Seven hours of focused mental work makes me bad at more focused mental work, but it doesn't make me bad at socializing or physical activities, for example, which is exactly what he's trying to say.
I disagree with Carmack that most jobs have enough different types of work that you can always find something you're not already burnt out on. That's one thing I think he's missing.
But if you figure out what things actually nourish or recharge you and which drain you (which may not be what you think at all and can take some effort and time to figure out), I'd hope you aren't left in the Reddit-swiping vegetative state quite so much! That's another thing I think he's missing: his work was actually nourishing for him, which isn't true for everyone. That's why in some ways being obsessive is "easier", you have a self-recharging activity and don't have to figure that out like everyone else!
> Seven hours of focused mental work makes me bad at more focused mental work, but it doesn't make me bad at socializing or physical activities, for example, which is exactly what he's trying to say.
I’m exactly like this too. I enjoy my work way more than average, but depending on the day I have between 6 and 12 (median 7) focused hours to do work before my brain sort of grinds to a halt. But when I get home, if I unwind mindfully and don’t get trapped on HN or YouTube, I can go meet some friends for dinner or go to the climbing gym, and that feels energizing instead of draining.
I disagree with Carmack that most jobs have enough different types of work that you can always find something you're not already burnt out on. That's one thing I think he's missing.
But if you figure out what things actually nourish or recharge you and which drain you (which may not be what you think at all and can take some effort and time to figure out), I'd hope you aren't left in the Reddit-swiping vegetative state quite so much! That's another thing I think he's missing: his work was actually nourishing for him, which isn't true for everyone. That's why in some ways being obsessive is "easier", you have a self-recharging activity and don't have to figure that out like everyone else!