I find that being tired makes my mind wander a lot when reading longform things (e.g., papers, posts, not things like Slack messages or emails), so when Iām tired I usually try to do things other than reading.
If Iām just a bit or moderately tired, I usually find Iām still about as able to write as normal. If Iām very tired, Iāll still often be able to write quickly, but then when I later read what I wrote Iāll feel that it was unclear, poorly structured, and more typo-strewn than usual. So when very tired, I try to avoid writing longform things (e.g., actual research outputs).
Things I find Iām still pretty able to do when tired include commenting on documents people want input on (I think Iām more able to focus on this than on regular reading because itās more āinteractiveā or something), writing things like EA Forum comments, replying to emails and Slack messages and the like, doing miscellaneous admin-y tasks, and reflecting on the last week/āmonth and planning the next. So I often do a disproportionate amount of such tasks during evenings or during days when Iām more tired than normal, and at other times do a disproportionate amount of reading and āsubstantiveā writing.
Also, Iām fortunate enough to have flexible hours. So sometimes I just work less on days when Iām tired (perhaps spending more time with my wife), and then make up for it on other days.
11. Tiredness, focus, etc.
I find that being tired makes my mind wander a lot when reading longform things (e.g., papers, posts, not things like Slack messages or emails), so when Iām tired I usually try to do things other than reading.
If Iām just a bit or moderately tired, I usually find Iām still about as able to write as normal. If Iām very tired, Iāll still often be able to write quickly, but then when I later read what I wrote Iāll feel that it was unclear, poorly structured, and more typo-strewn than usual. So when very tired, I try to avoid writing longform things (e.g., actual research outputs).
Things I find Iām still pretty able to do when tired include commenting on documents people want input on (I think Iām more able to focus on this than on regular reading because itās more āinteractiveā or something), writing things like EA Forum comments, replying to emails and Slack messages and the like, doing miscellaneous admin-y tasks, and reflecting on the last week/āmonth and planning the next. So I often do a disproportionate amount of such tasks during evenings or during days when Iām more tired than normal, and at other times do a disproportionate amount of reading and āsubstantiveā writing.
Also, Iām fortunate enough to have flexible hours. So sometimes I just work less on days when Iām tired (perhaps spending more time with my wife), and then make up for it on other days.