Comments on: The Difference Between Experiments and Goals: How to Balance Spontaneity with the Focused Pursuit of Fame http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/ Demystifying Student Success Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:07:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: If you want to become truly impressive . . . « Ben Byerly’s Blog http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6304 If you want to become truly impressive . . . « Ben Byerly’s Blog Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:09:32 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6304 [...] on a small number of things, for a long period of time, to the exclusion of other activities. – Study Hack (16 July [...] […] on a small number of things, for a long period of time, to the exclusion of other activities. – Study Hack (16 July […]

]]> By: NewWorldOrder http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6297 NewWorldOrder Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:56:14 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6297 Ah, this is reminiscent of the Seth Godin's "<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/thedipbook" rel="nofollow">The Dip</a>." The middle zone sounds like the "Cul-de-sac." I like the distinction you make between experiments and goals. Seth doesn't make such a distinction in his book, and this lack of distinction makes his advice to "quit extraneous projects" all the more hard core and subsequently harder to implement. Ah, this is reminiscent of the Seth Godin’s “The Dip.” The middle zone sounds like the “Cul-de-sac.”

I like the distinction you make between experiments and goals. Seth doesn’t make such a distinction in his book, and this lack of distinction makes his advice to “quit extraneous projects” all the more hard core and subsequently harder to implement.

]]> By: Daisy http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6290 Daisy Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:57:47 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6290 I'm in the middle zone in one of my main projects... I'd better go reevaluate what I'm focusing on. :) I’m in the middle zone in one of my main projects… I’d better go reevaluate what I’m focusing on. :)

]]> By: Michael | University Scholar http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6287 Michael | University Scholar Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:42:00 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6287 The "middle-zone" is a very dangerous zone. Unfortunately you will be in that zone at some time on some project. But the key is being able to recognize when you are in that zone. Then you can act to get out. The “middle-zone” is a very dangerous zone. Unfortunately you will be in that zone at some time on some project. But the key is being able to recognize when you are in that zone. Then you can act to get out.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6285 Study Hacks Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:39:58 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6285 <blockquote>Don’t get caught in the dreaded friend-zone</blockquote> Brilliant analogy. Though I've long preferred the term "friendship spiral." (Extra cleverness in the way that loin girding accurately describes the effect of this zone.)

Don’t get caught in the dreaded friend-zone

Brilliant analogy. Though I’ve long preferred the term “friendship spiral.” (Extra cleverness in the way that loin girding accurately describes the effect of this zone.)

]]> By: Grad Hacker http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6284 Grad Hacker Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:35:05 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6284 This post girds my loins. A perfect (juvenile) analogy comes to mind: If you want to see whether an intriguing female (male) is worth your time, just go on a few dates with her (him), and make a decision. Don't get caught in the dreaded <strong>friend-zone</strong> where you're helping them move and picking up them up for the airport but not reaping any "high-value" rewards. This post girds my loins. A perfect (juvenile) analogy comes to mind: If you want to see whether an intriguing female (male) is worth your time, just go on a few dates with her (him), and make a decision. Don’t get caught in the dreaded friend-zone where you’re helping them move and picking up them up for the airport but not reaping any “high-value” rewards.

]]> By: nelsonway http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6282 nelsonway Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:49:29 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/07/16/the-difference-between-experiments-and-goals-how-to-balance-spontaneity-with-the-focused-pursuit-of-fame/#comment-6282 Great post. I love the discussion of <strong>the middle-zone</strong>. This is an area that eats up our time, probably provides no real reward, and we might not like or hate enough to think about changing. I am going to do some thinking about what my "middle-zone" activities currently are. Great post. I love the discussion of the middle-zone. This is an area that eats up our time, probably provides no real reward, and we might not like or hate enough to think about changing. I am going to do some thinking about what my “middle-zone” activities currently are.

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