HACKER Q&A
📣 vipush

How do you stay consistent in the face of other interesting things?


My biggest problem is I am inconsistent. I've been trying to "fix" it: setting smaller goals, doing a little bit every day, etc.

But as soon as a have a solid plan, which I am sure can take me to the next step in whatever it is - this knowledge, this certainty causes me to lose my interest.

It seems the only constant thing about me is the thrill of discovering something new and unknown. As soon as it moves to the "known" - I lose interest in it.

This mindset, this kind of character is really harming my long-term well-being, and I must admit I don't know what to do about it.

Has anyone had similar experience? Has anyone succeeded taming it?

  👤 sonabinu Accepted Answer ✓
Deep work by Cal Newport is a great book to help you get started. He also does occasional coaching classes to help develop this focus. Another online class that contacts in my circle speak of as having been successful for them is habitstrong.com . Check out https://www.habitstrong.com/learning
👤 Ibethewalrus
as mentioned, check if ADHD: https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDmemes/comments/fv42bz/my_life_f...

how to cope: Reduce clutter, organize your life, reduce distractions, simplify steps in everything.

Check book "Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD" by Pinsky

👤 ziggystardust
you might wanna consider that you may be affected by adhd.

- "lose my interest"

- "inconsistent"

- "thrill"

Sounds like classic adhd.

It won't be easy for you to get consistent without external help but you can start by externalizing your tasks. Write down every morning physically on a piece of paper what you want to work on and rewrite them by priority

Start crossing off one at a time. If you lose interest in the first task, You will have to rewrite the task as something "thrilling" to get you started.

Problem with people with adhd is getting "thrilled" about a thing and then "losing interest" quickly. even though you know you need to complete it irrespective of what you feel like.

"You know what to do, when to do and how to do things but you cannot DO it. And you know that you can do it but at the same time you also know that you cannot do it."

Do you relate to this?

👤 hammadnasir
I too want help regarding this.. have similar problem