Balancing Theory and Practice

[preventingdiabetes]

How much time do you guys dedicate to theory a day? And at what time of the day? 

 

Do you approach theory with a certain mindset or way of thinking?

[ivory]

@preventingdiabetes The important thing is to really know yourself. Get clear on all of your egoic tendencies. This is really important because it allows you to absorb theory more efficiently. Also important to understand, is that change happens slowly. Progress is often barely noticeable. This is important to notice because it will dictate the amount of theory that you read. If you read too much theory, you have a tendency to get confused and overwhelmed.

That said, I don't think there's a black and white answer to your question. When you understand what I suggested above, you know what you need to work on, and you sort of lose attachment to outcome because you know that progress is not fully in your control. Theoretical books serve as references when you have questions, and other times, you simply read because you feel like it.

However, I would say that if you're reading more than a chapter a day you are reading too much. Concepts need to be absorbed, applied, and internalized and that takes time.

[BlackMaze]

Learn as much as you can everyday but without sacrificing taking action on what you learn. Reading one book per week and implementing what i learn slowly and with a long term mindset seems to work for me. 

Also if an area of your life is seriously lacking maybe you are just lacking the right theory so find the best books about that topic and confirm if that's the issue or not. 

Edited October 26, 2020 by BlackMaze

[preventingdiabetes]

@ivory

4 hours ago, ivory said:

Get clear on all of your egoic tendencies.

What's an effective way to do this? 

 

4 hours ago, BlackMaze said:

Reading one book per week and implementing what i learn slowly and with a long term mindset seems to work for me. 

I personally used to read one book per week too but I feel like even that is too much - it can take weeks, months, and even years to really implement what's written in a book. The simplicity and easy practice of reading can be taken for granted and cause mental masturbation imo 

 

[ivory]

@preventingdiabetes Do you know what your core beliefs are? I'd start with that. Spend some time HERE.

[BlackMaze]

8 hours ago, preventingdiabetes said:

@ivory

I personally used to read one book per week too but I feel like even that is too much - it can take weeks, months, and even years to really implement what's written in a book. The simplicity and easy practice of reading can be taken for granted and cause mental masturbation imo 

 

I mostly agree and its better to reread the best books you come across. But you can also highlight or take notes on the most important points and that can speed up the process. Still i think it's better to read alot than not too much because at least then you make sure that you don't lack the theory. 

[Setzer901]

If you find a book good, I think it's better you stick with it for a while to assimilate all its concepts. That said, finding a phenomenal book or course can take time, as there's a lot of fluff, copy-cat content out there. 

How to know what theory is worth it? When you read any book, see if it blows your mind away. Outstanding pieces of work completely shatter your paradigm. You would be better reading that one book 10 times than reading 10 mediocre books.

On the practical side of things, I'd say stick to a certain skill for at least a month to hammer that concept in. I've wasted so much fucking time trying to learn too many skills at once, and I used to go around in circles with NOTHING to show for.

Edited October 27, 2020 by Setzer901