HN Books @HNBooksMonth

I do the same thing, because my brother has it. For what it's worth, he went to a series of lectures from the guy that wrote this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Per...

It has helped him deal with things.

I had a similar problem and the only way I could get myself going was by getting a schedule and sticking to it. I only allow myself a certain amount of time a day to do the things I consider unproductive and thats it. Of course it's good to have balance and allow yourself time to just waste it can be become a problem and in my case it did.

Try starting small. At least an hour today of no wasting time on unproductive activities. Then increase gradually.

Might also be a good idea to add obstacles to these activities such as hiding the icon for your browser in five different folders before you can open it, deleting the facebook app on your smartphone, or even packing away you video game consoles. While a completely different theme, a book called the happiness advantage has a chapter on adding obstacles to nudge yourself in the right direction. http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Per...

I'm about to leave soon, so I'll make it quick:

In a previous post I already lauded the book "The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work"[1].

The book is based on scientific results.

In the chapter "The 20 second rule" the author talks about the "activation energy" required to start a task and recommends reducing it as much as possible. Every 20 seconds (hence the title of the chapter) removed between you sitting on the couch and starting what you wanted to start makes a difference.

I have a nice pullup bar hanging from the wall that's staring at me and every other day I follow the simplefit[2] program. Have been following it for weeks now. "Activition energy" being so low... even when I dread doing sport (yes, there are such days) I tell myself it's at most 20 minutes and I can start right away so the pullup bar is looking at me with a face and I shrug and do it. My energy and endurance has increased noticably.

Gotta run now (not to the gym hyuk hyuk), I'll be happy to answer any questions tomorrow.

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Psychol... [2] http://simplefit.org

⬐ Detrus

I bought a weight set. It also stares at me every day. And I work out almost every day. I don't have serious motivational problems.

I could go to a gym in theory, but it's at least 20 minutes away, there would be a whole ritual to dress up, go there, workout, cool off, come back. It would take an extra hour and I imagine many gym goers are paying extra in time to work out. It wears on your motivation.

I know I'd skip many more days, the results would be even less apparent which would undermine my motivation.

Most important exercises can be done with a barbell and 2-300 lbs of plates. At home, without a rack, you could safely squat 150 after getting there with powercleans and overhead prss. Then you could go to a gym once a week for its racks, leg press, etc.

The only thing I regret is buying standard plates, barbells and dumbbells instead of olympics. Standard barbells can't handle more than 230 lbs safely. It would be nice to deadlift and bench 300 lbs at home. Pain in the ass to sell the old set. So if you go this route, I'd recommend spending more and getting olympics. And don't worry about sucky olympic dumbbells, do Starting Strength, it's fine without them.

⬐ billswift

>Standard barbells can't handle more than 230 lbs safely.

Did you get a hollow bar or something? I regularly deadlift 350# on my 6 foot standard bar with no problems. And I haven't seen any claims about safety issues elsewhere. If you actually look at the bars, the central section when the maximum loading is is the same diameter on standard and Olympic bars.

⬐ Detrus

I don't know if it's hollow. It's ~10 lbs, 5ft, came with a cheap 110 lb weight set.

I googled up standard barbell weight capacity and most responses on forums and articles say that standards are only rated for ~230 lbs. This one says 300 http://www.building-muscle101.com/weight-lifting-equipment.h... this guy says ~200 http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=945996&pa...

Here it says 200 for 5ft http://www.bigfitness.com/noname8.html and 250 for 6ft http://www.bigfitness.com/weigbarbr6st1.html

It's a nightmare trying to find out the specs. I prefer a 5ft bar. Say I get more plates and this bar can't handle them, then I have to try other bars. I wish I could sell this weight set and get olympics. No worries about capacities there.

I've almost finished reading "The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work".[1]

It's based on scientific results, so it's not yet another esoteric self-help book.

Now, back to your question: If you expect it to suck, it will suck. The author explains with princile #2 (the fulcrum and the lever) how this negative priming turns this into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, it might be, that the particular job simply stinks, but usually you can find something positive and just thinking about that shortly before will make that negative feeling go away. My explanation might make it seem simple and useless but I can't possibly replace all the valuable advice from the book. And it works. Give it a shot.

It's a very good read and I recommend it very highly.

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Psychol...

If you like 59 seconds I'd also recommend the Happiness Advantage. Also based on scientific results and studies:

http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Psychol...