After reading Cal Newport's post on Deliberate Practice, I was inspired to finally do what I've been saying I should do for every summer since my freshman year of high school: I want to be productive - and productive in a way that doesn't just disappear or end after the summer is over. I would like to begin skill-building. Here is a list of things that I would like to try doing for different reasons:Skills to Deliberately Build
1) Programming - For the purposes of adding a utility belt for many many many more skills that are highly valuable in this day and age. A technology-driven society needs people who are able to use the technology to its fullest potential for specific purposes, and I would like to maneuver myself into such a position to be that kind of person. Also, I see in the near-future that a strong foundation in programming will be necessary for my fields of interest.
2) Machine Learning - For the purposes of building a sound foundation in building and applying tools for my field of interest.
3) Playing Guitar - For the purposes of balance and general desire to have a more balanced life-style. I enjoy music greatly, but I am only a consumer of music. To produce music, like it was for producing drawings for my drawing class, would be a "soul-filling" practice that I miss and would like to re-integrate into my life as an academic.
4) Blogging - For the purposes of improving my writing and research skills. I plan to be research scientist, which involves communication skills and resource consolidation skills. As well as reading comprehension skills. A highly fruitful skill of skills to build.
Determination of Game-Plan
I only have so much time in the day. As a Dartmouth student, I live on the edge of the 16-hour-day to keep up with my studies and research. Now that it is the summer time, I can see that momentum I built up falling away like sand through one's fingers. However, this perception of my work-ethic is somewhat fatalistic - I built up that "momentum" because I percieved that the obligations of being a college student demanded it. During the summer, I don't see such obligations - but this is only because I don't see an authority figure deligating responsibilities upon me from on high.
Therefore, this is an experiment of will that could open the gates to unlocking much potential.
It will involve an investment of time, money, and intel to be efficient about this. I have a general idea as to how I could do this. I will continue to elaborate in another post.
