Life

Two proven ways to get important work done

November 5, 2019

It might be the most important thing you ever have to figure out for yourself. How do you get important work done?

It’s the key to living a full, productive, happy and balanced life. When you don’t have this figured out, you end up doing a lot of things, but actually achieving very little.

I’ve settled on a couple of strategies for helping me get important work done. Before I share them, I want to talk about The Eisenhower Matrix. It’s one of the most powerful frameworks I’ve found to think about where you spend your time.

How to get back on track

October 8, 2019

When I woke up this morning, I found myself worrying about where I was in life.

It’s been a chaotic few months. We had a family holiday in Yorkshire. We’ve been doing a major house renovation, where we had to move out for 6 weeks. We moved back in now, but we’re still living in a partial building site. My daughter Fearne started school. And, I’m holding down a fairly ‘full on’ job in London.

I’ve found it a struggle to get, and stay in my groove. My environment has been all over the place, which makes it hard to stick to my habits and routines. It’s a reminder that these habits and routines are the foundation for how I organise my life and get things done.

As I sat there worrying and beating myself up, I remembered two things – which helped knock me out of it.

This single book, restored my faith in books

August 29, 2019

I just finished reading Living with a Seal, and it was SO GOOD. Potentially life changing.

I’ve already sent a few copies to friends, and I’ve recommended it to more than ten people (this is very rare for me).

The hardest part about getting addictive behaviours under control

March 3, 2019

In how to win the battle with addictive behaviours, I outlined a three step process:

Self awareness
Do a Reset
Decide the line

I think most people would assume the reset is the hardest step. I’m finding out that’s not the case.

How to win the battle with addictive behaviours

January 16, 2019

We have lots of things in our lives, that it’s worth finding the right line for.

A few examples are alcohol, social media, caffeine, sugar, Netflix, screen time etc. The list goes on.

I spend a lot of time thinking about stuff like this. I’m ultimately trying to get to what the right level of consumption is for me.

Planning for the year ahead

December 18, 2018

Planning for the year ahead

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. I haven’t made any for the last few years, and I failed to keep most of the ones I made before that.

Instead, I prefer to be thinking about this stuff in a different, and ongoing way (more about that at the end of this post).

That said, there is something about one year coming to a close, and another starting. It feels like a good time to take stock of where you’re at.

I’ve been doing that for the last couple of days, and wanted to share the process I’ve been going through.

I went for lunch, and all I did was eat lunch – it was hard and weird

November 3, 2018

I wonder about myself at times. Ella already thinks I’m weird, and shit like this really doesn’t help.

So, I’m walking to this restaurant by myself. And I’m thinking — I wonder if I can go in and just eat lunch. No phone, no kindle, no nothing. Just me and my lunch.

Social media: The one thing I did, which finally got it under control

October 29, 2018

I’ve tried almost every type of strategy to get my social media use under control. By under control, I mean managing the negatives, so that overall it’s a net positive in my life.

That is, until 3 weeks ago. I tried something new, and I’ve finally nailed it.

Self Development – the key and the curse to a fulfilled life

October 8, 2018

It’s hard to think of self education and development as anything but positive. If you’re not bettering yourself, you’re moving backwards right?

I’ve come to realise that self education and development can be both the key, but also the curse to a fulfilled life.

Three reasons morning routines don’t work (and how to stick to one you love)

August 30, 2018

Waking early and making good use of the early hours is the biggest life hack there is — no exception. It’s a competitive advantage that almost feels like you’re cheating. You’re getting stuff done whilst most other people are sleeping like babies!

But, it can be hard to find one you like doing and will stick to (these are linked).

In my experience, there are three things that are at the root of not sticking to a morning routine: