Just browsed through the Abstract. Some unrelated thoughts:
I think the issue that most people won't gather up the will to do aerobic exercise after they are mentally exhausted -- even that they know it works to some extent.
Following this, I believe, without scientific proof, that genius (or others who can contribute significantly more than other people) have their mind wired completely different from other people. For example, I know people who are super smart, super energetic, and (in the context of OP article) can switch between tasks efficiently. They don't seem to need cooldown, they always have the will to do something as long as they know it's good for them. In one sentence, they are more like machines.
I wonder if there is a way for ordinary people to achieve that "machine-like" mentality. I'm curious to learn from your experience if you are able to grow from a "weak-minded" people to a "strong-will" one, however painfully. So far I haven't seen one example.
Routines do wonders. It's only hard the first few times, afterwards it becomes second nature to go and workout after work. It also helps that I've never, ever regretted doing a workout - you always feel amazing.
Another testament to the power of routines: if you get disrupted for whatever reason (travel, vacation, extreme cold, bout of depression) the new routine of not exercising itself becomes second nature.
I wish this was a universal truth. I've had various degrees of success maintaining a steady workout routine during various periods of my life, but I universally hate exercising, even during periods where I'm doing it very consistently. After a good workout, I feel exactly the same as I did aside from being a bit more tired.
That's not true for everyone. I find the routine of exercise unbearable. It's the primary reason I give up and take months long breaks.
Additionally, do you have kids? Have you ever tried working out and then immediately chasing around a toddler? I regret it every time. The exercise, not the toddler.
It is possible within all humans with the spice melange....
However barring becoming a mentat I've noticed this variation within myself as well and I've noticed the times I am able to go and go and go is when I have a lot of momentum. It seems that doing things that require will naturally result in more will so it isn't that the task is easier but rather my ability to overcome is increased and it is a smaller % of my overall energy expenditure to do.
In accord with this I've noticed that for me taking a "break" is when I get far less done and it becomes much harder to do anything.
I've also seen that when I have things booked back to back to back no matter the density it seems I can keep going so long as I don't stop to think about how tired I am and just keep going. It's when I get breathing room that it seems like everything I've already been doing is impossible.
The other big help for me was Adderall, I have ADHD bad so if I am not working under pressure and a deadline sufficient to release adrenaline I can't do anything. That was until I got my medicine then I finally felt like I could be who I could be without being a nurveous burned out wreck all the time.
I also found that I work pretty well when under pressure or someone request something challenging (especially if it's a girl I like :D). However, both are external forces and they don't come very often. It's VERY difficult to find jobs that consistently provide enough challenge because those jobs are very picky about candidates. Neither often there is any request coming from other people.
> I'm curious to learn from your experience if you are able to grow from a "weak-minded" people to a "strong-will" one, however painfully.
Train brazilian jiu jitsu, or another martial art that involves actual physical contact. Mental toughness is a skill that you can develop quickly in endeavors like those.
Generally, pick something that is difficult, or uncomfortable - and do that thing over and over again. It could be as simple a making yourself take 1 minute of cold shower every morning.
If it is true (that it has little to do with genetics and childhood education - I kinda treat childhood education the same as genetics because you don't get to choose and are forced upon you), how does one do it? There must be some scientific research on it. Would love to see some long-term (5Y+) follow-up research.
I always found growing strong discipline from thin air similar to pulling one's hair to leave the ground.
I think the issue that most people won't gather up the will to do aerobic exercise after they are mentally exhausted -- even that they know it works to some extent.
Following this, I believe, without scientific proof, that genius (or others who can contribute significantly more than other people) have their mind wired completely different from other people. For example, I know people who are super smart, super energetic, and (in the context of OP article) can switch between tasks efficiently. They don't seem to need cooldown, they always have the will to do something as long as they know it's good for them. In one sentence, they are more like machines.
I wonder if there is a way for ordinary people to achieve that "machine-like" mentality. I'm curious to learn from your experience if you are able to grow from a "weak-minded" people to a "strong-will" one, however painfully. So far I haven't seen one example.