The answer lies within the question. Step outside the question to see the question—the answer may not be within the question itself, but stepping out might reveal the result/Gratitude Diary-2025-09-07

type

status

date

progress

slug

summary

category

password

URL

icon

Sure, here is the English translation of your text, with no changes made beyond translation:

September 7, 2025, 12:08 AM

Spending a long time on something without getting it right, yet still diving into it headfirst, ends up taking several days and even affecting other normal tasks. But if it’s not resolved, it’s impossible to detach—your mind keeps dwelling on it, sinking into the task itself and unable to break free.

The “sunk cost fallacy” or state of overcommitment traps you psychologically in a loop of “I’ve already spent so much time, I must finish.” Here are some practical suggestions to help you escape this dilemma and regain control of your time and energy:

Set clear time boundaries

Set a time limit for the task, such as “only spend 2 hours on this today, pause if it goes over.” Use an alarm or the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes focus + 5 minutes rest) to constrain yourself and avoid endless immersion.

Reevaluate priorities

Stop and ask yourself: Is this task really more important than others? How crucial is it to your goals? What are the actual consequences if it’s not resolved? Write down these answers to help detach from emotions and rationally judge whether it’s worth continuing.

Break down the task to reduce mental burden

If the task is complex, try breaking it into smaller pieces and list specific next steps (e.g., “write an outline” instead of “finish the entire article”). Focus on one small goal at a time, and after completing it, decide whether to continue—gradually building a sense of accomplishment.

Accept imperfection or temporary shelving

Remind yourself that pausing or temporarily failing doesn’t negate your effort. Try setting the task aside and shifting attention to other matters, such as handling daily work or resting. Return after a few days with a fresh perspective.

Set an “exit mechanism”

Define a clear exit condition for yourself, such as “if there’s no progress after 3 days, shelve it or seek help.” This prevents endless investment and provides psychological relief.

Reflect on the reason for immersion

If you find yourself constantly thinking about the task, it may hold emotional significance (e.g., proving your capability). Try writing down your feelings or talking with a friend to release mental pressure.

Specific action suggestions:

Spend 5 minutes now listing the “next step” mini-tasks for this matter, and pick the simplest one to start.

Set a work time limit for today, such as 2 hours—switch to other tasks if you go over.

If you’re still stuck, try finding a tutorial, forum, or friend in the relevant field to quickly seek external help.

September 7, 2025, 3:27 AM

Today, Lingling’s mischief affected what I was doing. I had already spent a long time without getting it done, and my mood was terrible. On top of that, she kept making noise here, so I was in a really bad state, right at the breaking point—and then I hit her. Afterwards, I felt more and more guilty. I usually pay little attention to them and rarely notice the details of their lives. Maybe they haven’t received enough attention, which is why they’re always so naughty. Perhaps they’re trying to attract adult attention, to get more interaction and care. I thought of my own upbringing—I was never given attention or love, and I didn’t know how to give it, which led to this habit of paying little attention to my children. I don’t really know how to care for or love them. This issue is heavy, so I need to sort out my thoughts. I feel deeply guilty. I want to give them all my love. I want to be a qualified father.

September 7, 2025, 4:40 PM

Sometimes, when solving a problem, you must identify the root cause and key point, then solve it around that keyword. Even when asking artificial intelligence, it’s the same—if you haven’t clarified the problem, the entire exploration process is wrong. In today’s cash-driven era, answers are everywhere. The most important thing is to clarify the problem. Once the problem is clear, the answer lies within it. Another crucial point is to step outside the problem to view it—the answer may not be within the problem itself, but stepping out might reveal the result.

HK_Henry

Chat Channel

Join Our Community for Discussion & Sharing