Decision Making

Why start small: Delight, to duty, back to delight again

When you begin a new habit and you’ve started taking action, only commit to it for 30 days or so. And then commit for another 30 days. Then commit for 90 days. Then commit for 6 months.

At first it’ll be fun. But then it will be hard and mundane.

If you start out by committing to do something for the rest of your life you’ll never make it. And how many people can say they woke up at 5:00 am every day for their entire life? Seasons change, needs change, things change, you change. So your daily habits will change, too, and that’s okay.

Start with something you know you can do. And then do it again. And again. Not only is this more realistic, it also is a way to build up trust with yourself. You will feel confident deciding to get up early every day for the next six months because you already did it for 30-days in a row.

Why start small: Delight, to duty, back to delight again

Do You Need a Change or Are You On the Verge of a Breakthrough?

When you’re feeling the pain of overwhelm, first, pause and listen to it because there can be two reasons for the stress you feel.

  1. It may be that life is saying you need breathing room.
  2. Or, sometimes that feeling of overwhelm is because you’re in a season of transition — you’re close to a breakthrough.

When it’s the former, you need to dial down and create some margin. Make sure you’ve got some things in place so you can stay sane and healthy.

When it’s the latter and you’re on the verge of a breakthrough — you need help and the perseverance to press through.

Do You Need a Change or Are You On the Verge of a Breakthrough?

Fear Setting and going “Worst Case”

There is a difference between worry and preparedness. You cannot be fully prepared for anything. So do your best to prepare and mitigate your risks, but then move on. Consider the risks and then live your life.

Successful people are quick to make a decision and slow to change their minds. (They get results and feedback before making new decisions.) Unsuccessful people never get traction because they are slow to make a decision and then quick to change their minds (often based on emotions).

Fear Setting and going “Worst Case”

“If it’s Not Simple, It’s Bull****”  →

From Ryan Holiday: “A lot of complicated stuff isn’t actually complicated.”

For example: I once paid $6,000 to be part of a business training program. The contents of the program were three 30-minute training videos, a spreadsheet, and two Q&A calls.

From the outside, that may sound like a rip-off. But the content was clear and focused. It was simple. Thanks to the simplicity, the lessons and ideas I took away from that program have continued to stick with me.

“If it’s Not Simple, It’s Bull****”

How to Tell You’ve Created Something Worthwhile  →

When you make something that matters, it will be polarizing. There will be some people who don’t like it. But there will be others who love it. It’s not easy to make something and put it out there. But when you do, look around: are there people you find awesome, and are they happy to be around your work …. then you are on the right track. You’re serving the right people doing something worthwhile.

How to Tell You’ve Created Something Worthwhile

10 Tips to Help You Stop Procrastinating  →

Here are 10 tips to help you stop procrastinating that thing

  1. Set a short timer
  2. Ask someone to help you
  3. Get a focus buddy for accountability
  4. Only do one thing at a time
  5. Time block your tasks
  6. Go on a short walk and think about what you’ll do when you get back
  7. Ask someone else to do it (delegate)
  8. Answer “why” 3 times
  9. Don’t be perfect; focus on good enough
  10. Leave your phone in a different room

Which number is most helpful for you?

For me, I lean on 2, 5, and 9 the most: I work more efficiently when I am collaborating with someone else; time blocking my day helps me stay on track; and I’m a chronic over-thinker who has to be reminded to stop overthinking things.

10 Tips to Help You Stop Procrastinating

Time Management Myth: “If I manage my time, I won’t get to do fun stuff.”

Fact: By managing your time you can protect the fun stuff and ensure the other ares of your life don’t encroach on it. Take control of your time and do MORE fun stuff.

You do this by (a) scheduling it so you have a better chance at getting to that activity; and (b) keeping the less-fun-stuff contained. A healthy schedule includes margin and breathing room, as well as time for you to relax, goof off, have fun, and go on adventures!

Time Management Myth: “If I manage my time, I won’t get to do fun stuff.”

Not all habits are created equal

Some habits will have a disproportionately positive (or negative) impact than others.

If you do a high-impact habit consistently for years then it will bring about a massive change in your life.

Here are 4 high-impact routines that have created a disproportionately positive impact on my life over the years:

  • I have automated my savings, giving, and investing so that I never have to think about when or how much I should be putting into those accounts. It happens on autopilot and I reap the benefits.
  • My wife and I have a date night every week (even if it is merely at home on the back porch).
  • I set aside at least one hour every work day for undistracted time to do focused, deep work.
  • Every day I do at least a 15-minute workout.

Put another way, the whole ****point in having a routine is to make your life better. And, if you’re going to have a routine, you might as well have one that is high-impact.

Not all habits are created equal