Oh boy, a lot to unpack here, my friend. I get this, and agree that when learning becomes a crutch rather than a muscle builder, it can be counter-productive. That’s why the tools you provide are invaluable. It’s a great coaching model.
Love this!! My trap has been living the planning, strategy, creation, outlining… STARTING… and then reinventing and iterating and reworking over and over. Fake doing 🥳😭
I am trying this too but even figuring out prompts sends me into ‘writing the *perfect* prompt’ spiral where then I have to learn forevermore about it, lol
Oh I was there too haha - can definitely relate to that struggle and spiral 🫠 Idk if it'll help you, but there's this YT creator I genuinely admire as an AI expert who's really good with vibe coding. Feel free to check her out (she's awesome) - https://www.youtube.com/@TinaHuang1
I love this! I'm a heavy AI user. After messing with all the private / specialty AIs (and heavy use of Claude for writing assistance), I'm back to ChatGPT and GPT agents and yes, it does all the heavy lifting.
I'd love to hear what you guys are using and how! I haven't done a run through of new AIs for about 6 months.
Omg sameee! I did use Claude a lot recently for writing, but eventually shifted back to ChatGPT for a wider scope of use (Claude somehow still feels limited when it comes to AI / vibe coding) + OpenAI's got its own AI agent builder now wohoooo! 🎉
I'm currently using a mix of app-building tools to test their potential in building apps/trackers.
This really captures the learning loop - that dopamine hit from consuming information that feels like progress.
The "Trying Hour" is a solid starting point. When I tried it though, I hit a wall around minute 12: my brain started questioning whether I was doing it "right" and wanted to research just one more approach.
What helped me was adding one simple structure: the Learn-One-Try-One rule. Before consuming new information, I have to apply one thing from what I just learned - even if it's messy or takes 2 minutes.
Example: Read an article about better email management? Apply ONE tip to my inbox right now. Watch a tutorial on time-blocking? Block ONE hour for tomorrow before moving on.
This stops learning from feeling "complete" when it's just consumption. My ADHD brain needs that incompleteness to drive action.
I'm actually writing more about how to make this work specifically for ADHD brains - the executive function piece is key. Turns out there are real neuroscience reasons why willpower alone doesn't work for us.
Curious what others have found works when the simple "just try it" approach hits resistance?
Thanks! The neuroscience piece is fascinating - turns out ADHD brains need different motivational structures than willpower-based systems. Writing more about this early next week.
I find that I want to stop and learn too, and I made a rule that I am only allowed to google the one thing I’m stuck on, get the answer, and move on. It’s mostly helpful, but takes so much conscious energy…
Exactly! You're using what I call "the Decision Tree" approach - only research the blocker. That conscious energy drain you're feeling? That's the signal that willpower-based systems burn out ADHD brains.
Here's what eliminated that energy cost for me completely:
Context Capture in 3 steps (takes 30 seconds total):
1. When you google that answer, immediately capture it with WHERE you'll use it
2. Write a breadcrumb: "Learned X for Y project, need it when Z"
3. Add it to your calendar for when you'll actually need it
Result: You never have to re-google it. The answer appears automatically when you need it - no memory, no search, no energy drain.
The incompleteness of 'learned but not captured' drives you to do those 30 seconds. Then it's done forever.
I wrote about the full system in the next newsletter coming Monday or Tuesday. It's called "Why Your ADHD Brain Collects Information But Never Uses It"
The shift from 'control my googling' to 'capture once, retrieve forever' changed everything. Want to try it for one week and see if it reduces that energy cost?"
Exactly! That’ll be the past me 🥲 i remember hoarding courses only to leave them incomplete because of the very guilt that I couldn’t take action on them. Recently realised that i need to build systems in place to execute more on what I’m learning.
This is so good!! I’ve found myself stuck in the learning loop more times than I can count. I did a similar exercise with charcoal sketches (5-15 minutes daily) and it really changed the way I show up for my art. I had just decided to do the same with my writing when I saw your article, so I’m taking your inspiring words as confirmation! 🥰
Such a great breakdown. I’ve found myself doing this so much over the past few years… and yeah I think a lot of it is fear. Sometimes it’s a constant fight against technology that has a goal of keeping me ‘connected’. Regardless, setting timers like that has been helpful to stay on track.
I can relate so much to what you said. It felt like just learning through it all was enough to keep me updated with what's going on out there. But that was it - there was no growth beyond that. I'm still trying to explore the different aspects of how to best put our wisdom in action by building AI apps/tools! Huge thanks for dropping by 🥺🫶
I am a learning fanatic - I have this excuse that the more I learn, the more I will make a difference in the world. But this article is a wake-up call, and the 1-hour strategy must work for me. Thank you for the easiest but actionable call to action.
Thank you for dropping by Soso - I am a fellow learning fanatic as well 🙌 Let me know if it helps. In the meantime, I'm trying my best to build a simple tool/tracker to put it into action 🫶
Hello Sarvan. It is helping a lot, and I think going forward, my writing journey will take a turn for the better. Congratulations on your project. I will be checking on you for the tool/tracker.
Oh boy, a lot to unpack here, my friend. I get this, and agree that when learning becomes a crutch rather than a muscle builder, it can be counter-productive. That’s why the tools you provide are invaluable. It’s a great coaching model.
Exactly! Thank you 🙌 Been trying my best to build tools that can help us "lift the weight" of what we learn.
Love this!! My trap has been living the planning, strategy, creation, outlining… STARTING… and then reinventing and iterating and reworking over and over. Fake doing 🥳😭
Finally snapped out of it. Yay resets!!
So coooool Amaya 🥺 I'm on my way to snap out of it as well - been working on some AI tools that do the heavylifting for me
I am trying this too but even figuring out prompts sends me into ‘writing the *perfect* prompt’ spiral where then I have to learn forevermore about it, lol
Oh I was there too haha - can definitely relate to that struggle and spiral 🫠 Idk if it'll help you, but there's this YT creator I genuinely admire as an AI expert who's really good with vibe coding. Feel free to check her out (she's awesome) - https://www.youtube.com/@TinaHuang1
Awesome thank you so much, I’ll check her out!
I love this! I'm a heavy AI user. After messing with all the private / specialty AIs (and heavy use of Claude for writing assistance), I'm back to ChatGPT and GPT agents and yes, it does all the heavy lifting.
I'd love to hear what you guys are using and how! I haven't done a run through of new AIs for about 6 months.
Omg sameee! I did use Claude a lot recently for writing, but eventually shifted back to ChatGPT for a wider scope of use (Claude somehow still feels limited when it comes to AI / vibe coding) + OpenAI's got its own AI agent builder now wohoooo! 🎉
I'm currently using a mix of app-building tools to test their potential in building apps/trackers.
- Google Firebase (AI Studio)
- Lovable
- ChatGPT
This really captures the learning loop - that dopamine hit from consuming information that feels like progress.
The "Trying Hour" is a solid starting point. When I tried it though, I hit a wall around minute 12: my brain started questioning whether I was doing it "right" and wanted to research just one more approach.
What helped me was adding one simple structure: the Learn-One-Try-One rule. Before consuming new information, I have to apply one thing from what I just learned - even if it's messy or takes 2 minutes.
Example: Read an article about better email management? Apply ONE tip to my inbox right now. Watch a tutorial on time-blocking? Block ONE hour for tomorrow before moving on.
This stops learning from feeling "complete" when it's just consumption. My ADHD brain needs that incompleteness to drive action.
I'm actually writing more about how to make this work specifically for ADHD brains - the executive function piece is key. Turns out there are real neuroscience reasons why willpower alone doesn't work for us.
Curious what others have found works when the simple "just try it" approach hits resistance?
Love this so much! Been wanting to try this one for so long. Nothing can beat the effectiveness of instant application/execution 🤌
Thanks! The neuroscience piece is fascinating - turns out ADHD brains need different motivational structures than willpower-based systems. Writing more about this early next week.
