Return on Attention
Pouring our attention into notes and expressing ourselves is an investment of ourselves and our future. We can simplify this investment as a clean equation: $$ \frac{\text{Return}}{\text{Attention Invested}} $$
The \(\text{Return}\) in this case can be different forms of our expression, such as blog post or youtube videos.
Typical Attention Investment Curve
There will be friction in any kind of work nonetheless. We need recognize that and understand that such frictions might contribute to our procrastination. (On how to reduce the friction and inducing more [[Deep Work]]❌ or [[Atomic Habits]]❌)
Any interruptions that happening during the setup phase, it restart the whole process, meaning we have to go through the struggle all over again.
Intermediate Packets
It refers to the intermediate and modular results of your workflow. For example, in the following work session, 4 ~ 7 can be intermediate packets.
- Research
- Notes
- Brainstorms
- Examples
- Outlines
- Prototypes
- Drafts
- Last-minute crazy ideas
- Final deliverables
Such packets, usually refined, can be reused in future projects. (This echos the concept of atomic notes from #productivity/zettelkasten where notes can live and connected simultaneously in multiple places)
By reframing projects into sequential of intermediate packets/tasks, you can marginalize the destructions interruptions can cause.
How to Create Intermediate Packets
Creating intermediate packets is equal to expressing in this case.
- Observing, not an expression itself, is the prerequisite for all expressions. e.g. taking notes and consuming ideas.
- Writing
- Drawing
- Acting
- Producing
- Selling
Why Express is Important
Vico, Giambattista | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The Verum-Factum Principle
Perhaps the greatest significance of the Ancient Wisdom lies in its presentation of the verum-factum principle. This and the ideal eternal history are Vico’s two most famous ideas. The verum-factum principle holds that one can know the truth in what one makes. Vico writes, “For the Latins, verum (the true) and factum (what is made) are interchangeable, or to use the customary language of the Schools, they are convertible (Ancient Wisdom 45).”