Systems Over Goals

Keeping it simple.

I wrote yesterday about the idea of finding a balance between rewiring ourselves to enjoy doing hard things, and finding a release valve (cheat meal/day/activity) that integrates balance into our lives.

Scott Adams is the creator of Dilbert, coffee lover, master Internet troll, and an evangelist for the idea of systems versus goals for creators.

The idea of daily habits, morning papers, gratitude journaling, mindfulness practices, are not new. It’s a way to create some structure and order in our lives. At the same time, there needs to be directed action. Everyone is different.

My Pandemic “system” has evolved to:

6:30am - Wake up, breathe and be present as I wake up. See what thoughts are bouncing around after the previous night’s sleep, observing them. Be grateful for breath.

7-7:30am - Get out of bed, morning routine - brush teeth, get ready, shower, etc.

7:30-8am - Tall glass of water, prepare morning “bulletproof” coffee with MCT oil, Kerry Gold butter, powdered mushroom extracts (lions mane, reishi, chaga, etc.)

8am - Begin writing, bounce ideas off of colleagues/friends, schedule daily Substack posting at 11:11am.

8:45-5:30pm - More writing, whitepapers, work projects, due diligence, research, meetings. Drink lots of coffee, tea, and water.

TBD time - take James Bond, our border collie out for daily walks, at least once per day. Use it as an opportunity to train him.

4:20pm - Yup.

5:30-6:30pm - Eat my first meal of the day with the wife or family. Intermittent fasting seems to agree with my body.

7-9:30pm - Relax, watch TV, decompress a bit.

9:30-11pm - Compose outline/draft for tomorrow’s writing, listen to something I want to learn (usually personal development or skill related) on YouTube or Audible as I drift to sleep to seed tomorrow’s creativity.

Sometimes, errands and life interrupt this schedule, but the Pandemic has been good for me personally to create some boundaries and alone time. I need to add some dedicated strength training, exercise, home organization, and healthy cooking into the routine.

There is something to publicly declaring something that helps with accountability. Thanks for listening.

Day 18: Scott Adams Locals #GivingChristmas