Oh yess! Sounds exciting 🔥 I’ll make sure to check it out
I find that I want to stop and learn too, and I made a rule that I am only allowed to google the one thing I’m stuck on, get the answer, and move on. It’s mostly helpful, but takes so much conscious energy…
Oh, I can relate. Definitely needs a lot of control over oneself, especially when everything's at our fingertips
Exactly! You're using what I call "the Decision Tree" approach - only research the blocker. That conscious energy drain you're feeling? That's the signal that willpower-based systems burn out ADHD brains.
Here's what eliminated that energy cost for me completely:
Context Capture in 3 steps (takes 30 seconds total):
1. When you google that answer, immediately capture it with WHERE you'll use it
2. Write a breadcrumb: "Learned X for Y project, need it when Z"
3. Add it to your calendar for when you'll actually need it
Result: You never have to re-google it. The answer appears automatically when you need it - no memory, no search, no energy drain.
The incompleteness of 'learned but not captured' drives you to do those 30 seconds. Then it's done forever.
I wrote about the full system in the next newsletter coming Monday or Tuesday. It's called "Why Your ADHD Brain Collects Information But Never Uses It"
The shift from 'control my googling' to 'capture once, retrieve forever' changed everything. Want to try it for one week and see if it reduces that energy cost?"
Update: I just published the full system for eliminating that conscious energy drain. Turns out there's a way to make it work automatically without relying on willpower: https://open.substack.com/pub/jandekesel/p/why-your-adhd-brain-collects-information"
This is such a powerful reminder to all us that love to learn 📚🤓
I’ve always maintained I don’t have an addictive personality, but I am guilty of staying in the learning loop too long 🙈
It’s Time to Teach 🎓
Lessssssgo 💯 You can do this! Time to teach 🔥
Love this post.
People have this false sense of achievement that if they successfully learn something, they achieve something.
We all need to get out of this loop and apply that learning into a tangible outcome.
Exactly! That’ll be the past me 🥲 i remember hoarding courses only to leave them incomplete because of the very guilt that I couldn’t take action on them. Recently realised that i need to build systems in place to execute more on what I’m learning.
Yes! Systems are so fun. I go crazy on Notion. Systems finally got me out of the re-iteration action loops, so I’d actually scale. Whew!
That's awesome, Amaya 🔥same here! Big Notion fan here as well
Time to shape the future!
🚀🚀🚀
This definitely resonates! Thanks for the 1 hour idea.
Thanks for dropping by Andi 🙌 and so glad you found it helpful!
This is so good!! I’ve found myself stuck in the learning loop more times than I can count. I did a similar exercise with charcoal sketches (5-15 minutes daily) and it really changed the way I show up for my art. I had just decided to do the same with my writing when I saw your article, so I’m taking your inspiring words as confirmation! 🥰
Oh yesss! I missed your sketches 🙌 Can't wait to see more of 'em, they're awesomeeee 💯 so glad this blog could be of help to you in some way.
Such a great breakdown. I’ve found myself doing this so much over the past few years… and yeah I think a lot of it is fear. Sometimes it’s a constant fight against technology that has a goal of keeping me ‘connected’. Regardless, setting timers like that has been helpful to stay on track.
I can relate so much to what you said. It felt like just learning through it all was enough to keep me updated with what's going on out there. But that was it - there was no growth beyond that. I'm still trying to explore the different aspects of how to best put our wisdom in action by building AI apps/tools! Huge thanks for dropping by 🥺🫶
I am a learning fanatic - I have this excuse that the more I learn, the more I will make a difference in the world. But this article is a wake-up call, and the 1-hour strategy must work for me. Thank you for the easiest but actionable call to action.
Thank you for dropping by Soso - I am a fellow learning fanatic as well 🙌 Let me know if it helps. In the meantime, I'm trying my best to build a simple tool/tracker to put it into action 🫶
Hello Sarvan. It is helping a lot, and I think going forward, my writing journey will take a turn for the better. Congratulations on your project. I will be checking on you for the tool/tracker.
Thank you Soso 🙌
It hits me with IMP⁴ACT, particularly with ⁴Action Trigger!
So true and relatable.
"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is."
-Unknown
Facts! 💯 So true