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Unnamed comments on Lifehack Ideas December 2014 - Less Wrong Discussion

10 Post author: Gondolinian 10 December 2014 12:21AM

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Comment author: Unnamed 11 December 2014 02:52:10AM 12 points [-]

I'd like to see a similar list involving time rather than money. What are things that you can spend a chunk of time on upfront, which will save more time than that within one year?

Comment author: Username 11 December 2014 03:15:16AM 9 points [-]

No specifics, but xkcd has a nice chart on how much time you should invest to automate something.

Comment author: mare-of-night 13 December 2014 08:49:27AM *  5 points [-]

These probably aren't the best ones out there, just what came to mind easily:

  • For people who take a few different medications, those weekly pill box things - it takes less attention to do it all at once when non-groggy.

  • Keeping one's workspace clean and organized might be an example; a lot of people say they can pay attention more easily when things are clean.

  • Keep bicycle tires well pumped - makes you go a lot faster. (Also, having the correct kind of tires. Mountain bike tires are slow on pavement.)

  • Set up the computer/browser to automatically open the tabs/programs you use the most. (I know some people who do this on their work computers.)

  • "no 'poo" hair washing makes hair less oily so you need to wash it less often. Also cheaper. (baking soda + vinegar is the usual method.)

  • buying two weeks' worth of groceries at once so you don't have to shop as often

  • Dvorac and other alternative keyboard layouts

  • email inbox automation things (I've not used any, but people seem to like them)

Comment author: emr 14 December 2014 03:26:08AM 2 points [-]

The question can also be parsed into a cluster of overlapping prompts, some of which transition into general efficiency:

  • Learn how to do a single task faster.

Ex: Touch typing. Keyboard shortcuts. Find a shorter path. Automate bills. Use a flashcard program like anki.

  • Figure out how to do a task less frequently (minimize "in-between" time, set-up and tear-down time).

Ex: Learn what items you can buy in bulk. Cook in larger quantities. Schedule errands together.

  • Identity something you can stop doing, or do significantly less of at modest cost.

Ex: Procrastination? Apply the 80/20 heuristic? This category is probably quite personal.

  • Learn how to better schedule or overlap tasks.

Ex: Learn to cook multiple things at once. Learning to schedule errands at low-traffic time. Listen to an audiobook, or call a friend, or practice singing, etc. while doing mentally undemanding things like chores.