Dreams Start With Patience #38

Reading time: 5 minutes

Before we get into this week’s edition:

I’m so excited to announce my first digital product.

Free - for newsletter readers.

This guide will cover the basics of productivity and personal development.

An email will be sent to your inbox on January 1st.

This year has been insane for growth in my life.

Thank you for reading and giving me feedback on this newsletter and the podcast.

Your support doesn’t go unnoticed - love all of you.

Let’s get into this micro-guide for productivity improvement.

(Before the sauce drops)

Here’s how I plan on going into 2024.

The first principle is mindset.

Everything you do starts in the mind.

Your beliefs about life, self, and the world around you impact day-to-day life.

Ask yourself this question:

“How do my thoughts affect myself and everything around me?”

In 2024, you might want to change yourself.

For the first 2 weeks, you might do great.

But most of the time this is only because the energy from others is the same.

Do you want to wake up on New Year’s Day:

• Hungover

• Irritable

• In pain

• In a negative state of mind.

OR

Do you want to wake up on New Year’s Day recharged and ready to attack this year in full force?

Change happens first in the mind.

What I plan on doing is reinforcing a “growth mindset”

Growth mindset vs fixed mindset.

When you operate in a growth-oriented world you start to believe in your potential.

When operating in fixed mindsets you are in the mindset of lack.

Complaining becomes your default mode.

This is the first step into self-actualization.

Believing and having faith in your ability to make life better.

To gather resources, find shelter, and secure support and nurture.

No one is coming to save you.

Don’t just take my words on growth mindsets being the gateway to self-improvement.

Here’s a video from Carol Dweck (a leading expert in the field of motivation)

Why New Year’s Resolutions Are A Status Game

2nd Principle: You are far more likely to achieve your goals if you don’t tell people about them.

The issue with a resolution to improve sits within our addiction to praise.

We tell people our New Year’s Resolutions because we want to feel as if we are doing the right thing.

We want praise for going to the gym and bettering our lives.

But why do so few people achieve their goals?

Motivation is fleeting, discipline is here to stay.
What I plan on doing:

Instead of relying on motivation in the moment.

When I don’t feel like completing a task or doing a workout….

It’s a signal in a world of noise - I need to do it.

Reverse your perspective on your thoughts.

Outside of the chaos and bullshit of the new year energy everyone has.

If you constantly do things you don’t want to do:

You will see gradual improvement.

This is without a doubt - consistency is the currency.

But, a growth mindset will allow you to play the long game (especially when you suck and fail)

If you’re stuck in a fixed state of mind - you won’t play long enough to see results.

You will cower and go back to old habits when things get hard

You won’t achieve the level of certainty you’re looking for.

The only certainties? Death and taxes.

Break the New Year resolution hell cycle. - this is why self-improvement is an infinite game.

Goal Setting and Grit

Setting goals is easy, but to actualize those goals is a challenge in itself.

The 3rd principle?

Gradual growth of grit.

I’ve talked about this way too much.

It’s all about getting started and not pursuing perfection - show up.

I’ve learned a lot about myself in the past 18 months.

I’m not naturally motivated like others.

But, the ability to just show up - to the gym, to my desk for deep work, and be present with difficult relationships is a superpower.

It doesn’t get easier - you just get better over time.

Grit is mental fortitude.

Your environment plays a massive role in how consistent you are.

Environment either allows you to live on your edge or sit inside your comfort bubble.

I’m going to be optimizing for grit through my environment.

I have no idea where it will take me, but I know when the time comes to move on I’ll accept the flow of life.

Tip:
Find the necessary questions and commitments for the grit game.

Systems I Use For Productivity:

My 4th principle for improvement?

Start by making lists and creating an unbelievable amount of them.

Different types of lists.

Your mind is a list-generating behemoth.

While also being equally terrible at remembering all those little thoughts.

My favorite system is the PARA system (second brain) by Tiago Forte.

Systemization and knowledge databases are here to stay.

Paper is crucial, especially for the retention of ideas when writing.

Yet, it can be hard to reference - digital databases have search features.

Notion + Obsidian made my thinking and writing 10x clearer.

This system has helped me keep track of things and automate the boring details.
If you are interested in building a second brain please reach out to me - I want to help you

Other systems for productivity I use:

• Deep work (Cal Newport)

• Daily Highlights (grit based)

• Brain dumping (emotional and professional stress relief)

To get your house in order (your mind) is the most important part of improvement.

I’m guilty of not being the greatest at mental upkeep but this leads me to believe in the best habit you can develop.

Journaling.

My challenge to my readers in 2024:

Step 1: Buy a few notebooks and some pens.

Step 2: Write daily, no specific time amount.

Step 3: Aim to fill out the entire notebook with your thoughts, emotions, goals, visions, and stuff you want to remember.

If you can fill out an entire notebook - you will improve your modes of thinking.

You never know what will spill out onto the page in front of you.

The best compliment I’ve received this year has been,

“You have incredibly structured thinking.”

This baffles me because at one point in my life, I couldn’t operate, or communicate ideas clearly, and hell everything was in a constant state of chaos.

You are going to conquer this next year, I know it.

If you are looking for specific goals:

Gauge your level in:

• Health

• Wealth

• Relationships.

Find your priority for the next 90 days.

Stick to it until it feels like play.

When work feels like play you have discovered your domain of “potential” mastery.

There is a 100% chance you can improve in these areas (everyone can)

Thanks for reading!
Another way I can help you when you are ready:
Learn how to optimize creativity and productivity directly from me

Your productivity buddy who still can’t believe his 20’s are almost halfway done.
-Zachariah