Yep. I use the executive function capacity that I have and I work to increase that capacity over time. But pushing too far past that capacity leads to, you guessed it, burn out.

+1 to the preachiness. You have done zero to help me or anyone else with your comment, GP. But it probably made you feel good to sneer at me.

I hope you get to work 100% remote for the rest of your career though.

edit: for those interested in the empirical science available around discipline, willpower, executive function, I point you to Dr. Huberman who has an INCREDIBLE podcast about these subjects: https://youtu.be/vA50EK70whE

That's exactly what the research says.

We have, a limited amount, of executive function capacity.

People who are "disciplined" actually don't have any more.

They have good personal habits which automates all the executive function stuff.

Figuring out those good personal habits and repeating them on a daily basis is extremely hard.

Some people just have personalities better suited to this or had a more structured upbringing.

It's one of the hardest problems in a person's life, sustaining good habits over very long periods of time.

It goes above normalcy, it's extraordinary, proven by the fact that most people can't do it.

It's one of the hardest problems in a person's life, sustaining good habits over very long periods of time. -Exactly, which is why you try to tackle the problem every day. Not every day is successful, but a handful of days are better then absolute zero.

It goes above normalcy, it's extraordinary, proven by the fact that most people can't do it. - You have to live through each and every second of your life, if you don't set yourself up for success, you'll only have a harder time developing good habits. Life is 100% about developing coping mechanisms. I walk on a treadmill for daily standup, I'm out the office/desk at 4pm and spend time with family/the dog/ a good book. The book thing is key because I've found it levels out my mental state and makes it less erratic.

This is a good comment. Much better than your previous one. Thanks.

> which is why you try to tackle the problem every day

Yes, every day I tackle some of my problems. Many days the effort I spend on a problem is to think about how I can develop habits using less executive function.

Today I plan to check out the gym around the corner, because it's closer than the one I've been going to downtown. So close that I could walk there in <5 minutes. This will be easier than any of a 25 minute walk, a 10 minute bike ride (on streets that people drive recklessly on), or a 5 minute drive (that has a lot of friction, especially parking).

None of these are excuses for not going to the gym, but rather than forcing myself through a high friction process, I'm spending those "discipline points" creatively acting to reduce the friction (while managing the rest of my life).

You should pick a gym half way between work and home on the same route. You may not feel like going, but hey you're going by any way. Or just move you gym time to your lunch hour and be specific on what you do. I like this and it is easy to add or cut based on time, but still make progress, because it will remind you. https://stronglifts.com/5x5/ Nice app too.