MILES TO READ B4 I SLEEP: 2026

Thursday, 1 January 2026

HH X “The true profession of a man is to find his way to himself.”

Absolutely! Here’s a curated list of 10 powerful quotes by Hermann Hesse — thought-provoking, reflective, and often spiritual:

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.”
“Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately after they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish.”
“The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must destroy a world.” (from Demian)
“You are only ever afraid if you are not in harmony with yourself.”
“People with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest.”
“Some of us are capable of thinking, others of feeling, others of action; some live in the head, some in the heart, some in the hand, some in all three, yet none in all equally.”
“Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch reality.”
“If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us.”
“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man tries to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else …”
“The true profession of a man is to find his way to himself.”

Hesse’s work is full of self-discovery, introspection, and spiritual depth, so these quotes barely scratch the surface—but they hit the core themes he’s famous for.

If you want, I can make a “Top 10 most Zen Hesse quotes” list that’s perfect for daily reflection. Do you want me to do that?

AGING FOODS- FRIED AND MEAT "

Here’s a TL;DR summary of the WebMD article “Foods That Age You” you linked — focusing on the main point about what foods might speed up aging:

🥓 Foods That May Accelerate Aging

Processed meats (like bacon, sausage, ham, deli cuts): high in sodium and preservatives that may increase inflammation in your body. Too much inflammation is linked to a greater risk of chronic diseases and can wear your body down over time. (WebMD)
Fried foods (e.g., doughnuts, french fries): cooking in hot oil produces free radicals (unstable molecules) that can damage cells and contribute to signs of aging, both internally and on your skin. (WebMD)

(The WebMD article continues with a list of similar items in a slideshow, but the core theme is that certain ultra‑processed, high‑fat, and deep‑fried foods are linked with greater inflammation and cellular damage — factors associated with accelerated aging.)

🧠 Quick Context

While diet is just one part of aging, research shows that eating lots of highly processed foods, saturated/trans fats, and foods cooked at high heat tends to increase oxidative stress and inflammation — mechanisms tied to biological aging. More nutrient‑rich options (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats) can help counter these processes. (WebMD)

If you want, I can also summarize the full list of foods featured in that article.

A Use the 2-Minute Rule to Overcome Inertia

Use the 2-Minute Rule to Overcome Inertia

What it is:
If a task takes 2 minutes or less, do it immediately.
If it takes longer, start it for just 2 minutes.

Why it works:
Inertia comes from starting, not doing. Committing to 2 minutes lowers resistance, bypasses procrastination, and often creates momentum to continue.

How to apply it (step-by-step):

Pick one task you’re avoiding.
Set a timer for 2 minutes.
Work only until the timer ends.
Decide freely: stop—or keep going.

Examples:

Writing → open the document and write one sentence
Exercise → put on workout clothes and stretch
Studying → read one paragraph
Email → draft the first line
Cleaning → clear one surface

Key mindset shift:
You’re not committing to finishing—only to starting. Starting is the real win.

Pro tip:
Pair it with identity thinking:

“I’m the kind of person who starts things.”

Most of the time, once inertia is broken, motivation follows.

A Productivity isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about removing resistance

TL;DR — Effortless Efficiency: 24 Simple Techniques to Maximize Motivation and Productivity

A practical guide focused on working smarter, not harder. The core idea is reducing friction, conserving energy, and designing systems that make productivity feel natural rather than forced.

Key Takeaways

Motivation follows action, not the other way around—start small.
Energy > time: manage sleep, focus, and mental load first.
Reduce friction: make good habits easier and bad habits harder.
Systems beat goals: create repeatable processes instead of relying on willpower.

The 24 Techniques (Condensed)

Break tasks into tiny, non-intimidating steps
Use the 2-minute rule to overcome inertia
Batch similar tasks to reduce context switching
Eliminate distractions before starting
Work in short, focused bursts (time-boxing)
Start with the easiest task to build momentum
Define “done” clearly to avoid perfectionism
Prioritize energy-heavy tasks during peak hours
Create a consistent daily routine
Use visual progress tracking
Automate or delegate low-value work
Set clear boundaries around work time
Keep a single trusted task list
Plan tomorrow before ending today
Limit decisions to avoid decision fatigue
Design your environment for focus
Use rewards to reinforce progress
Practice single-tasking
Stop when productivity drops—rest is strategic
Apply “good enough” standards
Reduce commitments ruthlessly
Reflect weekly on what worked
Tie tasks to meaningful personal goals
Build identity-based habits (“I am someone who…”)

Bottom Line

Productivity isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about removing resistance, protecting energy, and creating systems that make progress inevitable.