2322 Navigating Procrastination and Time Discounting: A Reflection on Scotto Allan's "Built For Stealth"

 In my previous blog (No. 2320), I promised a series on Totalitarianism, but I've shifted focus to a topic that resonates deeply with many of us: improving our time discount rate, a key theme in this blog. I stumbled upon an intriguing book that aligns with this endeavor: "Built For Stealth: Key Principles for Building a Great Life" by Scotto Allan, discovered during my search for new Audible content.

Scotto Allan, a notable figure in life skills and empowerment, addresses a critical aspect of human behavior in this book: procrastination. He argues that this tendency disrupts our progress and leads to losses in time, money, and pride, likening its impact to compound interest. The book delves into common reasons for procrastination, such as fear of error, disinterest, lack of eagerness, and absence of confidence.

While Allan's insights are compelling, I hold a nuanced view. Procrastination, in my opinion, is a more complex issue, intertwined with decision-making processes that extend beyond the scope of his analysis. The book, however, offers pragmatic advice for those who acknowledge their procrastination habits and seek improvement:

Self-Analysis: List your pending tasks.

Decision-Making: Choose the easiest action from your list.

Execution: Implement your chosen action.

Despite my theoretical agreement, I find Allan's approach somewhat idealistic. It raises a question: How effectively can individuals prone to procrastination recognize and address their habits?

Personal Reflection

Given the book's status as a bestseller, it undoubtedly presents a viable solution for those aware of their time discounting issues. Personally, I can adopt about 20-30% of the recommended habits, depending on my mood. My confidence in fully embracing his advice wavers.

A motivational phrase that resonates with me is, “When are you going to do it? NOW is the time!” Popularized in Japan in 2013 by Osamu Hayashi, a renowned preparatory school teacher, this simple yet impactful statement helps realign my focus when I stray.

Final Thoughts: A Balanced View for Personal Growth

"Built For Stealth" by Scotto Allan stands as a beacon for those aspiring to enhance their lives, offering insights and strategies that can be profoundly transformative. Its principles, rooted in tackling procrastination and enhancing life skills, are universally applicable, providing a roadmap for personal growth and empowerment.

However, it's important to acknowledge that while the book presents a compelling framework, its application might be demanding for some. The strategies and habits Allan recommends, though beneficial, might appear somewhat ambitious for the average individual. This does not diminish the book's value but rather highlights the need for each reader to adapt its lessons to their own unique circumstances and capacities.

In essence, the book is an invitation to challenge oneself, to step beyond comfort zones, and to embrace personal development. Whether you find yourself seamlessly aligning with Allan's recommendations or adapting them to fit your pace and lifestyle, the core message remains the same: improvement and growth are continuous journeys, and every step, no matter how small, counts towards building a great life.

So, whether you are someone who readily embraces change or someone who takes gradual steps towards it, "Built For Stealth" offers a perspective worth considering. It's a guide that encourages, but does not demand, a reevaluation of one's approach to life and procrastination, making it a recommended read for anyone on the path of self-improvement.

2321 Urban Wildlife and the Shadow of Totalitarianism: A Japanese Perspective

In a recent, startling development in Japan, broadcasts have reported the appearance of wild bears in cities – locations where their presence was previously unheard of. This unusual occurrence has been attributed to a shortage of acorns, stemming from abnormal weather patterns. Yet, this explanation only scratches the surface of a more complex issue involving multiple factors.

I’d like to explore another dimension of this phenomenon. It revolves around our relentless drive towards modernization and standardization, a path that, I argue, nudges us closer to a form of totalitarianism. This pursuit has been a hallmark of human progress, but it often leads to a disproportionate balance of power between nature and human society.

Reflecting on my youth in Japan, I recall frequent encounters with wild dogs in urban settings. These experiences are now a thing of the past, as nearly all wild dogs, whether in urban or rural areas, are swiftly removed by public health centers. This nationwide policy of excluding wild dogs overlooks their historical role as natural defenders against bears and other wildlife, such as boars, monkeys, and civets. These dogs once maintained a symbiotic balance within our living spaces, a balance now lost.

Today, our approach to wildlife management has shifted dramatically. We erect barriers – starting from one meter and escalating to three meters with electrified wires – in an endless struggle to keep wildlife at bay. This escalating conflict resembles a real-life ‘cat and mouse’ game, highlighting our growing estrangement from the natural world.

The term ‘totalitarianism’ may seem intense, but it accurately captures our increasing tendency to exert control over our environment. In my upcoming blog series, I plan to further explore this idea, drawing insights from renowned author and anatomist Takeshi Yoro. Yoro’s perspective on globalization as a form of totalitarianism was initially shocking to me. However, it’s a concept I’ve come to acknowledge and will discuss in the context of why globalization aligns with totalitarianism.

