I first wrote this to my newsletter community in September 2021, but I thought you should get to read it too
…Riding the Energy Wave to Execute: How Chaotic Habits Help
In my last article, we started a conversation about time and energy, and I thought to delve a little deeper to explore another side to it. But before then, how are you doing? (This is not a drill. I’d really love for you to pause and reflect on how you are doing). Better than yesterday, high in spirits, or hoping for better? Stuck on a problem, falling behind, or on top of your game? Feeling loved and supported, or unsure? Overwhelmed by the work you need to do?
How have the tips from Time and Energy helped you get a better handle on managing your time and/or feeling swamped? What did the time log assessment show you about your time and energy cycles? What have you started to do based on the new knowledge you now have? I am firmly on your side, and look forward to the better quality of life you would be able to enjoy as you sort this out
…moving on
We have looked at the time component of time management, and this month, we would step further into the conversation by looking at energy levels and motivation
Yes – we plan, map things out, organize etc. But things do not always follow this plan
Is this you, darling?
Do you have great plans that work well on paper, but that you struggle to execute?
When I first started to write about Chaotic Habits in February of 2021, I was thinking of people like us, whose struggle with execution ranged from difficulty in forming habits, executive dysfunction (and its attendant shenanigans), and unpredictable energy levels (to name a few). If you haven’t already read the article (or perhaps need to revisit it), you can read it HERE
As I worked on these nuggets and expanded them first into a book, and then built a workbook-styled journal out, one of the things that stood out to me over and again is that things I DECIDE to do get done
They may take a long time, but they will get done
It has been a steady marker of what I eventually get around to doing, and what stays hanging perpetually:
I aapproach tasks that I deem important with the irrevocable finality of the preferred reality in mind, and it influences how I tackle the obstacles and challenges I encounter in the course of execution (whether it’s a simple task like brushing my teeth, or a nuanced, multilayered, multi-step one like writing a book or updating this blog)
It is why even though my energy may flag at the planned time for the task, I find another time AFTER I have recovered to do the needful. It sits at the heart of my decision to keep my schedule permanently underbooked so that I have plenty of wiggle room to make any necessary adjustments
…and over time, this disposition is what makes people (my clients, friends, boss, teammates etc.) trust me to deliver. It is also what helps me to keep getting things done, moving forward towards the outcomes I desire, and I believe it can help you too
To shift into this irrevocable conviction, consider making the transition from asking yourself “why should I… ?” to asking “what if I…” or “what if xyz happens?” and allow yourself to experience the outcome over and again in your mind. It cements the outcome super clearly in your mind’s eye in a way nobody’s sermons or scolding could ever do for you
Best part? It works, darling. It works
It works for everything, like those presentation/slides you don’t want to do (because you’d rather use spreadsheets) to trips you’re dreading because the airport is a high stressor zone to classes/school text that give you trepidation because the font is all wrong and unreadable or the subject matter makes your headache to pending coursework that is piling because each of the classes is long etc.
One of my mentors has these super looooong videos in her course structure system, but because I approach the videos with the mindset of completion, there is less overwhelm around it. It is now largely a matter of adjusting my approach to match the timeline of each course video. The possibility of not finishing them does not exist in my mind. I want the possibility and mind expansion her teaching brings, and the personal transformation and growth that triggers, and I refuse to consider not playing my part to sit with the wisdom made available. So my mind knows that it’s task is to get me through it, not to bitch about it. Avoidance may happen, and executive dysfunction may make me struggle, but I WILL get through them. It’s non-negotiable
Some weeks, getting through those videos meant sitting to finish a previously abandoned sewing project (so the sewing machine’s background noise can drown out all external distraction) while I played the course content and paused sewing periodically to take notes. Some weeks, it meant picking an elaborate series of dishes to make, and getting into the kitchen with my notes at a dry corner of the kitchen counter. Some weeks, it was finding a new position to contort into in a fresh corner of my room, with earbuds in my ears.
That irrevocable finality, and mental acceptance of the preferred outcome is my game changer – it keeps me going, even when I’ve got no strength or motivation left. Allow yourself to become so sold out to the outcome, you cannot imagine a life where it does not happen
The reason our flagging energy levels tend to affect us more than we expect is that we tend to imagine a perfect implementation course, and so when things don’t go according to plan, we spiral into freeze mode. The problem is this:
Your excuses may be tenable, but their tenability will not help you avoid the consequences. The person who failed JAMB/UTME because their parent died on the day of the exam will be understood, even though they still failed
– Philip Olubakin
We’ve already learned how to manage time around typical energy levels, but productivity is also about what happens in less than perfect scenarios, and that’s why your mindset matters
Does this new approach sound doable? Let’s start on your next desired outcome: “What are you deciding to do, and why?”
When you can
- keep track of what you are commiting to, and
- keep this list as lean as realistically possible,
your life becomes less about the hour-to-hour flow (which could be greatly impacted by unpredictable energy and exhaustion ebbs and flows), and more about whether you are moving towards the things that are truly important to you
I understand that it’s hard to set out schedules when you’re tired all the time – when physical and mental exhaustion are very real components of your life day in, day out. But you can set out action/work flows, plan for your rest, and maximize delegation and automation to cut down physical exertion and exhaustion as much as is possible for your own situation
REFLECT:
What are you deciding to do, and why? What do you need to get it done? What tech is readily available to ease the process? What mundane (but enjoyable) activity can you layer it on? Where do you think would work best for doing it?
Pro-tip: use stuff you already have at your disposal, and within convenient reach to get started. As you build streaks, experience and track records on the journey to this outcome, one of the games you can play is to see how many different ways your method/process can be improved to help you enjoy this better
Remember: more enjoyment = more dopamine
You win, your brain wins, and you actually start to look forward to doing the activity whenever it shows up on your schedule/daily plan
So let’s get to work immediately. Remember our very first lesson?
Action, change and growth are the end goals, not just being a repository of knowledge
– Jane OLUWADARE
Friendly reminder that if you need help with this, if you want conversations, a bragging partner and/or accountability around this process, all you need to do is sign up for productivity coaching with me and I’d be happy to help you win 🤗
I hope you enjoyed this letter. If you’d like to read more on intentional growth, self-awareness and productivity, you should consider signing up for my newsletter
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Yours in growth, development, and with a lot of love
Jane OLUWADARE