[Adrianl]

How do you guys deal with moments when one has to do some things, for example learn about something, that have no use or are of no interest at the time ?

[qingdom]

Keep doing it! you won't realize the time that has elapsed if you keep the momentum going. Only if you stop would you realize it's 'useless' in your world... but if you keep at it, you'll live through lifetimes of fun and excitement!!!! (in the confines of your own little world)

[Richard]

Why childrens, I gone play the comatose game.

[CowboyBarry]

If it has no use AND I'm not interested, why would I be learning it?

[Adrianl]

I think I should have been a little more specific.

If you need, for example, to learn something just for the sake of passing an exam, although the subject is highly uninteresting and has no use in the future, how do you go about doing it ?

I've noticed that I can learn something hat come across as very interesting in a very short time span, while things that don't attract me at all or have no use, I can spend days and days and it just won't stick.

This is only one example that could be generalized into other parts of when one is needed to do something although it comes across as useless.

[CowboyBarry]

I think I should have been a little more specific.

If you need, for example, to learn something just for the sake of passing an exam, although the subject is highly uninteresting and has no use in the future, how do you go about doing it ?

I've noticed that I can learn something hat come across as very interesting in a very short time span, while things that don't attract me at all or have no use, I can spend days and days and it just won't stick.

This is only one example that could be generalized into other parts of when one is needed to do something although it comes across as useless.

Thanks for the clarification.

For your example of studying for an exam, I would remind myself that I am taking the exam to pass the class, and that my taking the class is a means to some greater goal of mine. After all, if I had no reason for taking the class, I wouldn't be taking it in the first place.

Keeping this sort of larger perspective of the situation helps quite a bit with motivation. It's not much different than when I get up before the sun rises to go do manual labor. Though I don't mind the workout, I wouldn't be doing it if it weren't for the fact that it's merely a means by which I can collect a paycheck, have insurance, and receive tuition reimbursement. On days when I REALLY don't want to go in, I remind myself of all the things that going in enables me to do, and how not going in could jeopardize those things.

As a result, I haven't missed a day of work since I started (aside from one scheduled vacation week last year).

[Ablysmal]

If you need, for example, to learn something just for the sake of passing an exam, although the subject is highly uninteresting and has no use in the future, how do you go about doing it ?

Welcome to the majority of life.

We are going to run across subjects that we have no interest in, but we must still learn them in order to "succeed." All we can do is suck it up and proceed.

[CowboyBarry]

Welcome to the majority of life.

We are going to run across subjects that we have no interest in, but we must still learn them in order to "succeed." All we can do is suck it up and proceed.

I disagree. Stagnation/intentional failure is always an option.

Of course, intentionally failing means that you've actually succeeded at failing, which means that you've failed to fail... and failing at failing means that you've actually succeeded.

Upon further thought, I guess success IS the only option.

[OMG WTF BRO]

A lot of repetition.

I feel that way about augmented matrices. I have no connection to them whatsoever but with repetition it will stick.

[Ablysmal]

I disagree. Stagnation/intentional failure is always an option.

Of course, intentionally failing means that you've actually succeeded at failing, which means that you've failed to fail... and failing at failing means that you've actually succeeded.

Upon further thought, I guess success IS the only option.

This is the second time I've gotten into this conversation...

So I'll just post the same thing I've posted for the other conversation: