It’s 9:03pm EST in Charlotte, NC. I just asked my Twitter audience to suggest the topic for me to write about for the email you’re reading now. A bunch of good suggestions came in and the one I think brings the most value to most of you is this one from Gary in Illinois:
Staying consistent in your discipline in times when your daily routines have been blown up.
This is why I have a problem with people pursuing habits over learning how to make disciplined choices. Habits rely on routine. Which is fine. As long as you have a mostly controllable routine. Do you have that right now [FIRST NAME]?
If you want to be disciplined when routines are intact AND when they’re off the rails, follow three easy to remember rules:
- Make fast (not impulsive) choices. Give yourself a 15-second window to evaluate and decide. Whatever your choice, own it confidently and go. It’s easier to correct mistakes of disciplined action than of default inaction.
- Focus completely on the next five minutes of action. You can do anything for five minutes. It usually turns into 15 or 45 minutes. It’s only when you start to think ahead about your whole task list and entire day/week that you feel overwhelmed. A five minute task isn’t overwhelming. It’s doable. It’s productive progress.
- Treat it like cross-training. You’re not going to live in a “blown up routine” forever. It’s temporary. It’s a good opportunity to train your flexibility and decision-making outside your preferred operating style. Don’t judge yourself. Observe yourself and have fun with it.
Discipline is the shortcut. Do the work.
PS - Reply to me: what “habit” has been your biggest struggle during the COVID lockdown?
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