Filtering Towards Clarity
In September, I decided that I was going to dial down technology. I've made progress and the changes have created space within my week.
I've used the additional space to read and write. Purchasing a Kindle made books easily available and I'm reading one title per per week, up from one per annum. While I haven't been active on this blog, I'm three chapters into my next book and have been writing weekly for the Endurance Corner site.
My increased productivity was achieved by deleting apps, turning my phone off more often and simplifying my daily structure to:
Wake up by 7am;
Write two pages of my book;
Do some exercise;
Meet my work commitments;
Spend time with Moncia, Lex and Ax.
Interestingly, this change didn't happen until I was injured and decided to compensate by becoming more productive in my work life. Throughout my athletic career, my work has been an essential back-up plan to cope with unplanned setbacks.
One of the books that I read was Isaacson's biography on Steve Jobs. My take from the book was the singular focus of Job's life: Make Great Products.
Similarly, when I speak with champion athletes, I find that they filter their lives:
Get to the Olympics;
Win A Medal;
Win World Champs;
Be An Ironman Champion.
Whatever their goal might be, life passes through a simple filter of what they are seeking to achieve. People that get to the top of their field create habits that let them say no to attractive opportunities.
To get stuff done, create your filter and get to work repeating a simple routine that moves you towards your goals.
After months of talking about it, I made a few small changes and will get my book drafted by the end of the year. It wasn't the clutter in my life that was holding me back - it was habit as well as a focus on other attractive opportunites.
What do you want to achieve and what's it going to take to get there?
Keep it simple, and persist.