talk-end-of-procrastination/slides/intro.md

7.6 KiB

When procrastinating...

  • you avoid urgent tasks.
  • you spend time on useless things.
  • you don't rest, nor regain energy.

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And then...

  • you fall behind and get stressed.
  • you regret losing your precious time.
  • you feel miserable and tired.

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...but why?

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😐 "I don't feel like it."

"I'm too tired now." 😪

😕 "I don't know how to do it."

"I'm too busy now." 🧐

😇 "I'll do it, but first []."

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No, really. Why?

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Expanding potential

Never before did we have so much...

  • life expectancy, safety, stability
  • freedom, opportunity
  • accessible information, knowledge

...and so many options to choose from!


Decision Paralysis

We can easily become overwhelmed by options.

  • What if I pick the wrong option?
  • Should I go back and try the other one?
  • Will this be the best use of my resources?
  • Shouldn't I spend more time researching this?
  • What is the best choice?

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Finding the best option hurts,

so we leave it for later.

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But as the saying goes...

The best is the mortal enemy of the good

Montesquieu

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But as the saying goes...

Premature optimization is the root of all evil

Donald Knuth


How to make good decisions?

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Try out everything?

Breadth First Search
Random Maze
Speed
Restart

This could take a lifetime.

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Try whatever comes?

Depth First Search
Random Maze
Speed
Restart

On average this takes several lifetimes.

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Focus in one direction?

Greedy Algorithm
Random Maze
Speed
Restart

Now we're making progress!


Personal Intermezzo!

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I 💘

Code + Computers

+ Coffee

+ Perfection

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I enjoy meeting people*

once a week.

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Career Review

Master's degree in Informatics,
Parallel and Distributed Systems

Role duration
Software Developer for 4 years
Sr. Software Developer for 4 years
Dev Manager for 5 years
Sr. Dev Manager for 1+ year

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Last year I realized

  • I'm unhappy
  • I procrastinate
  • I can't keep up at work
  • I'm scared of the next workday

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Library to the rescue!

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My Stack of Books

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The End of Procrastination

by Petr Ludwig

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Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Duckworth

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Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being

by Martin Seligman

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Focus: A Simplicity Manifesto in the Age of Distraction

by Leo Babauta

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Leaders Eat Last

by Simon Sinek