I've broken the streak

Welcome to the 12th edition of the Notes by Chris B Co newsletter. Let the experimentation continue. I’m keeping this edition shorter than usual - let’s see how it goes. Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

• 11-week Streak - GONE

• Prioritising what feels good

• Shiny object syndrome

• What to watch/listen to

Please find any of my previous editions here if you've missed them.

01 / 11-WEEK STREAK - GONE
So I missed a week…

Oh no!  I won’t have time to write the Notes edition this week.  Have I failed?  Have I let down my 30 subscribers?  Will I ever write again?  Am I a bad person? Have I disappointed my mother? (Hi Mum)

The last few weeks have been extremely busy, culminating in a week where I had some significant deliverables due at Quad Lock, a deliverable for a CBCo client, and a few non-work related activities I wanted to participate in.  Something had to give - so I chose to break my streak of 11 weeks in a row since the launch of scheduling a Notes edition.

The thoughts above above were some of what went through my head while making the decision.  Thankfully, most of them were fleeting.  I set a goal to which I’d committed 52 weeks of writing, but that doesn’t mean I should always prioritise that goal over other important aspects of my life. I think it’s essential that you remain adaptable.  So, for last week at least, I altered my priorities, and I’m happier now.

Prioritising what feels good

There is reasoning involved in my decision-making - it sounds obvious, but I sometimes wonder about the decision-making processes of others.  No judgement, just curiosity. 

I like to apply a proportionate level of reasoning to the importance of the decision.  Buying a house?  Huge investment, one of the biggest in your life.  This should take the highest level of reasoning input.  What to have for lunch?  Negligable importance - reasoning, if any, should be on the end of the scale.  It’s not always easy for others; my best guess is that it comes down to their system for making those decisions.

Do you have a systematic decision-making process?
Here’s what goes through my head each weekend when meal planning lunches for the week ahead:

Prioritising is a form of decision-making. When laid out visually, you can see how I’ve prioritised my lunch options based on several criteria. I haven’t gone to extremes with this flow chart - just enough to show you my general thought process. Setting the right priorities is something I’m constantly reviewing.

02 / SHINY OBJECT SYNDROME
What is it?

Isaac Dumet on the Everhour blog writes, “Shiny object syndrome is when someone focuses all their attention on something new and current. Usually, this is at the expense of whatever they have or currently doing. In a business setting, shiny object syndrome takes the form of chasing the latest strategy, tactic, or advice making the rounds within the industry.”

I have succumbed to this in the past, but I think in more recent years, I’ve developed a willingness to push through, see things out, and let ideas I’m trying run their course.  I will admit some gleaming ideas are floating around for me now.  When I think about prioritising them and finding time in the schedule, I’ve decided to hold onto those ideas for 2024.  If the ideas remain shiny in another six weeks, I will certainly work out a way to pursue them.

When have you found yourself distracted by shiny objects or ideas?

04 / WHAT TO WATCH/LISTEN TO THIS WEEK
Learn to control your brain

What I’ve written about today comes back to mindset.
Strength of will.
Direction.

It was great timing for Ali Abdaal’s latest podcast to be released, in which he interviews Professor Steve Peters, a world-renowned psychologist dedicated to understanding how the human mind works.

If you KNOW how and why your mind goes certain places, you will have more control over its direction. The podcast/video is on the longer end at just under two hours - great for background watching or listening during transit.