I would add “writing it down” to the decreasing activation cost list, or at least working it into “Very clear, straightforward instructions”. For me, things generally get done much faster when I put them in my planner, or even just in a text file on my desktop, than when they’re left to float around in my head. Whether that’s because the task is made into clear and straightforward instructions, or because it creates a sense of urgency (“Oh man, it’s written down, I gotta do it”), or just because it exists as a thing in the world rather than an idea, I don’t know, but it’s definitely a result.
Also, this article convinced me to finally stop procrastinating on setting up a LW account after a few months of readership. Hello!
I’m also a big fan of writing things down, just because it frees up that space in my brain for something else. Never mind the obvious reduced likelihood of forgetting about it. :)
I would add “writing it down” to the decreasing activation cost list, or at least working it into “Very clear, straightforward instructions”. For me, things generally get done much faster when I put them in my planner, or even just in a text file on my desktop, than when they’re left to float around in my head. Whether that’s because the task is made into clear and straightforward instructions, or because it creates a sense of urgency (“Oh man, it’s written down, I gotta do it”), or just because it exists as a thing in the world rather than an idea, I don’t know, but it’s definitely a result.
Also, this article convinced me to finally stop procrastinating on setting up a LW account after a few months of readership. Hello!
Welcome!
I’m also a big fan of writing things down, just because it frees up that space in my brain for something else. Never mind the obvious reduced likelihood of forgetting about it. :)