What works?

Concrete

  • Making and drilling flashcards
  • Communicating as frequently and transparently as possible; erring on the side of “too much information” and trusting people to push back
  • Using commitment devices judiciously (i.e. as a last resort)
  • Using pen and paper
  • Listening to calming music
  • Fessing up
  • Reaching out to people

Abstract

  • Taking things seriously
  • Looking at things from a different perspective
  • Addressing causes instead of just effects
  • Continuing to do things that seem pointless or hopeless
  • Trying again
  • Progressive overload
  • Making compromises

What doesn’t work?

  • Avoiding people
  • Attacking people
  • Setting unrealistic expectations
  • Trying to scold self into doing something
  • Being secretly ashamed
  • Doing busywork
  • Ingesting without digesting
  • Using LLMs in general

What works a bit?

  • Doing things in the morning
  • Deleting Twitter
  • Figuring out how much time to spend on things
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Setting limits
  • Reflecting on things; writing things
  • Exercising