This is a great list. I think it’s too easy to focus on will power alone.
I’ve been training myself for years to be able to work longer hours. I’ve built up to the point where I can work for 12-16 hours straight, everyday. Unfortunately I’m only now realizing the extent of other costs. During weeks or months when I’m working hard, I have begun to notice many things:
I find it much harder to remain completely calm and respectful while interacting with people close to me. (I used to pride myself on my levelheadedness in interpersonal relationships)
I find myself physically tense. I have to consciously relax muscles, especially facial muscles. (I used to pride myself on being very relaxed, physically and emotionally)
I’m much more neurotic, and frequently lose sleep analyzing whatever problem I’m working on.
Thoughts of opportunity cost are ever prevalent, and wear me out emotionally.
I’ve been trying to develop a personal philosophy in contrast to Eliezer’s Extraordinary Effort idea that stresses not having an emotional stake in what I work on, especially if I work on it 12 hours a day (I call it Directed Apathy). I’ve had some mild success but in the end it may be that I just need to work less in order to stay sane.
I find it much harder to remain completely calm and respectful while interacting with people close to me.
I’ve noticed that too: I’m much less agreeable if I’m sleep-deprived or if I’ve been studying hard for a while, even when I’m not actually feeling tired.
Do you feel like your productivity has gone up significantly thanks to these extra hours? Do you have any objective, external metrics that might confirm that?
This is a great list. I think it’s too easy to focus on will power alone.
I’ve been training myself for years to be able to work longer hours. I’ve built up to the point where I can work for 12-16 hours straight, everyday. Unfortunately I’m only now realizing the extent of other costs. During weeks or months when I’m working hard, I have begun to notice many things:
I find it much harder to remain completely calm and respectful while interacting with people close to me. (I used to pride myself on my levelheadedness in interpersonal relationships)
I find myself physically tense. I have to consciously relax muscles, especially facial muscles. (I used to pride myself on being very relaxed, physically and emotionally)
I’m much more neurotic, and frequently lose sleep analyzing whatever problem I’m working on.
Thoughts of opportunity cost are ever prevalent, and wear me out emotionally.
I’ve been trying to develop a personal philosophy in contrast to Eliezer’s Extraordinary Effort idea that stresses not having an emotional stake in what I work on, especially if I work on it 12 hours a day (I call it Directed Apathy). I’ve had some mild success but in the end it may be that I just need to work less in order to stay sane.
I’ve noticed that too: I’m much less agreeable if I’m sleep-deprived or if I’ve been studying hard for a while, even when I’m not actually feeling tired.
Do you feel like your productivity has gone up significantly thanks to these extra hours? Do you have any objective, external metrics that might confirm that?