doing exactly what I want to be doing, why?
How long have you been doing this, and have you noticed any effects?
For about a month and a half, though I forget about 25% of the time. I haven't noticed any strong effects, though I feel as if I approach the day-to-day more conscientiously and often get more out of my time.
For a term in university I followed a similar method. Every day I would post 'Today's Greatest Achievement:' in the relevant social media of the time. There was a noticeable improvement in happiness and extra-curricular productivity as I more actively sought out novel experiences, active community roles, and academic side projects. The daily reminder led to a far more conscientious use of my time.
The combined reminder that I spent all weekend playing video games and broadcasting to my entire social circle that that was my greatest achievement in the past 48 hours was in a mindless video game led to immediate behavior changes.
What does it mean for "you" to not be doing exactly what you "want"? Do you downplay or ignore your not-conscious thought processes?
That's the hardest of them all, still searching for answers.