i can't remember where i got this saved quote from but i think it's highly relevant:
"Where to start this story? Maybe it's best to start with my takeaway, so you know that I have a point to all this. My takeaway, or the one I'm talking about today, is that how you hold yourself during destabilization sets the tone for who you'll be when stability finds you again. This is incredibly important to realize and live by while you're destabilized, not just looking back on it or anticipating it."
Today I had a conversation with a super productive person (think hyper-elite academia; fantastic research output; involved in top-level decision making; lots of travel; consulted in policy-making) and they were talking about how tired they were all the time and hadn’t slept properly in like half a year and how they’re dealing with a sick parent and their own health etc. And I was standing there stunned at how productive they had been research wise when me with my open schedule hadn’t managed a fraction of that.
Your post helps me see how this might be possible. This person has just figured out working while tired. They are not a huberman-type optimizer.; they eat randomly, sleep randomly; don’t really exercise. They just pile up massive amounts of work on their plate but then just go for it.
i read this yesterday and i can't stop thinking about it: the truest test of character is who you are on your bad days. i've heard this spun in a number of different ways, but for whatever reason, this time it's revolutionary. much to ponder. thanks!
Seems similar to what they do in the military, in particular for special forces training - they put the recruits under tremendous pressure, physically and mentally and see who can cope. What can you do when totally exhausted. It seems that for SAS the added factor is no feedback - you aren't told you've met the standard - you just have to find internal resources to keep going.
When I first read the title, I thought this article would be similar to one I just wrote about corporate performance theater. And it isn’t not related?
As someone who is sooooo not an athlete, the pro basketball training is such an interesting angle! And it makes so much sense. If practice makes perfect, shouldn’t the conditions in which you practice match the real deal? The worst part of this is actually doing the reps, doing the training. I don’t want to be the monster I am when I’m tired or hungry, but the only way to change that is to practice. Ugh. 😂
hm. i'm usually my best (or pretty-good) self! my tired self really only shows up once in a while.
and while IME doing damage control is valuable (force yourself to do fewer stupid things while tired), long run most of what you accomplish is on good days when it comes easily.
i can't remember where i got this saved quote from but i think it's highly relevant:
"Where to start this story? Maybe it's best to start with my takeaway, so you know that I have a point to all this. My takeaway, or the one I'm talking about today, is that how you hold yourself during destabilization sets the tone for who you'll be when stability finds you again. This is incredibly important to realize and live by while you're destabilized, not just looking back on it or anticipating it."
Today I had a conversation with a super productive person (think hyper-elite academia; fantastic research output; involved in top-level decision making; lots of travel; consulted in policy-making) and they were talking about how tired they were all the time and hadn’t slept properly in like half a year and how they’re dealing with a sick parent and their own health etc. And I was standing there stunned at how productive they had been research wise when me with my open schedule hadn’t managed a fraction of that.
Your post helps me see how this might be possible. This person has just figured out working while tired. They are not a huberman-type optimizer.; they eat randomly, sleep randomly; don’t really exercise. They just pile up massive amounts of work on their plate but then just go for it.
i read this yesterday and i can't stop thinking about it: the truest test of character is who you are on your bad days. i've heard this spun in a number of different ways, but for whatever reason, this time it's revolutionary. much to ponder. thanks!
Seems similar to what they do in the military, in particular for special forces training - they put the recruits under tremendous pressure, physically and mentally and see who can cope. What can you do when totally exhausted. It seems that for SAS the added factor is no feedback - you aren't told you've met the standard - you just have to find internal resources to keep going.
This is an extremely cool perspective. Thank you.
Yesssssss this is beautiful. Thank you 🙏🏼
When I first read the title, I thought this article would be similar to one I just wrote about corporate performance theater. And it isn’t not related?
As someone who is sooooo not an athlete, the pro basketball training is such an interesting angle! And it makes so much sense. If practice makes perfect, shouldn’t the conditions in which you practice match the real deal? The worst part of this is actually doing the reps, doing the training. I don’t want to be the monster I am when I’m tired or hungry, but the only way to change that is to practice. Ugh. 😂
hm. i'm usually my best (or pretty-good) self! my tired self really only shows up once in a while.
and while IME doing damage control is valuable (force yourself to do fewer stupid things while tired), long run most of what you accomplish is on good days when it comes easily.
Insightful.