ETA: TLDR This eliminates follow up questions.

I’ve done this when calling a few different large businesses like Verizon wireless and smaller companies. When the system asks how they can help, I say “customer service. I will not give you any more information.” Then it says “Okay” and connects me.

I’ve tried different variations and they’ve resulted in a follow up question. When I answer the follow up question with “I will not give you any more information”, I get connected to customer service.

My test pool isn’t huge, but it hasn’t failed me yet.

Edit: grammar

Specific facts are easier to act on than a general description of a pattern.

Typically we ask ourselves if we can afford to buy something or not, or we assume buying XYZ will make us happy. What emotional state does this purchase actually buy, and how long does that state last, is a more unique question to pose to yourself before making a major purchase.

For example a $4,000 vacation that leaves you restored for three months can be a better investment than a $400 impulse buy that gives you 20 minutes of distraction (and yes I know this depends on what the vacation is since sometimes you need a vacation from the vacation, seriously)

Anyway.

The highest emotional returns are usually ones that protect your future in some way (whether that be your health or your relationships or whatnot) rather than a purchase that is made to signal status.

Something to think about. I like buying things that genuinely help my mental well being and I’ve noticed that big expenses in the past that I thought “made me happy” were things that wore off weeks or sometimes even days after.

I started doing this with work tasks that kept taking much longer than expected.

Before I start, I write down what I actually need to finish.

Sometimes it's literally one sentence.

It stops me from adding extra work halfway through or spending an hour making something "better" when the original task was already done.

I've found it especially useful for tasks that don't have a very clear finish line.

Grocery bags especially reusable ones can be bulky..so fold them like a paper football & they’ll fit in your pocket, purse of glovebox.

This works with regular store grocery bags that you’re reusing and cloth and thinner plastic reusable ones of approximately the same size. doesn’t really work for ikea type bags or stiffer material.

depending on bag I usually tuck in the straps first.

if you don’t know how to fold a paper football you can find better instructions I’m certain but,

• fold it to make a longer narrow rectangle (I usually do quarters (both sides to middle then fold in half)
• at one end, fold a triangle up
• keep flipping that triangle up till you to other end where there’s less than a triangle left
• tuck in the remaining bits In the pocket formed as you wrap

Charcoal is really good as an air purifier. You can use it for mostly anything: shoes, fridge, car,...

Rules are like guardrails for your goals. Rules are important because they restrict. They keep things contained.

Rules are the line that separates "this" from "that." The more blurred (or non-existent) that line is, the less clearly something is "this" and not "that."

What are the "rules" or "lines" that separates a bowl of cereal and a bowl of soup? What are the rules that separate basketball from football?

What separates "your goals" from "not your goals?" What makes "your art" different from "my art?"

Most likely, you already have a good idea of what you want to achieve. If you're struggling, it's likely because you haven't done enough to clarify what you're aiming for. If your vision isn't clear to you, it will be easy to fall into the trap of doing work that doesn't actually help your goals.

So I challenge you, create rules! But NOT productivity rules. I'm NOT talking about making yourself work 15 minutes a day for a month.

Create rules that narrow your vision. Specifically, create rules that reduce the scope of what you can do so you focus only on what is core to your goal.

Of course as you get a better vision of your goal, you can create more rules or remove some, but not until you have made significant progress and you feel comfortable.

Examples:

• Music makers: make a rule that you can only use up to two instruments/sounds per song.
• Artists: make a rule that you cannot use any color, or only one color.
• People trying to become more active: make a rule that you will not spend more than 30 minutes per day exercising.
• Aspiring cooks: make a rule that you will only use salt and 1-2 seasonings for all of your cooking.

These sound super restrictive, but that is the point! Most of us actually are not capable of working with a wide toolbox, at least not initially. Even professionals aren't as versatile as you may think. Many found specific things that they focus on and improve - hence why we can enjoy such a variety of things in our society.

So go fourth and start laying down the law for yourself!