Comments on: Guilt and Our Choices

By: Eddie

Eddie — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:54:16 +0000

This is great – like what Cal Newport says about psuedo work (he referred to your book on his site, so I assume you are familiar with him).

One question though – what time do you get up if you’re working at 2 in the morning? Surely you’d be too tired at that point to get much done, as opposed to working in the mornings?

By: Chad Jewsbury

Chad Jewsbury — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:07:11 +0000

This is a great post. I discovered your blog/book a few weeks ago and keep finding these gems of insight. I currently live in S. Korea teaching english to pay off some school debt and save up some money . I too fell into the guilt trap to a certain degree but have come to realize it’s only my life to live…

Can’t wait until your book arrives – tomorrow I think (10 day shipping around the world). I’m excited to get started saving and changing the way I think about my finances.

Congrats on all the success… From what I’ve read so far it’s all well deserved. Thanks.

BTW… did you built this site on your own? (If so – which comment system are you using?)

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:19:55 +0000

You’re describing exactly how I felt and what I thought when I confronted myself about it.

Except you write a lot better than I do. Hope you keep it up.

By: Fable Fox

Fable Fox — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:33:17 +0000

I always visit this site, but rarely comment. Regarding guilt, in the end of the day, it’s YOUR life – not your parent’s. Right now I’m feeling guilty because I did what they wanted, not what I wanted. And now I’m 30 already. I feel like a robot remote controlled by my parents, and giving them more life to do what they always wanted.

By: Allan

Allan — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:06:51 +0000

I so totally disagree with you.

Guilt is good, because how can you be guilty if your doing something right.

If I have a paper next week on Wednesday then I should stay in and study. I should be guilty if I do not study and chat away the night.

Here is my theory.

Life is a commulation of small discisions. If you want to be more productive its the commulation of small descisions e.g. the discision not to go out on Thursday nite, not chat with h*tbabe etc that will commulatively make you more productive between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

A good example is the descision to be more healthy. The smaller discisions might be no cake today, gym tommorow and a jog next week. If I do not do these things ( I love food) I feel guilty ..which is GOOD. If I actually listen to this guilt in the long run it becomes habit … i stop missing cake and enjoying gym. Result – Better health.

The only time I agree with you is when other people make you feel guilty into doing things for them. Actually, I don’t think its guilt …rather pressure. If I want to start business rather than go to college and I know am right ..I won’t feel guilty no matter what anyone tells me coz I know am right. If you have any ikling of guilt about skipping college I suggest you go to college coz ..HOW CAN YOU FEEL GUIILTY IF YOUR RIGHT.

By: Giancarlo

Giancarlo — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:48:04 +0000

I feel pretty much the same way , but sometimes for really big decisions the guilt factor becomes an immovable wall preventing you to do what you really want to do; For times like this I seem to always be helped by my small trusted group of people who tell me to go get it! without them I’d probably be living a life decided by guilt! great Post!

By: zeke

zeke — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 13:00:23 +0000

You hit the hammer right on top of the nail. I graduated in 98 and ‘guilted’ myself thru a lot of courses. Now, living life is almost the same; a lot of guilt here and there because I ’should.’ It’s frustrating, horrifying and downright destructive.

By: Mitza

Mitza — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:31:05 +0000

I have 19 years old.Last year I had to choose betwen what I wish to do with my life, and what my parents wanted to do with my life.

I want to make money, to have a capital, and open my own business.

My parents want first to finish a faculty, and not a simple one, a very hard one.

Guess what.I choosed what my parents want, i don’t know why, but this option is more secure.

What would you do if you were me ?

P.S – I have some problems writing in English, sorry if i made some mistakes.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 03:25:35 +0000

Great post. I’ve found myself turning down countless requests to go out because “I really need to study.” Cheers to not “needing to studying.” How superficial people are…

By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 06:11:44 +0000

Fantastic post Ramit. I don’t think I’m quite as bad as the college jackasses you described, but I often catch myself saying “Uhh, I should be working.” I love your advice, “either do it right away or forget about it.” Often the guilt of not doing the task, is worse than actually doing the task.