a clarifying question

Does this serve my long term goals?

If I ask this question about anything, and answer honestly, I move closer to where I want to be. The next action becomes clear.

Asking and answering this question helps keep the focus on my strategy. The big picture.

Tactics are interesting. What’s the best diet? Can I get away with less sleep? Can I improve my morning routine? Tactics are attractive because they make it seem like there is an “unlock”. Take this action instead of that action and watch the improvements roll in.

The thing is, different tactics work for different people. Different tactics also work for the same person at different times.

Tactics are part of the game, but not the whole game.

To win consistently and in various circumstances, I need an overarching strategy that guides day to day actions.

A strategy should be simple: I want to be fit and healthy.

The resulting tactics can be infinitely complex and ever-changing:

• drink plenty of water
• avoid sugar
• limit carbs
• eat whole grains (ah! carbs!)
• eat fruit (ah! carbs again!)
• exercise
• but also rest
• fast occasionally?
• sleep enough, but what does that mean?
• pay attention to mental health too
• …and on and on…

Taken out of context, any single piece of the puzzle may help, or it may not. It’s also hard to remember all of that nonsense, let alone meaningfully communicate it to someone else who may be interested.

So I start with a simple overall strategy, then I work on the detailed instruction manual as I go. I start with “I want a house” then I draw the blueprint.

The whole path from here to there is rarely clear. The next step, however, can be identified by answering the question: does this serve my long term goals?

h/t Jocko Podcast