Tip for how to jump back on the horse
Falling off the horse, breaking the chain. falling off the wagon/boat. These are all colloquial sayings because they happen to all of us. The true test is jumping back on and continuing the ride. When it comes to personal productivity I believe that when you are ‘on’ the horse, you need to be mindful of the next time you will enter what I call the ‘trough’. The low energy, everything is futile and has no meaning phase. For me this happens predictably every few weeks. At this point I have to accept that it’s coming and just try to shorten the time I am there.
That mindfulness can help you prepare and get back on the horse easier and faster for the next time. I like the analogy ‘falling off the boat’ better for this, because in my mind it is building the ‘dock’, so you can more easily hop back on. Writing your routines down is key, so that when you inevitably fall off you can just follow the steps in order to get back to where you were. I try to write down all of my routines and when I am at my lowest I can just follow them step by step.
Here is an example checklist if I am in a trough:
- Disconnect (phone, YouTube, internet, TV)
- Do I need Sleep?
- Hygiene
- Teeth
- Nails
- Shower/Shave
- Haircut
- Diet- What have I been eating lately?
- Exercise
- Journal – Gratitude
- Meditation
- Write Down Everything on Mind
This is just one of many different checklists I have to get me back on track. Definitely check out the book ‘The Checklist Manifesto’, it is a great small read that highlights the importance of checklists and how to create effective ones.