As a web developer, I’m eager to learn SwiftUI. However, most components are web-based, making conversion challenging. I’ve been using Codex, which uses Chrome DevTools MCP to inspect elements. I’m enjoying it so much and ended up created my own converter. I’ve been working late, forgetting it’s 3 am.
I had a great time using GPT-5.3 Codex to build this Android native app (in Kotlin and Jetpack Compose) for my good friend. She specifically requested a Bible app in Batak Toba and Batak Karo languages (Pustaka Si Badia), along with a daily article displayed in a webview.
GPT-5.3 Codex is really a great model, bravo OpenAI!
Today I learned a lot about “Behavioral Activation” / “Body-first principle” and “Riding Existing Dopamine”. I learned about them because I’m struggling with starting things I’m supposed to do. What I need is a series of momentum, that’s why action comes first before motivation.
The initiation problem in ADHD isn’t a motivation problem in the way most people understand motivation. It’s a **dopamine timing problem.**
Hyperfocus is not a power you command; it’s a state you invite.
Behavioral Activation and the Body-First Principle
This comes from depression research but applies directly to ADHD initiation.
The traditional model: Motivation → Action → Result
The behavioral activation model: Action → Result → Motivation
You don’t wait for motivation. You create conditions where action happens FIRST, and motivation follows.
For ADHD specifically, this means: Move the body before trying to move the mind.
Your cold shower idea is on the right track — you’re trying to shift your physiological state. But you identified the problem: starting the shower is its own initiation barrier.
What if the first action is even smaller?
Research on the autonomic nervous system shows that even small physical actions can shift your state:
∙ Standing up (different blood flow, different brain state)
∙ Walking to a different room (context switch)
∙ 10 jumping jacks (dopamine/norepinephrine release)
∙ Holding ice cube (immediate sensory focus)
The sequence might be:
1. Stand up (easy, no resistance)
2. Walk to workspace (you’re already moving)
3. Touch the keyboard (you’re already there)
4. Type literally anything (you’re already in motion)
Each step is small enough that resistance doesn’t have time to build. You’ve momentum-hacked your way past initiation.
Riding Existing Dopamine
This one is counterintuitive but supported by research on dopamine half-life.
When you do something enjoyable — watch an interesting video, have a good conversation, eat something tasty — your dopamine system is temporarily elevated. It takes 20-30 minutes to return to baseline.
During this window, initiation is EASIER because you have “borrowed” dopamine in your system.
The strategy: Attach the hard task to the tail end of something enjoyable.
Not as a reward (“if I work, then I can watch YouTube”) but as a sequence (“after I watch one interesting video, I immediately start work — no gap”).
This is different from the usual advice because you’re not using pleasure as motivation. You’re using pleasure as a LAUNCH PAD. You’re borrowing its neurochemical momentum.
The key is: no gap. The moment the enjoyable thing ends, you pivot to the hard thing. If there’s a gap, the dopamine dissipates and you’re back to baseline resistance.
My M1 MacBook is too slow to run Xcode, but thanks to AI, I can now use the Command Line Interface (I’m using ChatGPT on Droid Factory AI CLI) to run the simulator via command line. The fun part is that I’m using sounds/weaponcasings_rifle.wav from the Fallout 76 game when the Droid CLI completes the task. It feels like playing and earning XP every time the AI performs an action. And guess what? I’m using JetBrains IDE instead of Xcode, as long as it works, right? 😂
Well, today I really enjoyed working with the Playwright API and fetching data with TypeScript. I spent more than 6 hours on this project, and when I looked at the clock, it was 1:30 am in the morning. I should get some sleep because I need to work on other tasks tomorrow. Maybe I'll take a break outside for a while. I hope I'll have enough energy tomorrow. Oh, I'm really happy and excited today because I experienced the 'flow' or 'being in the zone,' as they say. I love this life. Time to sleep now.
I feel that I learn more effectively with the help of AI (using the new Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet). Today, I learned about React 18 and TypeScript. Well, I know this is a long commitment and it will probably take years before I finish all that I need to build a profitable SaaS, but hey, it's not impossible, right? For today, I just want to be glad that I'm learning better and better, and with AI development in the world moving at such a fast pace now, I can't help but feel optimistic. I'll do better each day, I'll do better. May the universe give me the strength and perseverance I need.
