You can’t reduce impulsivity by choosing to be less impulsive, you can’t reduce delay by internally committing to a deadline if no one else checks it, there’s no realistic chance of increasing value of many productive activities to the point where they would naturally compete with the best leisure activities, etc. Be careful not to waste time and wellbeing by telling yourself stories that don’t actually solve the problem.
Be aware that having tried and failed at something does not mean it does not work. That’s generalizing from a single example. Remember: “The apprentice laments ‘My art has failed me’, while the master says ‘I have failed my art’”. This is not to say you’re necessarily wrong, just that we need to take a data-based approach, rather than rely on anecdotes.
Fair enough. For me, the art is improving quality of life and the right kinds of productivity, not improving impulse control per se. It may be possible to train myself to commit to internal deadlines for less-than-pleasant activities without external control. But if I can set external deadlines instead, I don’t need that training. The art consists in choosing the right approach while being honest about the costs and inefficiencies. It was the delay in switching to the more effective approach I perceived as lower status that cost me quality of life.
You’re right that this is anecdotal evidence; individual difference may account for a lot here.
How do you know all of that?
I tried. And it has cost me quality of life.
Be aware that having tried and failed at something does not mean it does not work. That’s generalizing from a single example. Remember: “The apprentice laments ‘My art has failed me’, while the master says ‘I have failed my art’”. This is not to say you’re necessarily wrong, just that we need to take a data-based approach, rather than rely on anecdotes.
Fair enough. For me, the art is improving quality of life and the right kinds of productivity, not improving impulse control per se. It may be possible to train myself to commit to internal deadlines for less-than-pleasant activities without external control. But if I can set external deadlines instead, I don’t need that training. The art consists in choosing the right approach while being honest about the costs and inefficiencies. It was the delay in switching to the more effective approach I perceived as lower status that cost me quality of life.
You’re right that this is anecdotal evidence; individual difference may account for a lot here.