This blog serves as an introduction to a series of discussions planned for the new year, where we’ll delve deeper into these themes.

2320: Embracing the Unexpected Journey

Celebrating Milestones and Overcoming Challenges

As I sit down to pen the 20th edition of this blog, a sense of accomplishment fills my heart. Reaching this milestone was both unexpected and deeply rewarding. When I embarked on this journey in August, my confidence wavered. The thought of maintaining a weekly blog, constantly generating fresh, engaging topics seemed daunting. Yet, here we are, celebrating Volume 20—a testament to perseverance and growth.

The Evolution of My Blogging Journey

This blog started as a simple platform for sharing thoughts and experiences. Initially, ideas flowed effortlessly, like water from a spring. Each week brought new agendas, new stories, and new insights. However, as time passed, particularly after Volume 15, I faced new challenges. The once abundant spring of ideas seemed to slow to a trickle. I found myself searching for content that would resonate with my followers, wondering about the impact and contribution of my work.

Breaking Through Creative Blocks

The question then arose: How do I break through this phase of uncertainty and creative block? The answer, I found, lies in stepping out of my comfort zone. I realized that to keep my blog vibrant and relevant, I needed to explore new environments and experiences. Stepping out of the home office and immersing myself in different settings became a source of inspiration. Whether it was a walk in the park, a visit to a local art exhibition, or simply observing the hustle and bustle of city life, each experience brought new perspectives.

Embracing Change for Continuous Growth

I learned that change is essential for growth. It’s about embracing new challenges and being open to the unexpected. Every experience, every interaction, has the potential to spark a new idea, a new topic for my blog. This approach not only helped me overcome the creative block but also enriched my personal and professional life.

Looking Forward with Confidence

As I celebrate this 20th volume, I am more confident about the future. My blog has evolved from a personal project to a platform that connects with followers, sharing insights and experiences that resonate with them. It has become a flyer for my future, a testament to my evolving professional journey.

Final Thoughts

To my readers, whether you've been with me since the beginning or have just joined, your support and engagement have been invaluable. You've been a part of this journey, and I look forward to continuing to share it with you. Here's to many more volumes, filled with new experiences, learnings, and connections.

2319:The Power of Patience: How LRM Enhances Decision-Making

Introduction:

Building on the discussions in my previous blog (No. 2302), I want to share a personal story that illustrates the Last Responsible Moment (LRM) concept, a key principle in Agile project management and Lean thinking. LRM advocates delaying decisions until they become critically necessary, yet still allows for a successful outcome.

My LRM Experience:

Last autumn, I faced a practical situation that called for the application of LRM. My car's winter tires, mounted on the wheels used for summer tires, needed to be replaced. Planning ahead for the next summer, I decided to buy spare wheels for the summer tires so I could handle the replacement myself in my parking lot.

I searched for suitable second-hand wheels on Japanese online marketplaces. Fortunately, I found a perfect set of genuine wheels from a car maker at a reasonable price, although they came with used tires. I quickly decided to purchase them.

The wheels arrived in excellent condition, with almost no scratches. It appeared that the seller had replaced them with a custom set shortly after buying the car. To my surprise, the wheels included nearly new winter tires.

Here's where the LRM principle comes into play. Just two weeks after purchasing and replacing the winter tires, I found the exact wheels I initially wanted, equipped with fresh winter tires. Had I waited to purchase the winter tires until after finding these wheels, I could have saved about $1,000.

Reflections:

The challenge was the unpredictability of finding my preferred wheels, especially ones paired with fresh summer tires. In November, with the winter season beginning, I rushed to make a purchase, influenced by System-1 thinking and the concept of a time discount rate (as discussed in blogs No. 2311 and No. 2303). However, this decision, contrary to the LRM approach, led to an unnecessary expense.

Lessons Learned:

Decision-making often occurs under uncertainty. While some decisions turn out to be correct, others do not. This experience taught me the importance of not overly regretting suboptimal outcomes. It's crucial to have a margin for error and avoid risking everything on one decision. Keeping our investments within manageable limits allows for easier recovery with minimal extra effort and cost.

Conclusion:

A relevant Japanese proverb, "果報は寝て待て" (Good things come to those who wait), echoes my experience. While I usually support the time discount rate method, this incident has given me a deeper appreciation for the Last Responsible Moment strategy, highlighting how patience can sometimes prevent unnecessary expenditure and effort.