"So, how do we recognize and resolve it?" That, sir, is the key. I don't know if this will help somebody but here goes.
Recognition. We all struggle with recognition. Most of us do not possess the ability or have cultivated it or have matured enough to recognize the warning signs. I know I seriously lacked it in my younger years. Mostly I didn't trust my inner voice. My intuition. Or didn't listen to it. It does require a serious self-awareness, introspection and brutal honesty. Those things are really hard won. It takes years of working at it. And even if one is self-aware, it still takes experience, i.e. the passage of time, to notice patterns. I've wasted many hours, days and weeks in a full-on funk. I have learned to do something called a "now for something completely different" moment, courtesy of Monty Python. I make a list of things I am interested in or places to go or what have you, write them out individually on index cards and put them in a small container. I use a little basket. About every 7-8 weeks, I will reach in and pull out one and then go do it.
My most recent one is that I started Gracie Jiu Jitsu last week. Now, I'm 62, and although I can tote a 50-pound bag of feed a hundred feet or so, I am not in shape, and it shows. But I let any expectations or measurements of my performance completely go. I am just having some fun, learning something new and focusing my attention on something other than the world or myself.
Sometimes it backfires on me. It turns out poorly. Then I just give myself a week to read or walk more. I usually end up more clear headed. But the old saying about a body motion... is very true. Sometimes I'll pull up Jocko or Peterson or Cliffe Knetchle and it works for me. Over the years, I've learned professional cake decorating, rock climbing, canning, poultry care, chainsaw use etc. All of those skills are useful. And one of those things we are still doing... we spend a day with our firearm coach and let him surprise us. Looking forward to seeing him this Saturday. But recognizing you are in a slump; you are bored, can be a very big challenge. What works for me is to plan for it. Maybe it will work for some of you all.
Great post Mr. Eric!!! And like one of my fav guys always says, "Embrace the suck"!!
This is really great feedback. I know I struggle with recognition of the situation, not realizing I've hit snooze 3 days in a row now, for example. Doing something new is a good way to break the burnout/motivation cycle.
Days have a way of getting away from you for sure. Sometimes there is a a undefinable... thing about repetition. It can carry you through grueling times but then if you're not careful it leaves you dull.
"So, how do we recognize and resolve it?" That, sir, is the key. I don't know if this will help somebody but here goes.
Recognition. We all struggle with recognition. Most of us do not possess the ability or have cultivated it or have matured enough to recognize the warning signs. I know I seriously lacked it in my younger years. Mostly I didn't trust my inner voice. My intuition. Or didn't listen to it. It does require a serious self-awareness, introspection and brutal honesty. Those things are really hard won. It takes years of working at it. And even if one is self-aware, it still takes experience, i.e. the passage of time, to notice patterns. I've wasted many hours, days and weeks in a full-on funk. I have learned to do something called a "now for something completely different" moment, courtesy of Monty Python. I make a list of things I am interested in or places to go or what have you, write them out individually on index cards and put them in a small container. I use a little basket. About every 7-8 weeks, I will reach in and pull out one and then go do it.
My most recent one is that I started Gracie Jiu Jitsu last week. Now, I'm 62, and although I can tote a 50-pound bag of feed a hundred feet or so, I am not in shape, and it shows. But I let any expectations or measurements of my performance completely go. I am just having some fun, learning something new and focusing my attention on something other than the world or myself.
Sometimes it backfires on me. It turns out poorly. Then I just give myself a week to read or walk more. I usually end up more clear headed. But the old saying about a body motion... is very true. Sometimes I'll pull up Jocko or Peterson or Cliffe Knetchle and it works for me. Over the years, I've learned professional cake decorating, rock climbing, canning, poultry care, chainsaw use etc. All of those skills are useful. And one of those things we are still doing... we spend a day with our firearm coach and let him surprise us. Looking forward to seeing him this Saturday. But recognizing you are in a slump; you are bored, can be a very big challenge. What works for me is to plan for it. Maybe it will work for some of you all.
Great post Mr. Eric!!! And like one of my fav guys always says, "Embrace the suck"!!
This is really great feedback. I know I struggle with recognition of the situation, not realizing I've hit snooze 3 days in a row now, for example. Doing something new is a good way to break the burnout/motivation cycle.
Days have a way of getting away from you for sure. Sometimes there is a a undefinable... thing about repetition. It can carry you through grueling times but then if you're not careful it leaves you dull.