4.0 KiB
4.0 KiB
Discipline
When your rationality wants one thing
but your emotions do something else.
Elephant Rider
- metaphor describing our internal interactions
- elephant = emotional side
- rider = rational side
-V-
The rider is tiny but intelligent,
holding the reigns and choosing the right path.
The elephant is huge but simple,
with a mind of its own.
-V-
Most of the time, the elephant let's the rider lead the way.
But at 6 tons it won't be bossed around!
-V-
If the rider is indecisive or tired,
the elephant will do as it likes.
If the elephant gets scared,
it will not obey the rider.
-V-
Ego depletion
- making decisions (big or small) is tiring
- everyone has some operational capacity
- when the capacity is depleted, we let the emotional side take over
-V-
Replenishing the capacity
- allows us to avoid the depletion
- needs to be done in advance
- take breaks
- do simple manual activities
- improve your mood
-V-
Growing the capacity
- it is possible to increase our capacity
- by building positive habits
- by lowering an emotional aversion
-V-
Emotional aversion
- some activities appear daunting right away:
- demanding lots of effort
- ambiguous; many unknowns
- uncomfortable or even painful
- this creates an emotional barrier
- lowering the barrier makes an activity approachable
-V-
The rider must plan around the elephant's needs
to make good progress on their journey
without being thrown into a ditch.
TOOL: Habit tracker
Define positive habits
and track them daily.
| Habit | Workout | Alcohol | Coding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | > 10 min | < 0,5 l | > 30 min |
| 1. | 🟢 20 | 🟢 0 | 🔴 15 |
| 2. | 🔴 5 | 🔴 1 | 🔴 10 |
| 3. | 🔴 0 | 🟢 0,2 | 🔴 25 |
| 4. | 🟢 13 | 🟢 0,2 | 🟢 35 |
| 5. | 🟢 12 | 🟢 0 | 🟢 45 |
My Habits
- Get up early
- before 4:45 daily
- no exceptions
- Gym workout
- at least 10 minutes daily
- right after waking up
- Personal Work session
- at least 1 hour daily
- right after the gym
TOOL: ToDo Today
What?
- list of prioritized, time-boxed tasks
- prepared the previous day
Why?
- avoids decision paralysis
- trimmed down daily list is manageable
- big tasks split into small ones
- the elephant doesn't get scared
Important task first
- something you want or need to complete
- consistent daily progress
TOOL: Daily Heroism
[Philip Zimbardo]
Take a small step out of your comfort zone.
Daily.
Why?
- grows your ability to act and step out of the crowd
- aids in fulfilling your vision and maintaining discipline
My Heroisms
- smalltalk
- do it before you rationalize