Week 14, 2024 - Diary of a Revenue Engineer
What I thought…
Well life certainly happened, and I made a s**t tonne of plans too. Again, this week’s quote hit the nail on the head. It did so in a poetic and vital way. What else should we expect from one of history’s great singer-songwriters?
Life happens while you’re making plans. You're looking to the future and thinking about what’s next. Or, you're stuck replaying past events.
Being in the moment is incredibly hard... I am working at my meditation still, almost daily, and I struggle to focus my mind for only 10 minutes.
You do build muscle for being in the moment. Each time you notice your behavior and return to your anchor, centre, or the moment, you build that muscle.
I also learned a lot more about the amazing grey muscle of your mind. A certain part of it may be the center for will power, and maybe the center of drive and even a will to live.
I enjoyed making plans this week. I reveled in self discovery. But, I also got lost in the moment and wondered at the unique beauty of the clouds on a sunny day.
How lucky we are to be in this world, keeping it and those in it safe should be the duty of us all.
So - take a deep breath, and be in the moment with me whilst we review week 14 of 2024.
What I learned…
I delved into the processes and structures in "Mastery" by Robert Greene and "Drive" by Daniel Pink. I did this as part of a deep review and renewal of goals with my CustomGPT AI coach.
I also listened to the Huberman Lab podcast on “purpose”. Robert Greene was on it. He gave a sneak peek into the process to understand yourself.
I devoured this content. It sent me on another journey of self-discovery. I was lost for two hours on a Tuesday afternoon in a mind map on Miro. Miro is one of my favorite tools for brainstorming and innovation. But, I learned a great deal.
I found the experience very visceral and stimulating. Certain memories from childhood stood out.
I found myself recalling strong memories of a high-school trip to a coastline for biology. We estimated bio-diversity. We studied a specific sea-weed, Ascophyllum Nodosom, a name that has stuck with me. This seaweed is now a major nutrient source for those into health and longevity. It ties into my current focus .
I learned a lot about myself. I learned how hard it is to define and discover “purpose.” I also learned how important it is to ask hard questions and do hard things from an early age.
I’m a very lucky man, though I’ve lived two lives already and hope I have two more at least in the tank.
What I built…
I learned a lot this week. The lessons were personal. But, I made a flow to understand my own motivations. This let me find better goals for myself. I hope to share the process here for anyone to use.
From this, I created a new plan and a schedule to connect with my own purpose, loves and drives. I’m putting this into a schedule now. The process was enlightening and fun.
How I lived longer…
A lot happened this week. It was about living longer and being happier. So, I’ll dive into the main points.
Nutrition - I know this is a complex and highly contested subject, but I genuinely feel that this is one of the last major nuts to crack for me... everything else is in place, getting this right is the final piece of the puzzle. The challenge this week? I get my recommended protein in an 1800 calorie, pescatarian diet. I also share a house and meal plan with a vegan partner and vegetarian daughter. TBC...
Goal - I’m still reading Ikigai but it’s clear that purpose is a major part of living a longer and more fulfilling life.
AMC - Again, I dove deeper into the anterior mid-cingulate cortex with another Huberman Lab episode. I instantly added it to my "best podcasts of your life" playlist on Spotify. In short - doing hard things that you don’t want to do helps you live longer - but listen to the episode, it’s excellently put together.
How I stayed happier…
As well as my continued journey of learning and progression, I worked on a couple of other things this week. First, something I’m really struggling with still:
Self Prioritisation - I’m finding it so hard to get the time I need and the focus I need to do what I want to do to achieve my goals. I think I’m not alone in this whatsoever, but it’s hard to do. Something which has helped a lot and made my days feel longer, is an earlier rise. I’m still working on it, and a 2.5 year old for whom 5am is a lie certainly brings its complications... especially when my partner was so sleep deprived for so long with our baby, who just needed her mother, that I don’t feel comfortable waking her. And that’s the rub... I am the blocker on so many things prioritizing my time... I haven’t found the solution yet, but I will do.
And I also worked on some personal items:
Goals - I’m still reworking the purpose and goals. But, the process has been good so far. I’m happy to add other goals to the ones I’ve made habits around (namely fitness).
Radical accountability and candor - not the feedback framework I wrote about before. Instead, they are about being honest with myself about my drives, what’s held me back, and more. I focused on the discomfort of certain thoughts. I asked deeper, more direct questions about negative behavior. Then, I started to take action.
Final Thoughts…
Plans matter.
The immediate moment matters.
Your time matters.
Family time matters.
There is a lot to do, and a lot to prioritise and the clock never stops on those short 24 hours.
So, how do we do it all? How can we have our chronological cake and metaphorically eat it?
I really don’t know. But, I’m enjoying the journey of discovery. I’m learning more about myself and the world I live in. I'm also learning about the workings and strengths of my own mind, my own body, and my own resolve.
I enjoy plans for the future... but I also love looking at the clouds on a sunny day.
Take a breath and be in the moment with me, then enjoy the struggle. You’re not alone.
Thanks for stopping by.