I installed the Agnoster theme for my Zsh using Oh My Zsh plugins (including Git and the Agnoster theme). Additionally, I installed:
- zsh-syntax-highlighting
- zsh-autosuggestions
It has been an enjoyable learning experience. I love the aesthetic, and now I feel the power of AI in my IDE using Cursor IDE (a VSCode fork).
The "2-minute rule" is a simple productivity technique designed to help overcome procrastination and build momentum for larger tasks. Here's a breakdown of what it is, why it's effective, and how to implement it:
What: The 2-minute rule states that if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, you should do it immediately rather than putting it off.
Why:
- Reduces mental clutter: Small tasks can accumulate and become overwhelming.
- Builds momentum: Completing quick tasks can motivate you to tackle larger ones.
- Prevents procrastination: It's harder to put off something that takes very little time.
- Increases productivity: Many small tasks add up to significant progress over time.
How to implement:
- Identify tasks: When you encounter a task, ask yourself if it can be done in 2 minutes or less.
- Act immediately: If yes, do it right away without delay.
- For larger tasks: Break them down into 2-minute segments to get started.
By consistently applying this rule, you can reduce procrastination and increase your overall productivity. The goal is to build a habit of taking immediate action on small tasks, which can lead to tackling larger projects with less hesitation.
Reblogged
productivefairy-deactivated2025
Instead of the same 25-5 pomodoro method you should just choose one task and do that for the productive session and choose a selfcare/ relaxation break task that you can do in your break.
Explanation -
Say you have 5 pages assignment to do , so depending on your mood, condition and time strain you can choose to do whole 5 assignment, 2.5 page, half page or even first 2 lines.
And then in break you take a walk or maybe get yourself a drink or anything you like to do to relax.
This boosts your productivity and your mind wont be on clock dreading.
Some great examples of how to make your JavaScript learning more attractive:
Build fun projects:
- Create a simple game like Tic-Tac-Toe or Snake
- Develop a personal portfolio website
- Make a weather app that uses real-time data
Use interactive coding platforms:
- Try Codecademy's JavaScript course
- Explore freeCodeCamp's JavaScript challenges
- Use CodePen to experiment with small code snippets
Gamify your learning:
- Complete coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank
- Participate in coding competitions or hackathons
- Set personal goals and reward yourself for achieving them
Visualize your code:
- Use p5.js to create visual art with JavaScript
- Build interactive data visualizations with D3.js
- Create animations using the Canvas API
Solve real-world problems:
- Automate repetitive tasks in your daily life
- Build a Chrome extension to enhance your browsing experience
- Create a simple budgeting app to manage your finances
Collaborate with others:
- Join a local coding meetup or study group
- Contribute to open-source projects on GitHub
- Pair program with a friend or mentor
Learn through teaching:
- Start a blog to document your learning journey
- Create tutorial videos for YouTube
- Explain concepts to friends or in online forums
Explore creative coding:
- Generate procedural art using JavaScript
- Create music with Web Audio API
- Build interactive storytelling experiences
Integrate with APIs:
- Create a movie recommendation app using the TMDB API
- Build a Twitter bot using the Twitter API
- Develop a recipe finder using a food API
Make it social:
- Share your progress on social media
- Join coding-focused Discord servers or Slack channels
- Participate in code review sessions with peers
Use JavaScript in unexpected ways:
- Control IoT devices with JavaScript and Node.js
- Create a chatbot using natural language processing libraries
- Build a simple machine learning model with TensorFlow.js
Customize your learning environment:
- Set up a comfortable and inspiring workspace
- Use a code editor with themes and extensions you enjoy
- Create custom snippets for frequently used code patterns
Choose projects and approaches that align with your interests and goals to maintain motivation throughout your learning journey.
Some effective tips and tricks for developing self-love and self-validation, along with examples:
- Practice positive self-talk: Example: Instead of "I'm so stupid for making that mistake," say "I'm learning and growing from this experience."
- Set and celebrate small goals: Example: Aim to read 10 pages of a book daily, then congratulate yourself when you achieve it.
- Keep a gratitude journal: Example: Write down three things you're grateful for about yourself each day, like "I'm proud of my creativity in solving problems at work."
- Challenge negative thoughts: Example: When thinking "Nobody likes me," counter it with evidence like "My friend called to check on me yesterday."
- Practice self-compassion: Example: Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend who's struggling.
- Engage in self-care activities: Example: Take a relaxing bath, go for a walk in nature, or cook your favorite meal.
