The Work Put in Behind the Scenes
The Work Put in Behind the Scenes
Is often what dictates our success in the arena.
“I was waiting for something extraordinary to happen, but as the years wasted on, nothing ever did unless I caused it.” — Charles Bukowski
Worth Listening To
I cannot recommend this week’s podcast episode of the drive enough. It is INCREDIBLE. Many of you have told me you’re not podcast listeners. Listen to this one anyway.
Walter’s gift from his father; “walking up escalators.”
Public appreciation and gratitude — Seeing how much people appreciate being appreciated.
Q: How are you so good at what you do?
A: By being really good at deciding what I don’t do.
Experiences, experiences, experiences. Intentionality.
Asking the question, “If I do X task, what will Y outcome be for that task to have been successful?”
Goes well with:
The letter one-of-a-kind Richard Feynman wrote to his wife 16 months after her death, courtesy of the Farnam Street Blog.
Other Learning This Week:
“Most People Won’t” by Bryce Roberts
All-In Podcast — Ep. 165: Apple Vision Pro, future of technology, and the real estate market
Fascinating takeaway: Each of these four men made their fortunes in technology. They either do not let their kids use technology at home and if they do, it’s severely time-restricted.
Founders Podcast — Napolean’s Maxims and Strategy
Speed is a massive advantage. This is exceptionally true in decision-making. For example, if you decide swiftly to work out, you will be much less likely to talk yourself out of it.
The Linnaean Instinct and List-Making — Samuel Arbesman’s Cabinet of Wonders Newsletter
“Creating a meaningful catalog involves knowing the history of a domain.”
Conversations With a Personal Trainer
One of my clients recently took on a second job. Between both of her jobs, she’s now working 70 hours every week! Wow. And yet, on Monday, she told me, “I’ve got to make this (working out) work because I feel so much better about myself when I do.”
I thought I was busy. But during our conversation, I was reminded of something: We all have our own difficulties and struggles. Each of them is entirely unique. And yet, in the friction created during those struggles, if we’re paying attention, we truly learn what’s important to us.
The Time Budget Concept
As much as I wanted to write this newsletter this week, I was simply too busy. Too much work to do, too many obligations, not enough motivation… So, no newsletter this week.
.
.
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We’ve all had these moments. How often has it revolved around an aspect of our health? Tired from a long day and not working out. Ordering takeout instead of cooking. Scrolling social media instead of taking a walk.
In over 14 years of personal training, I have seen countless journeys derailed by these excuses. Too many. Furthermore, I’ve had my fair share of derailments too. It sucks. So often in life, we are in service of others. Both at work and home — especially if kids are involved—we spend most of our time working for others. “I need to get this project done for work, so I can’t work out.” Sacrificing ourselves for the needs of someone else.
This was an extraordinarily fitting week to write this piece. I didn’t want to write this newsletter, and I sure as hell did not want to get on the air bike each day. My calendar was full, I had work to do, my energy was low, my computer screen broke, and… excuses. Was it perfect? No. I missed biking on Monday and Tuesday and have struggled to sit down and write all week. But here we are.
Time budgeting is not an original idea. But it is essential for the vast majority of us and massively undervalued. Why? Like many concepts, it’s little more than a tool. But it is a powerful tool for improving our health because it leaves us with a plan with no room for excuses. When we budget our finances, we know whether we can afford a good or service. If we budget our time, we’ll know if and when we have time to exercise.
There are 168 hours in a week. Factor in 49-56 hours of sleep and 45 hours of work, which leaves us with approximately 70 hours of time. I’m willing to bet every one of us has time to exercise at least five hours a week.
We can’t disregard our work, our family, and our friends. Quite the contrary. I’m proposing that time budgeting can help us perform better for everyone else when we prioritize ourselves.
Rest assured, I am writing to myself as much as I am writing to you. This topic has been exceptionally difficult to write about because I have a very difficult time budgeting my time, and lately, I’ve struggled mightily to maintain my exercise regimen.
However, here are some strategies I intend to employ in my time budgeting quest:
Not saying “yes” to things immediately.
It has taken me years and years to learn how, but I have steadily improved my ability to say “no” to things. We’ve all known what it’s like to say “yes” a few months in advance only to get a few days out and ask ourselves, “Why on earth did I say yes?”
Changing my framing.
Mornings are absolute chaos in my house. From the time my wife and I wake up, it’s a dead sprint just to get out of the door on time. But I’m decent at asking myself each morning, “What do I want to accomplish today?”
After listening to this week’s recommended podcast, I intend to amend that question to this: “For today to be successful, what will I have done by the end of it?”
Speed.
The Founders Podcast episode on Napoleon was fascinating. Speed was an underlying theme throughout the entire episode.
Many of you have likely had a similar experience to this: I often plan to work out at my predetermined time, but first, I decide to “just get a little work done”. By the time I’ve completed my work, I’ve decisively talked myself out of working out. Speed. Decide to work out, go work out immediately.
Prioritize.
David Goggins says you find who you are in the suck. My health is my priority. I want not only to be there for my kids as they get older, but to also be able to do things with them. And, perhaps more importantly, to be a role model for them. If health is my priority, then I simply have to do it — especially when it sucks and I don’t want to.
We have time. Each of us has 168 hours every week. It’s how we choose to use that time. How many hours each week do you plan to budget for your health? Leave it in the comments below!