Case study: A simple algorithm for fixing motivation
So here I was, trying to read through an online course to learn about cloud computing, but I wasn’t really absorbing any of it. No motivation.
Motives are a chain, ending in a terminal goal. Lack of motivation meant that my System 1 did not believe what I was doing would lead to achieving any terminal goal. The chain was broken.
So I traversed the chain to see which link was broken.
Why was I doing the online course? Because I want to become better at my job.
Do I still think doing the online course will make me better at my job? Yes I do.
Do I want to get better at my job? Nah, doesn’t spark joy.
Why do I want to get better at my job? Because I want to get promoted.
Do I still think doing better will make me get promoted? Yes I do.
Do I want to get promoted? Nah, doesn’t spark joy.
Why do I want to get promoted? Because (among other things) I want more influence on my environment, for example by having more money.
Do I still think promotion will give me more influence? Yes I do
Do I want more influence? Nah
Why do I want more influence (via money)? Because (among other things) I want to buy a house and do meetups, and live with close friends at the center of a vibrant community that helps people
Do I think more money will get me this house? Yes I do
Do I want to live with close friends at the center of a vibrant community that helps people? Well, usually yes, but today I kind of just want to go to the beach with my gf, and decompress.
Well okay, but most days you do want this thing.
Shit you’re right, I do want to do this online course
And motivation was restored. Suddenly, I feel invigorated. To do the course, and to write this post.
Another thing you can do when you get to that top level: “Is this the best way to get that? (living with close friends at the center of a vibrant community), if not, what is?”
Case study: A simple algorithm for fixing motivation
So here I was, trying to read through an online course to learn about cloud computing, but I wasn’t really absorbing any of it. No motivation.
Motives are a chain, ending in a terminal goal. Lack of motivation meant that my System 1 did not believe what I was doing would lead to achieving any terminal goal. The chain was broken.
So I traversed the chain to see which link was broken.
Why was I doing the online course? Because I want to become better at my job.
Do I still think doing the online course will make me better at my job? Yes I do.
Do I want to get better at my job? Nah, doesn’t spark joy.
Why do I want to get better at my job? Because I want to get promoted.
Do I still think doing better will make me get promoted? Yes I do.
Do I want to get promoted? Nah, doesn’t spark joy.
Why do I want to get promoted? Because (among other things) I want more influence on my environment, for example by having more money.
Do I still think promotion will give me more influence? Yes I do
Do I want more influence? Nah
Why do I want more influence (via money)? Because (among other things) I want to buy a house and do meetups, and live with close friends at the center of a vibrant community that helps people
Do I think more money will get me this house? Yes I do
Do I want to live with close friends at the center of a vibrant community that helps people? Well, usually yes, but today I kind of just want to go to the beach with my gf, and decompress.
Well okay, but most days you do want this thing.
Shit you’re right, I do want to do this online course
And motivation was restored. Suddenly, I feel invigorated. To do the course, and to write this post.
Another thing you can do when you get to that top level: “Is this the best way to get that? (living with close friends at the center of a vibrant community), if not, what is?”