Stories with Tag perfectionism

• Just Write

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  Posted: 2025-02-22 10:10:40

  Verbose tl;dr

  The core message of "Just Write" is to overcome the paralysis of perfectionism and the fear of judgment by simply starting to write. Don't get bogged down in elaborate outlines or editing; instead, prioritize consistent writing practice to develop your skills and discover your voice. The more you write, the easier it becomes, and the better your writing will be. Embrace imperfection, focus on quantity over quality initially, and view writing as a process of iterative refinement. Over time, this consistent effort will lead to significant improvement and unlock your creative potential.

  The author of "Just Write" posits that the most significant impediment to creative output, particularly writing, is not a lack of innate talent or profound inspiration, but rather the pervasive and paralyzing fear of producing something inadequate. This fear manifests as procrastination, perfectionism, and an endless cycle of planning and preparation that ultimately prevents the actual act of creation. The core message of the piece is a simple yet powerful exhortation: to overcome this inertia, one must simply begin writing.

  The author elaborates on this concept, explaining that the initial output may indeed be of substandard quality – clumsy, unrefined, and perhaps even embarrassing. However, this initial, imperfect creation is not the finished product; it serves as the raw material, the foundational clay upon which refinement and improvement can be built. The act of writing itself generates momentum, unlocking a flow of ideas and facilitating the gradual emergence of a more polished and coherent piece. This iterative process, characterized by continuous writing, revision, and refinement, is presented as the true path to producing worthwhile creative work.

  Furthermore, the author emphasizes the liberating nature of detaching oneself from the expectation of immediate perfection. By embracing the imperfection inherent in the early stages of creation, one alleviates the pressure that stifles creativity and allows for a more authentic and exploratory approach. The author suggests that this freedom to experiment and iterate without the burden of self-criticism is crucial for fostering genuine originality and developing one's unique voice. The focus shifts from achieving a flawless final product on the first attempt to engaging in the process of continuous improvement through consistent effort. The act of writing, in and of itself, becomes the catalyst for progress and the pathway to achieving a desired level of quality. This ongoing engagement with the craft is portrayed not as a tedious chore, but as an essential and inherently rewarding aspect of the creative journey.

  • Writing
  • Creative Writing
  • productivity
  • motivation
  • writer's block
  • consistency
  • Habit Formation
  • Blogging
  • Content Creation
  • getting started
  • perfectionism
  • process over product
  • just write

  Summary of Comments ( 26 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43137694

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally agreed with the core message of "Just Write," emphasizing the importance of consistent writing for skill development and idea generation. Several commenters shared their personal experiences with writing streaks and the positive impact it had on their clarity of thought and ability to articulate ideas. Some cautioned against focusing solely on quantity over quality, suggesting a balance is needed. The idea of lowering the bar for publishing, embracing imperfection, and iterating based on feedback was also discussed. One commenter pointed out the parallels between writing and coding, highlighting the iterative nature of both. Another popular sentiment was the importance of finding a niche and writing about topics that genuinely interest the author.

  The Hacker News post "Just Write" (linking to https://blog.chasingbrains.co/p/just-write-stuff) generated a moderate amount of discussion with several compelling comments.

  Many commenters echoed the sentiment of the original post, emphasizing the importance of consistent writing, even if it's not perfect. One commenter pointed out that writing regularly helps to clarify thoughts and solidify understanding, comparing it to the Feynman technique of explaining a concept as if teaching it to someone else. This commenter also highlighted that the act of writing itself can uncover gaps in one's knowledge, prompting further investigation and deeper learning.

  Another commenter focused on the benefits of writing for an audience, suggesting that even a small, niche audience can provide valuable feedback and motivation. They argued that the fear of public judgment can be a powerful motivator for improving writing quality and developing a unique voice.

  Several commenters discussed the practicalities of writing consistently. Some suggested setting realistic goals, such as writing a certain number of words per day or week, while others advocated for incorporating writing into a daily routine. One commenter recommended treating writing like any other skill that requires practice and dedication, emphasizing the importance of showing up consistently even when motivation is low.

  A few commenters shared their personal experiences with writing, offering specific tools and techniques they found helpful. One commenter mentioned using a simple text editor to avoid distractions, while another recommended setting aside dedicated time for writing in a quiet environment.

  Some commenters offered alternative perspectives, cautioning against prioritizing quantity over quality. They argued that while consistent writing is important, it shouldn't come at the expense of clear and concise communication. One commenter suggested focusing on writing for a specific purpose, whether it's to inform, persuade, or entertain, to ensure the writing remains focused and effective.

  Finally, a few commenters discussed the psychological benefits of writing, suggesting that it can be a therapeutic activity that helps to process emotions and gain clarity on personal experiences. One commenter described writing as a form of self-discovery, allowing for reflection and exploration of one's inner thoughts and feelings.

