Love the tenacity. Seriously. But as much as you need to push, you need to recover, reenergize yourself, replenish your body. Love the tenacity though.
Thanks, Dad. It's definitely a balance between work and rest. I find that pushing through and doing the work when I feel like resting is a good test to see if I actually need the rest or I just don't feel like doing what I need to do. If I push through keep feeling, day after day, I need a break then I can take one.
But I don't want to fall into the trap of thinking I need rest at the slightest signs of fatigue. I know we've talked about this lots in the past... always evolving and growing my thoughts around this and understanding myself a little bit better every week.
Anyway... have to go do my least favourite workout of the week shortly: a speed run. Wish me luck.
Thanks buddy, I appreciate you. I'm certainly a better version of myself because I write, and I suppose that makes my corner of the world a little bit better.
ah resistance my dark little friend. i went through the same thought patterns this week before hitting publish. but theres something poweful about building a streak and not wanting to break it. im glad you didnt break yours!
yep its all about quieting that little voice inside our heads. which is easier said than done. but you did it this week so you defeated the resistance once again. at least until next week :)
I found when I switched from focusing on the outcome (publish an essay every two weeks) and instead focused on the process (write everyday for at least 15 minutes) I’ve written more, and published more, with more ideas being generated that I can dive into when I carve out the time.
Such a great point, Jeremy. Focusing on process rather than outcomes is such a great way to frame work. Especially work for long-term games with no defined end point (writing, fitness, relationships, etc.). Although I often get caught up in outcomes, I always try to come back to the process. Thanks for the reminder :)
Jack, loved the whole piece and the importance of the message, which resonates with me, especially as I think I’ve published 14 essays in about 80 weeks 😕.
When I read your footnote I was reminded about so many assays I read where the footnote could have been the essay. Sometimes, after our thinking brain have “produced” something then we sort of burp up what’s been in our heart waiting to be accessed all along. That’s not saying your whole piece wasn’t great, it was. It’s just saying I loved and appreciated the footnote 😀. “I wrote this footnote afterwards when I felt much better because I finished my writing and exercise.”
Thanks, James. I'm glad you liked it because it's certainly far away from the best work I feel I've done... just one of those weeks. Given the other responsibilities you have in your life that I presently lack (a family and a business to run), I think 14 essays in 80 weeks is pretty damn good.
I wrote that footnote in the notes app on my phone while stretching after my Monday workout. I almost cut it from the essay before publishing. But I felt some more backstory was necessary and I'm really happy to hear it resonated with you. Going through the motions can be a powerful tool in our consistently toolkit to get done the hard things and send ourselves to a place of "feeling much better because..."
Thank you for always supporting me and showing up in the comments. It means more to me than you know.
...this is awesome Jack and congrats on making it to 119...to at least 11,119 more...the easiest thing to do is to give up on the hardest things...you just broke down that door...and a great read bc of it...
Thanks pal, appreciate your kindness here. T’was certainly one of the more challenging writing weeks but got it done. If I make it 11,119 more, I’ll be a happy man… and have a very successful blog because I would have cracked the code to longevity
I was just talking this morning with a friend about this subject, when is it time to back off and when should one keep leaning in? In my experience you have to try both at different times and it's only in hindsight over time that you start to sense the difference between resistance you need to push through and organic needs for rest and recovery.
I 100% agree with this, Rick. I said something to a very similar tune in responding to my Dad’s (Rob) comment on this post.
You have to push through hard times to know when you’re just facing resistance versus when you genuinely need a break. Especially with the popularization of burnout culture — odds are you aren’t burnt out, you are just facing the regular human condition of resistance.
I’ve been sick all week and haven’t missed a workout or a day of writing. Still alive and kicking. Feeling good about myself for going through the motions even when I didn’t feel my best.
You're an inspiration. Not because you ALWAYS push through, but because you are genuinely exploring beyond your first reactionary idea of your own limits and dedicated to what is possible by making the extra effort or asking the extra question.
Love the tenacity. Seriously. But as much as you need to push, you need to recover, reenergize yourself, replenish your body. Love the tenacity though.
Thanks, Dad. It's definitely a balance between work and rest. I find that pushing through and doing the work when I feel like resting is a good test to see if I actually need the rest or I just don't feel like doing what I need to do. If I push through keep feeling, day after day, I need a break then I can take one.
But I don't want to fall into the trap of thinking I need rest at the slightest signs of fatigue. I know we've talked about this lots in the past... always evolving and growing my thoughts around this and understanding myself a little bit better every week.
Anyway... have to go do my least favourite workout of the week shortly: a speed run. Wish me luck.
Thank you for writing. The world is a better place with you sharing your writing in it (:
Thanks buddy, I appreciate you. I'm certainly a better version of myself because I write, and I suppose that makes my corner of the world a little bit better.
ah resistance my dark little friend. i went through the same thought patterns this week before hitting publish. but theres something poweful about building a streak and not wanting to break it. im glad you didnt break yours!
Resistance never goes away. No matter how many years you’ve been doing something, it will always be there. You just get better at overcoming it.
Thanks for reading and supporting, Arman — especially on a week where I struggled to get something readable out the door.
yep its all about quieting that little voice inside our heads. which is easier said than done. but you did it this week so you defeated the resistance once again. at least until next week :)
Indeed, my friend... the battle must be fought anew every day
I found when I switched from focusing on the outcome (publish an essay every two weeks) and instead focused on the process (write everyday for at least 15 minutes) I’ve written more, and published more, with more ideas being generated that I can dive into when I carve out the time.
Such a great point, Jeremy. Focusing on process rather than outcomes is such a great way to frame work. Especially work for long-term games with no defined end point (writing, fitness, relationships, etc.). Although I often get caught up in outcomes, I always try to come back to the process. Thanks for the reminder :)
It wasn’t until I wrote about it that I got clarity on what it means to focus on the process instead. Focusing only on goals can have deadly consequences. Literally. Especially for men. Sharing here for those interested. https://open.substack.com/pub/kathekon/p/windmills-and-white-whales?r=7j6pb&utm_medium=ios
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Excited to give it a read.
Oh. And I got my 15 minutes in yesterday from 11:15-11:30pm last night.
That is commitment right there, love to see it.
I appreciate that! It wasn’t easy. But the streak continues.
That’s what it’s all about. Just keeping yourself in the game.
Jack, loved the whole piece and the importance of the message, which resonates with me, especially as I think I’ve published 14 essays in about 80 weeks 😕.
When I read your footnote I was reminded about so many assays I read where the footnote could have been the essay. Sometimes, after our thinking brain have “produced” something then we sort of burp up what’s been in our heart waiting to be accessed all along. That’s not saying your whole piece wasn’t great, it was. It’s just saying I loved and appreciated the footnote 😀. “I wrote this footnote afterwards when I felt much better because I finished my writing and exercise.”
Keep being an inspiration!
Thanks, James. I'm glad you liked it because it's certainly far away from the best work I feel I've done... just one of those weeks. Given the other responsibilities you have in your life that I presently lack (a family and a business to run), I think 14 essays in 80 weeks is pretty damn good.
I wrote that footnote in the notes app on my phone while stretching after my Monday workout. I almost cut it from the essay before publishing. But I felt some more backstory was necessary and I'm really happy to hear it resonated with you. Going through the motions can be a powerful tool in our consistently toolkit to get done the hard things and send ourselves to a place of "feeling much better because..."
Thank you for always supporting me and showing up in the comments. It means more to me than you know.
...this is awesome Jack and congrats on making it to 119...to at least 11,119 more...the easiest thing to do is to give up on the hardest things...you just broke down that door...and a great read bc of it...
Thanks pal, appreciate your kindness here. T’was certainly one of the more challenging writing weeks but got it done. If I make it 11,119 more, I’ll be a happy man… and have a very successful blog because I would have cracked the code to longevity
Or rather lifespan*, longevity is much more than simply how long you dwell on this rock. To me at least.
Just what I needed this morning. Thanks Jack.
So happy to hear :) it was what I needed this morning too. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment here, Robyn.
I was just talking this morning with a friend about this subject, when is it time to back off and when should one keep leaning in? In my experience you have to try both at different times and it's only in hindsight over time that you start to sense the difference between resistance you need to push through and organic needs for rest and recovery.
I 100% agree with this, Rick. I said something to a very similar tune in responding to my Dad’s (Rob) comment on this post.
You have to push through hard times to know when you’re just facing resistance versus when you genuinely need a break. Especially with the popularization of burnout culture — odds are you aren’t burnt out, you are just facing the regular human condition of resistance.
I’ve been sick all week and haven’t missed a workout or a day of writing. Still alive and kicking. Feeling good about myself for going through the motions even when I didn’t feel my best.
You're an inspiration. Not because you ALWAYS push through, but because you are genuinely exploring beyond your first reactionary idea of your own limits and dedicated to what is possible by making the extra effort or asking the extra question.
Thank you Rick, I appreciate that. “Exploring beyond your first reactionary idea…” I like that a lot. That’s something I want to try to live up to.
And speaking of exploring limits, I just got back from my weekly interval/speed run — boy do I not look forward to those.