The Core

I grew up working

Me too - first "outside the home" job at age 10 in the local apple orchard (at least back then, farm labor was allowed at almost any age, within limits).

>>'Puritan Work Ethic' I'm sure a picture of my mom & dad...

Not dissimilar. My dad worked two full-time jobs most of my childhood until I was about 13.

>>constantly thinking about the best time management

Again, not dissimilar, including applying functional programming concepts to folding the laundry (essentially, recursion) and thinking about efficiency for all sorts of activities.

BUT... I place a really high value on down time, time in nature, time where my mind is free to roam. I also believe that this is a key to productivity FOR ME (not trying to say what works for others).

I've pretty much always felt this way. I think I spent less time studying than my peers in college who got similar grades, mostly by working when I work, playing when I play (they would often study together in "study groups" that were great for socializing and terrible for studying). I know I spent less time working in grad school than most of my peers and I finished with more publications than any of them I can think of. I always felt when I would see my colleagues reading scholarly papers on the treadmill that they were both learning little and getting an inferior workout and, essentially, wasting their time by doing two things at once and not being fully engaged in either.

Many years later, I came across this:
https://www.amazon.com/Way-Were-Working-Isnt-Performance/dp/1451610262

The summary version (I haven't watched this, but I assume it's a summary of the book since it's the same title)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrMWv5rcCo

I think he's addressing something slightly different that what you're saying RC. I get what you're saying (I think)- if you can switch between a high-intensity activity that's "work" and a low-intensity activity that is "fun" but productive, it's a double win.

There are plenty of times I've wished I were more like that... but a man's got to know his limitations!

For me, though, time to let my mind wander is key to being productive in the long run. It's a lot of why I really enjoy solitary running and dislike exercise classes.... speaking of which... I have 1:15 to go wander aimlessly in the woods before my next meeting. I better get going ;-)

Not sure how many to count... one solid run, two mediocre "resistance" sessions one of which was so mediocre

Made up for it on Saturday with a killer bike ride. Three of the five were cramping really bad. One of them was simplytheresa... but she still outpedalled two young males. The organizer billed it as a two-hour ride. I think we finally straggled in at 5.5 hours.

Yes a very interesting side topic.

I go the other direction and am open and honest about the choices I made

Well for what its worth, I think you are right to. Good decision, and I am sure not always easy.

I have always been lucky... Puritan Work ethic rings bells with me too. I never thought I had a silver spoon, but I did.  It does not matter where you are, there are always wealthier people about. At the school I went to, I was the poorest. My Dad was an engineer, working for Rolls Royce, and my friends Dads were the people that owned the big companies. In reality if you are born in the west, I think you have a silver spoon from birth... at present.

So yes Ergo, I agree It makes life easier in some ways. But also, for me it means there is a responsibility to help those who are in need. did you get the Desert Island Discs?

Open to recommendations.

That is so tricky   I dont Know how much is about knowing the "screen" person first. Personally I really like Hugh Laurie, Dawn French (She did a sitcom over here called the vicar of Dibley: here is a favourite clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJpoOlCbBrw)

There are not many, but I find it really fun.

BTW I am finally 1/4 of the way through A Deepness in the Sky. Really enjoying it.. Sue could not put it down .

173

goal is 170, but some holiday or travel always intervenes

Well done RC, almost there!  Sweat like a jockey and you could probably make it !

last week was 4 runs, 2 tennis. A great week. But just about to start the third day of heavy entertaining of the extended family, so some spoiling done.

LM, seems to me you are managing Christmas better than me!  I have just rolled over, and happy to get out the other side, and pick up again best I can.