Doing Hard Things, Speed, and Capability vs Efficiency

Doing Hard Things

A Thought

What does it look like to do a hard thing? A hard thing can be defined as anything that stretches you beyond your comfort zone.

Doing hard things is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes and the less you use it, the weaker it becomes.

Leaving your comfort zone is like a muscle. The more you leave your comfort zone, the easier it becomes and the less you leave your comfort zone, the harder it becomes.

A Truth

The cost of doing hard things is paid today but the benefits are enjoyed tomorrow.

The benefits of not doing hard things are enjoyed today but the cost is paid tomorrow.

The cost of leaving your comfort zone is paid today but the benefits are enjoyed tomorrow.

The benefits of not leaving your comfort zone are enjoyed today but the cost is paid tomorrow.

An Action

What hard thing have I been avoiding to do recently?

When was the last time I left my comfort zone?

What is one hard thing I can do today?

Speed

A Thought

If time is one of the most valuable commodities, then the ability to get things done quickly is one of the most valuable tools we have at our disposal.

People who get things done 'quicker' are people who have committed their undivided focus towards getting one thing done at a time.

A Truth

Getting things done quickly does not mean getting things done poorly. Getting things done quickly means dedicating your undivided attention to the task at hand.

"F.O.C.U.S - Follow One Course Until Success"

The goal is not necessarily to become faster, but to become more focused. Speed is then a byproduct of focus.

An Action

What often distracts me from completely focusing on the tasks I have?

What one thing can I do to limit those distractions?

Capability vs Efficiency

A Thought

Almost everything is achievable but you cannot achieve everything.

An underrated skill is being able to differentiate between what you can do and what you should not do.

Just because you can does not mean that you should.

A Truth

"We fail when we stick with the tasks we do not have the guts to quit."

That being said, quitting should not happen simply because a task is difficult.

Quitting should happen when there is a mismatch between the task and the (positive) future return on our efforts.

If your goal is to be an athlete, then dedicating most of your day towards athletic activities provides you with a high return on your efforts. If your goal is to be a writer, then dedicating most of your day towards athletic activities provides you with a low return on your efforts.

Just because you can do athletic activities does not mean you should do athletic activities.

There might be general health benefits to partaking in athletic activities but as a writer, it provides you with fewer long-term benefits.

An Action

Are there any activities that I am doing that I should drop?

Is doing "X" the most efficient use of my time and energy?

What activities best match my capabilities and provide (positive) future returns on my effort?