The Art of the Good Life

What Hacker News says

1. hacklikedemonsJan 2022
   Hi, these points work well for me:

   1. Realize that the picture of good and bad, which we are used to and learn while growing up, doesn't make much sense in real life. What is good and what is bad? Who defines this? Think about it and come to your own conclusions.

   2. Learn to read and write in English. It doesn't need to be perfect (look at me) but will open up a whole new world to you, in case you are no native speaker.

   3. Learn how to talk to people and strangers. Realize that there are people, which aren't that smart, and others, which are way smarter than you. - Learn to deal with both groups.

   4. Learn how to handle your ego and overcome it.

   5. Take a cold shower in the morning. Start with warm water, then switch over to cold. Practice until you reach 3 minutes. But don't force the progress.

   6. Do 100 push-up during the day.

   7. Don't use your mobile phone while you're in the bathroom.

   8. No mobile phone in your bedroom.

   9. Figure out which time is best for you to drink a cup of coffee.

   10. Learn how to efficiency take notes, develop a system and stick to it. I prefer the PARA method combined with Obsidian.

   11. Realize that technology and so called 'smart devices' are just tools. You don't really need them and should invest too much time and money into it.

   12. Save some money at the beginning of the month as fuck-you-money for hard times.

   13. Try to walk at least 5.000 steps per day. Better 10.000 and more.

   14. Regularly invest some time in something that is not digital. For me this is spending time with people I love and training martial arts.

   15. Try the Wim Hof breathing method. If it works for you, stick to it.

   16. Don't read the news. It's a waste of time and energy. I personally only read the economic news.

   17. Don't use Twitter to stay up do date. Use accumulated news letters instead.

   18. Read books before going to bed. I personally re-read books and take notes.

   19. Challenge yourself to try out new things and to learn more. I'm doing this with multiple 30 day challenges during the year.

   20. Learn to articulate your thoughts in a clear manner.

   21. At the end of they year: write some kind of report or letter to yourself to summarize what happened during the year.

   22. Treat others kindly and with respect, even if it's hard sometimes. Most of us are struggling threw life and most of us will feel better and more secure if our counterpart acts friendly and calm.

   23. Don't take life too seriously. Just live and be thankful for everything that is good in your life.

   And one book recommendation for all of you: The Art of the Good Life: Clear Thinking for Business and a Better Life by Rolf Dobelli. The book is very straight to the point, full of great insights and written in short chapters.

   I hope that helps.

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2. g8ozSep 2020
   For a good take on this topic I recommend the "The Art of the Good Life" by Rolf Dobelli.
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3. smcphileMay 2020
   There’s no “one size fits all” answer to the question. Some people certainly have started from zero at age 40 and have happily retired before the legal retirement age. Whether or not it’s possible for you depends. Life situations vary enormously.

   Two suggestions:

   Read Rolf Dobelli’s “The art of the good life” to get a realistic idea of how the world works, and how both character and the fates have a role in how your life plays out.

   Set up a spreadsheet to model earnings and expenses from age 40 to age 90 and see what the model tells you. Play with the numbers to develop a strategy that works for you and your situation.

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4. ddmmaSep 2018
   Build your own zen garden, continue doing what is good for you and try to let the destructive things way behind as from another era. I guess there is a change resistance as the age process is going, pain comes as result either physical or mental. Change is also healthy, dare to do new things and be in situations were you can achieve simple positive outcome.

   PS. Search also for 'The Art of the Good Life' by Rolf Dobelli

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5. smcphileJun 2020
   > This time I'd like to start really pouring my soul into something that can provide meaning to my life, without rushing into the next app/side project/hustle/startup to temporarily calm my curiosity.

   I'm not sure it's wise to link seeing life as meaningful to any future project you might take on. Projects can succeed or fail and they can start with good intentions but have unforeseen bad consequences.

   Also, Rolf Dobelli, author of "The art of the good life", makes the case that doing what you do best and donating some of the money that you earn to worthwhile causes is far more efficient in obtaining results than doing volunteer work a professional could be paid to do much better (especially if that professional is in a part of the world where earnings and the cost of living are low).

   In general I believe people find meaning either through a religion or some sort of philosophy of life (such as stoicism).

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