I find myself struggling with profit escalation and decision paralysis, that is, as I’m doing something Merely Okay I’ll find something that is Slightly Better, and I’ll change to that because it’s better, then I’ll find something Slightly Better than the first thing, and after a few rounds I look at how I’ve started lots and finished little and think, well, if I just picked something I’d probably finish it. But then what to pick? And I pick nothing because I have no criteria for what the best thing to pick is. But when I think, “okay, I’ll just pick something Merely Okay and stick to it.” I have an equally powerful thought that says “Aren’t you wasting your potential? I mean, ‘insert Merely Okay thing here’, really? That’s all you’ve got?” And I’ll think, “well, no, I can do better.” Rinse repeat.
I can still function, most of this trouble lies in my free time, what I do when there is nothing obvious to do. It’s perfectly natural to study, go to work and the like. But when I’m ahead in my studies and there’s no work to be done, I usually end up feeling like garbage because I feel like I’m wasting time by not doing something important. I had a semester where my solution was simply to not have free time, I overloaded my classes, had 3 jobs, and participated in a bunch of clubs. I was so stressed out I developed shingles. I recognize that I need meaningful resting time, but “down-time” only feel like a problem. I don’t feel like I’m doing myself an favor by not doing anything, and I don’t perceptively feel refreshed. So when I have free time I try to figure out what I should do and I fall into this trap I outlined.
Not sure if this will help you, but I’ve found that not all free time is equal. If I spend it looking at shiny screens, I don’t feel rested at all. Walking and daydreaming works much better (it helps that I don’t carry a phone).
Hi Leo, welcome to LW! My best advice is to work hard on tasks that are merely okay, instead of trying to find the best possible task to work on.
I find myself struggling with profit escalation and decision paralysis, that is, as I’m doing something Merely Okay I’ll find something that is Slightly Better, and I’ll change to that because it’s better, then I’ll find something Slightly Better than the first thing, and after a few rounds I look at how I’ve started lots and finished little and think, well, if I just picked something I’d probably finish it. But then what to pick? And I pick nothing because I have no criteria for what the best thing to pick is. But when I think, “okay, I’ll just pick something Merely Okay and stick to it.” I have an equally powerful thought that says “Aren’t you wasting your potential? I mean, ‘insert Merely Okay thing here’, really? That’s all you’ve got?” And I’ll think, “well, no, I can do better.” Rinse repeat.
Have you tried shorter, easier tasks? If you keep failing at those too, it will be a reality check.
I can still function, most of this trouble lies in my free time, what I do when there is nothing obvious to do. It’s perfectly natural to study, go to work and the like. But when I’m ahead in my studies and there’s no work to be done, I usually end up feeling like garbage because I feel like I’m wasting time by not doing something important. I had a semester where my solution was simply to not have free time, I overloaded my classes, had 3 jobs, and participated in a bunch of clubs. I was so stressed out I developed shingles. I recognize that I need meaningful resting time, but “down-time” only feel like a problem. I don’t feel like I’m doing myself an favor by not doing anything, and I don’t perceptively feel refreshed. So when I have free time I try to figure out what I should do and I fall into this trap I outlined.
Not sure if this will help you, but I’ve found that not all free time is equal. If I spend it looking at shiny screens, I don’t feel rested at all. Walking and daydreaming works much better (it helps that I don’t carry a phone).