The Weekly Grind Newsletter - 30/07/2023
The Weekly Grind #21 - Read Time: 4 Minutes
Espresso Shots of Wisdom
‘I trained 4 years to run 9 seconds, and people give up when they don’t see results in 2 months.’
Projects of great impact and significance usually happen across long time horizons and demand a sustained, consistent and disciplined approach.
Most great things take between 5 - 7 years to achieve so don’t become demoralised, disheartened and dejected because you are not an overnight success.
Success, in almost all domains, lies in sustained action on a micro level and ultimate patience on the macro level - committing to few projects and swinging for the fences.
Get after it!
(Usain Bolt)
‘It does not matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.’
Improvement is not linear!
Progress often follows prolonged plateaus - right after the point where the average person would give up.
Practice deliberately, embrace the process and watch the magic happen.
(Confucius)
‘It is impossible to get better and look good at the same time. Give yourself permission to be a beginner. By being willing to be a bad artist, you have a chance to be an artist, and perhaps, over time, a very good one.’
Skill acquisition requires three things - time, practice and accepting the role of the fool.
Most accept the first two prerequisites but refuse to engage with the third for fear of ridicule, razzing or ribbing from peers.
How many skills, opportunities and life changing experiences have we left on the table because we feared to accept beginner status?
(Julia Cameron)
Cappuccino Contemplations
We’re officially past the halfway point of the year. If you’re not more than halfway to your goals… time to lock in. Champions are made in the second half.
With us well and truly into the second half of the year, it is important to self-reflect on our progress over the last 6 months and to map out the remaining months of the year.
If progress is important, it is essential that we look at the key performance indicators in each goal and honestly evaluate our progress or lack thereof.
By undertaking this process we can reevaluate and reprioritise our goals to ensure we finish the year strongly, remembering that the key to success lies in committing to few projects but swinging for the fences.
Are you a victim of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination (RBP)?
RBP, as coined by Matt D’Avella, occurs when you feel you do not have enough control over your schedule during the day so you try to steal back personal time late into the night.
This time is usually filled with unproductive, yet enjoyable activities. It’s the reason many adults will play computer games, binge on Netflix or watch sports events until 3am even though they have work at 9.
With life so full of work and responsibility during daytime hours, they are willing to sacrifice the energy, rest and motivation that comes with a full night of sleep for some 'downtime'.
RBP can become a catalyst, which exacerbates burnout, creating a vicious cycle of personal and professional deterioration.
If you struggle with this, check out the article below:
Are You on the Verge of Burnout?: Play Your ACES to Unleash the Antidote to Burnout
Akin to the most profound ideas and systems, ‘The Antidote to Burnout’ is simple in nature, but the difficulty lies in its implementation in a world of external demands, pressures, and self-perceived obligations. Although we have some real obligations and responsibilities
Americano And Chill
With the weekend upon us, I look forward to doing some writing, a long run and starting Yellowstone.
Have a great weekend,
David.