• I Conditioned Myself to Fail

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  Posted: 2025-02-03 16:19:45

  Verbose tl;dr

  The author describes how they inadvertently trained themselves to equate effort with negative outcomes. Starting with a challenging physics class, they developed a belief that trying hard and still failing was worse than not trying at all. This self-protective mechanism spread to other areas of their life, leading to procrastination and avoidance of difficult tasks. Eventually, they recognized this pattern of self-sabotage and began the process of unlearning it by reframing failure as a necessary step in learning and growth, and focusing on the process rather than solely on outcomes. They began tackling challenging tasks, celebrating small victories, and gradually rebuilding their self-confidence.

  The author of "I Conditioned Myself to Fail" elucidates a self-destructive pattern of behavior they developed surrounding academic examinations and, more broadly, challenging tasks. This pattern, rooted in a desire to avoid the perceived pain of potential failure, manifested as elaborate procrastination and avoidance tactics disguised as diligent preparation. Instead of directly confronting the difficulty of the task at hand, the author meticulously crafted a protective narrative. This narrative involved engaging in peripheral activities, like organizing notes or cleaning their workspace, while convincing themselves that these actions were essential prerequisites for true engagement with the core academic material. This allowed them to maintain an illusion of productivity while effectively delaying, and ultimately sabotaging, their actual studies.

  The author describes this preemptive self-sabotage as a form of self-handicapping, a psychological defense mechanism employed to protect their self-esteem. By creating a ready-made excuse for potential failure – namely, the lack of sufficient preparation time due to these peripheral activities – they shielded themselves from the emotional blow of believing they weren't capable of success. The perceived sting of failing due to inadequate effort was deemed less painful than confronting the possibility of failing despite dedicated effort. This elaborate avoidance dance allowed the author to maintain a belief in their own inherent intelligence and capability while simultaneously ensuring they never truly tested those attributes.

  The blog post details how this ingrained behavior pattern extended beyond academic settings, impacting personal projects and other challenging endeavors. The author realized they were perpetually setting themselves up for failure by subconsciously choosing unattainable goals or establishing unrealistic timelines. This realization prompted introspection and a desire to break free from this self-imposed cycle of underachievement. The author concludes with a nascent understanding of their self-defeating tendencies and expresses a hope, albeit tinged with uncertainty, of dismantling this deeply ingrained habit and embracing a more authentic and productive approach to challenges in the future. They acknowledge the arduous journey of unlearning this ingrained behavior, recognizing the necessity of confronting discomfort and embracing the possibility of failure as an integral part of growth and learning.

  • self-sabotage
  • failure
  • Psychology
  • conditioning
  • negative thinking
  • self-improvement
  • mindset
  • procrastination
  • fear of success
  • perfectionism
  • Mental Health
  • habits
  • behavior change
  • personal development
  • motivation

  Summary of Comments ( 32 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42919788

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters largely agreed with the author's premise that negative self-talk and a focus on potential failure can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Several shared similar experiences of psyching themselves out or developing learned helplessness. Some suggested techniques to combat this, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), positive self-talk, and focusing on small wins. One commenter pointed out the link between the article's concept and the idea of "locus of control," emphasizing the importance of feeling agency over one's actions. Another questioned the framing of "conditioning," suggesting it implied a more passive process than the conscious, albeit negative, choices described. A few comments also discussed the potential evolutionary basis for negativity bias and its role in risk avoidance.

  The Hacker News post "I Conditioned Myself to Fail" (linking to an article about the author's self-sabotaging behavior) generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters sharing their own experiences and perspectives on the phenomenon of self-sabotage.

  Several commenters resonated with the author's experience, describing similar patterns in their own lives. One user highlighted the difficulty of recognizing self-sabotage while it's happening, pointing out that it often manifests as seemingly rational decisions in the moment. Another commenter emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of self-sabotage, suggesting that it often stems from a fear of success or a belief that one is undeserving of good things. This fear, they argued, can lead to subconscious behaviors that undermine progress.

  The discussion also touched on strategies for overcoming self-sabotage. One commenter suggested that mindfulness and self-awareness are key to identifying self-sabotaging patterns and interrupting them. Another user recommended setting smaller, more achievable goals to build confidence and momentum, thereby gradually reducing the fear of success. The concept of "inner child work" was also mentioned as a potential avenue for addressing deep-seated beliefs and insecurities that contribute to self-sabotage.

  Some commenters offered alternative perspectives on the author's experience. One suggested that the author's behavior might be attributable to ADHD or other executive function challenges, rather than purely psychological factors. Another user questioned whether the term "self-sabotage" was accurate, arguing that the author might simply have been making rational decisions based on their priorities and circumstances at the time. This prompted a brief discussion about the definition and nuances of self-sabotage.

  Finally, several commenters shared personal anecdotes about their own struggles with self-sabotage, offering examples of how it has manifested in their careers, relationships, and personal projects. These anecdotes added a personal dimension to the conversation, highlighting the prevalence and multifaceted nature of self-sabotaging behavior.