He discusses what he calls “gumption traps”, which are things that seem to absorb your motivation to take your time and get things right, which is the whole idea of gumption in the first place.

There are several comments about how this whole problem is fueled by the internet, but I don’t think that’s true. If Pirsig wrote about the problem in the 70s, I think it’s safe to say that the internet didn’t cause this. I think it’s human nature. We want things to be easy, and to accomplish things quickly, so we can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

There is a zen to the art of mastering anything. In our culture, though, we tend to think only about the physical steps required to accomplish a task. We rarely think about the mentality that goes along with craftmanship and mastery, however.

That mentality is based on an attention to detail, and connection to the work.

Pirsig touches on all these bases and much more in his book. Probably many people reading this blog have already read it, but if not, I’d recommend it. The book can be read on many levels, but there’s a lot of wisdom mixed in.

[...] t.v. watching, and the last frontier is internet distractions (Study Hacks Teaching Moment:  Tolerate a Little Bit of Boredom).  Focusing on the end result by focusing on the next controllable action is my everyday project [...]

I’m really bored when revising certain modules – how does one go about improving their tolerance for boredom?

Most of it is practice. You go to quiet places. You clearly identify the work you’re going to do, and you power through. If it’s not too much, you’re mind will begin to recognize that it’s not too terrible. You’re ability will grow. But you have to give yourself every advantage. This means smart, efficient, specific study plans; realistic schedules; quiet, isolated locations for work.

I’m really bored when revising certain modules – how does one go about improving their tolerance for boredom? Being able to keep my brain focussed on the topic, and not reaching the bottom of the page and then finding that I recall nothing of what I have read would be a real boon!

Thank you!
P

[...] succeeding in cutting the article below into a blog post without checking my email, but only barely. Just like the author’s [...]

[...] same. It takes you out of student survival mode and helps you down the path toward mastering the increasingly lost art of good, hard, deep [...]