- Set healthy boundaries: Example: Learn to say "no" to extra work when you're already overwhelmed.
- Acknowledge your strengths: Example: Make a list of your positive qualities and achievements, and review it regularly.
- Practice mindfulness: Example: Spend 5 minutes daily focusing on your breath, observing thoughts without judgment.
- Pursue hobbies and interests: Example: Dedicate time to activities you enjoy, like painting or playing an instrument.
- Avoid comparison: Example: When scrolling social media, remind yourself that you're seeing others' highlight reels, not their full reality.
- Accept compliments graciously: Example: Instead of deflecting praise, simply say "Thank you, I appreciate that."
- Forgive yourself for past mistakes: Example: Write a letter of forgiveness to yourself for a past regret, then ceremonially burn or dispose of it.
- Surround yourself with positive influences: Example: Spend more time with friends who uplift and support you.
- Practice affirmations: Example: Start your day by looking in the mirror and saying, "I am worthy of love and respect."
Developing self-love and self-validation is a journey. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small progress along the way.
Some top tips and tricks for effective time blocking management, along with examples:
- Start with priority tasks: Example: Block out 9-11 AM for your most important work when your energy is highest.
- Use consistent block sizes: Example: Create 30-minute or 1-hour blocks for easier scheduling and rhythm.
- Include buffer time: Example: If you have a 1-hour meeting, block 1.5 hours to account for preparation and follow-up.
- Color-code categories: Example: Use blue for work tasks, green for personal activities, and red for high-priority items.
- Schedule breaks: Example: Add a 15-minute break between 2-hour work blocks to recharge.
- Batch similar tasks: Example: Group all your emails and communications into a 1-hour block after lunch.
- Use digital tools: Example: Utilize calendar apps like Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook for easy adjustments.
- Review and adjust regularly: Example: Spend 15 minutes every Friday afternoon to plan and optimize next week's blocks.
- Include personal time: Example: Block out 6-7 PM for exercise or family time to maintain work-life balance.
- Be flexible: Example: If an urgent task arises, move less critical blocks to later in the day or week.
Remember, the key is to find a system that works for you and stick to it consistently.
In decision-making, several common fallacies can lead to poor choices. Here are some of the most usual fallacies:
- Confirmation Bias: Favoring information that confirms pre-existing beliefs or biases while disregarding information that contradicts them.
- Anchoring: Relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the "anchor") when making decisions.
- Availability Heuristic: Overestimating the importance of information that is most readily available, often because it is recent or memorable.
- Overconfidence: Having excessive confidence in one's own answers, judgments, or predictions, often leading to risky decisions.
- Sunk Cost Fallacy: Continuing to invest in a decision based on the cumulative prior investment (time, money, resources) rather than current and future potential.
- Framing Effect: Making different decisions based on how information is presented, rather than on the information itself.
- Bandwagon Effect: Making decisions based on what others are doing, often leading to herd behavior.
- Gambler’s Fallacy: Believing that future probabilities are influenced by past events, even when the events are independent (e.g., expecting a coin toss to land heads after several tails).
- Hindsight Bias: Seeing events as having been predictable after they have already occurred.
- False Dichotomy (False Dilemma): Presenting two options as the only possibilities when, in fact, more options exist.
- Self-Serving Bias: Attributing successes to internal factors (like skill) and failures to external factors (like luck).
- Recency Bias: Giving undue weight to the most recent information or experiences.
- Status Quo Bias: Preferring things to stay the same by doing nothing or maintaining a current or previous decision.
- Illusory Correlation: Perceiving a relationship between variables (typically people, events, or behaviors) even when no such relationship exists.
- Base Rate Fallacy: Ignoring statistical information (base rates) in favor of specific information.
- Escalation of Commitment: Increasing commitment to a failing course of action when faced with increasingly negative outcomes.
Well, today I completed 17% of my JavaScript Fundamentals course after many long working hours. I managed to study as well. The iPad really helps because now I can study while lying down until I fall asleep. Enjoying every aspect of my study sessions is the strategy I'm using, which I refer to as 'a beginner's mindset'.
It's 2 a.m. here, and the night feels incredibly lonely. I can't sleep due to the overwhelming amount of tasks I need to handle, including some mundane work. I'm running low on patience, eagerly looking forward to learning Adobe After Effects more. Maybe the struggle will be justified by the pleasure of crafting something new.