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sixes_and_sevens comments on Group rationality diary, 10/15/12 - Less Wrong Discussion

2 Post author: cata 16 October 2012 05:29AM

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Comment author: sixes_and_sevens 16 October 2012 11:45:32AM 4 points [-]

I had some exams at the end of last week that I'd been working towards for most of the year, and for the few weeks prior I'd been eliminating all other distractions to focus on revision. I now have no more study commitments (or any commitments, beyond 'go into work and do my job') until mid-January.

As a result, right now I have a lot of free-floating focus. I have no demands on my attention, coupled with enough discipline to direct it all at specific tasks. Housework? BAM - done. Exercise? BAM - done. I'm also finding it hard to get absorbed in akrasiatic activities, even though I'm 'allowed' to do them now. It's like the voice in the back of my head telling me to do more productive things isn't fatigued enough to give up.

Past experience tells me I'll have adjusted in a few weeks, and filled my time up with enough distractions to rob me of my newfound superpowers, but I'm a little curious as to how sustainiable they might be.

Comment author: Vaniver 16 October 2012 03:29:00PM 0 points [-]

Past experience tells me I'll have adjusted in a few weeks, and filled my time up with enough distractions to rob me of my newfound superpowers, but I'm a little curious as to how sustainiable they might be.

It sounds like it may be valuable to do low-value projects just to stay in the habit of working. Are there any online classes you would be interested in taking, local charities you'd like to volunteer for, or books you'd like to read? (I find reading a book to write a review a good way to give myself time pressure and make sure I'm paying enough attention.)