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Attention is all you have

1090 points · 330 comments · zer0tonin

  1. Muhammad523 · · focus · HN ↗
    I noticed that i often spend lots of hours on my computer without doing anything useful but instead doomscrolling on hacker news and watching countless Youtube videos i hardly understand and give little attention. I think i could solve this by making a list of things i want to do on my computer before turning it on, but i haven't tried yet
    1. alexpatin · · focus · HN ↗
      I once came across the concept of a “day list,” and it’s helped me reduce similar habitual distraction/procrastination. It’s like a to-do list, but reframed as “these are the things I could do with my time. Not must.” I describe each item in the simplest possible way, even if it represents a complex task.

      Of course, I still use task managers, calendars, and notes apps, and they’re useful in their own ways. But physically writing a day list with pen and paper reliably keeps me on track. If I start to drift, I look back at the list and it brings me back.

      Your mileage may vary.

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