Michael Bingley

incoming Frank Knox Fellow @Harvard 26-27 MPH health management | doctor & educator | digital health & systems thinker | read my distilled insights ↓

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

i’ve recently returned to self-directed learning and studying, many years into my career, for growth in multiple areas of my life

i wanted to reexamine *how* i study, so that i do so more effectively and actually retain what i want to learn

i’ve written an article summarising some of the useful techniques i learned from a great video series

read below to maximise your retention👇🏼

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@Aevmorfop yeah i think the next level is figuring out how to get comfortable and live in the tension

gotta stop caring as much (ironicallly) lol

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

been having very mixed feelings about all social media recently

really appreciate the opportunities to connect with and hear from some incredible people around the world (esp on X)

but notice how different i feel and the things my mind is preoccupied with on days i do or don’t use it

any personal insights/experiences of tempering use of social media/X?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@Music_Goddesss oh great, will have a read, thanks!

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

this

i love listening to classical music specifically when working

it’s like it’s focuses the mind whilst calming it at the same time

[Classical Music: Our Heritage @Music_Goddesss]

Listening to classical music is an act of resistance.

Against the algorithm. Against the 30-second attention span. Against the idea that everything must be easy and instant.

Choose difficulty.

Choose depth.

Choose beauty.

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@Music_Goddesss there’s some interesting science around this stuff, even associations with health etc.

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@ModestMitkus very cool

what do you think would’ve been the most valuable advice for yourself when you started?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

sometimes i think about reading like an investment you made that gives back a huge return

refined thinking by definition takes time and effort to make; one person cannot make all the refined thoughts in existence for themselves

by reading from those who are expert at their craft you essentially ‘cash-in’ the rewards on your stock that went up an amazing 73%, but don’t have to wait

read, and realise your gains

[Sadhavi Khosla @sadhavi]

When it comes to critical thinking, there’s no substitute to reading. How reading can build your understanding of complex subjects, vocabulary, grammar- podcasts can never do that. While it’s an era of podcasts, books have its own significance. Watch podcasts- but do read atleast 1 page a day.

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@esha_hq agree

i think the subtleties of semantics are doing some heavy lifting here

introspection or reflection or rumination or analysis paralysis or thoughtfulness or self aware?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@asmartbear jack of all trades, master….of a few?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@ellebeecher do you have a particular time that made this hit home for you?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@MetaMorpehus the latter, in your opinion

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@asmartbear do you mean that a technical founder should focus (ironically) not necessarily directly on building, but rather, using their talent to spot and hire those they can discern have talent too?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@MetaMorpehus do you have any experience of exploring why?

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

we all experience low mood at times

it’s part of life, just obviously don’t want it to be unhealthily often

but interestingly, i think a lot of it can be to do with how we focus on ourselves too much

life and society’s demands force us to

but try instead:

focusing doing something nice for someone else

for no reason. just go do something nice for someone

you’ll probably make their day, and in the process, feel great for just doing something good for someone, without (direct) reward

[Allie ✞ @allie__voss]

One of the most annoying features of mental health is that you think that being more introspective is the solution, like "Oh, I just need to figure out exactly WHY I'm sad"

Except you don't, you usually just need to think less about yourself and avoid ruminating at all costs

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

putting yourself out there: ♾️
being too scared to try: 0

had the best outcome possible.

time and time again i am learning in life that no matter how low you think the odds are, if you dare to try, you can win

don’t doubt yourself

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

had a very big day today

whilst i don’t know the outcome yet, i can’t help but just feel gratitude for getting to this point, regardless

enjoy your weekend 🫡

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@markmacleod_ they’re all filters for those who really wish to perform and achieve at a higher level

but whether we see them as that or not is not a given

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@asmartbear and ironically, requires prioritising sleep

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

@MetaMorpehus ah i’ve listened to Jim Rohn before, awesome guy!

what’s the luck technique? have used visualisation before and agree it’s brilliant

[Michael Bingley @JustStartSites]

have recently been trying new things

journaling every day
summarising learnings/synthesising from this
writing articles
cold outreach

it’s definitely increased my surface area of luck - i’ve had some surprising things come back at me as a result

[DAN KOE @thedankoe]

The problem is that you don't know what you want to do, and figuring out what you want to do requires learning, experimentation, and effort - so you do nothing.