I often find it useful to focus my attention on what effects my actions have on the margin. For example, sometimes I randomly go running because I figure the marginal effects on my longevity and energy levels will outweigh the discomfort from running, and I see them as benefits that I can pluck for myself. (If I could quantify energy levels/longevity, the numbers would be going in the right direction.) Or sometimes I’m really tired and I don’t have the energy to figure out what’s optimal and work on it, so I just work on some random useful thing I can do, secure in the knowledge that if I was to zoom out and look at the bigger picture, I would agree that I was purchasing utility by working on it.
I often find it useful to focus my attention on what effects my actions have on the margin. For example, sometimes I randomly go running because I figure the marginal effects on my longevity and energy levels will outweigh the discomfort from running, and I see them as benefits that I can pluck for myself. (If I could quantify energy levels/longevity, the numbers would be going in the right direction.) Or sometimes I’m really tired and I don’t have the energy to figure out what’s optimal and work on it, so I just work on some random useful thing I can do, secure in the knowledge that if I was to zoom out and look at the bigger picture, I would agree that I was purchasing utility by working on it.