Someday Is Today

1. Time is your most precious resource: Maximize every minute

"Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand, small, uncaring ways."

Value your time. Recognize that every minute counts and can be used productively. Eliminate time-wasting activities and focus on tasks that align with your goals. Develop strategies to recapture time in small increments throughout your day.

Efficiency is key. Streamline your routines and minimize decision-making on trivial matters. Adopt a mindset of continuous improvement in how you manage your time. Be willing to break societal norms and expectations if they don't serve your productivity goals.

• Utilize "dead time" (waiting in line, commuting) for productive tasks
• Minimize time spent on routine activities (shopping, grooming)
• Question and optimize your commute, living situation, and daily habits

2. Treat sleep as sacred to boost productivity and creativity

"Sleep is necessary. It's a vital part of a healthy lifestyle and critical to functioning properly both physically and mentally."

Optimize your sleep. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends and vacations. Create an environment conducive to quality sleep, including a cool room temperature and minimal light exposure.

Efficiency in rest. While recognizing the importance of sleep, aim to maximize its efficiency. Develop strategies to fall asleep quickly and wake up naturally without an alarm. Consider experimenting with sleep duration to find your optimal balance between rest and productivity.

• Establish a bedtime routine to signal your body it's time to sleep
• Use white noise or other consistent sounds to mask disturbances
• Avoid screens and stimulating activities before bed
• Practice relaxation techniques to quiet your mind

3. Embrace the "eagle" mindset: Focus on what truly matters

"Eagles understand when fashion is relevant and when it is not."

Big picture thinking. Adopt the perspective of an eagle soaring above, seeing the larger context and prioritizing accordingly. Avoid getting bogged down in trivial details that don't significantly impact your goals or overall well-being.

Strategic detachment. Learn to let go of perfection in areas that don't require it. Cultivate the ability to distinguish between tasks that deserve your full attention and those that can be completed with less precision or effort.

• Regularly ask yourself: "Will this matter in a week, month, or year?"
• Avoid over-investing time in tasks with diminishing returns
• Practice saying "no" to commitments that don't align with your priorities

4. Say "yes" to new opportunities and experiences

"Everything in the world began with a yes. One molecule said yes to another molecule and life was born."

Embrace novelty. Be open to new experiences and opportunities, even if they seem outside your comfort zone or current skillset. Recognize that unexpected paths often lead to the most significant growth and success.

Create possibility trees. Understand that saying "yes" to one opportunity often opens doors to many others. Cultivate a mindset of curiosity and willingness to explore uncharted territories in your personal and professional life.

• Challenge yourself to say "yes" to things you'd normally decline
• View each new experience as a potential catalyst for growth
• Reflect on past instances where saying "yes" led to unexpected positive outcomes

5. Find your support system and hold yourself accountable

"There is never a good excuse for not having readers."

Build your team. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in your goals and can offer constructive feedback. Seek out mentors, peers, and accountability partners who will challenge you to grow and persist through difficulties.

Create accountability structures. Develop systems to track your progress and hold yourself responsible for your commitments. Share your goals publicly and regularly update others on your progress to increase motivation and follow-through.

• Join or create a mastermind group in your field
• Use social media or a blog to document your journey and connect with supporters
• Set specific, measurable goals with deadlines and share them with your network

6. Cultivate relentless optimism in the face of challenges

"Pessimists die knowing only that they were correct. Optimists thrive."

Choose optimism. Recognize that maintaining a positive outlook, even in difficult circumstances, can lead to better outcomes and a more enjoyable journey. Train yourself to see opportunities in challenges and to believe in your ability to overcome obstacles.

Practice resilience. Develop strategies to bounce back from setbacks and maintain your optimism in the face of adversity. Use visualization and positive self-talk to reinforce your belief in eventual success.

• Start each day by listing three things you're grateful for
• Reframe negative situations by asking "What can I learn from this?"
• Surround yourself with positive influences (people, media, environments)

7. Consume diverse content to fuel creativity and innovation

"If you don't have time to learn something new, you don't have time to make something new."

Be a content omnivore. Actively seek out diverse sources of information and inspiration across various fields and mediums. Recognize that creativity often stems from unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated ideas.

Create a learning habit. Dedicate time each day to consuming new information, whether through reading, listening to podcasts, or engaging in conversations with people outside your usual circles. Cultivate curiosity about topics beyond your immediate area of expertise.

• Set aside time each week for "random" learning (e.g., Wikipedia rabbit holes)
• Attend lectures or events on topics outside your field
• Regularly rotate your media diet (books, podcasts, magazines) to expose yourself to new ideas

8. Be kind, grateful, and avoid being an asshole

"Listen, the one thing that I want you to remember is to not be an asshole."

Cultivate kindness. Recognize that being kind and considerate to others not only makes the world a better place but can also open doors and create opportunities for you. Practice empathy and gratitude in your interactions with others.

Professional courtesy. Understand that maintaining positive relationships and a good reputation is crucial for long-term success in any field. Avoid burning bridges or alienating potential allies through thoughtless or selfish behavior.

• Make a habit of expressing genuine appreciation to those who help you
• When faced with a difficult situation, ask yourself "What would a kind person do?"
• Regularly reflect on how your actions impact others and adjust accordingly

9. Celebrate milestones and acknowledge your progress

"Even if I'm falling on my ass or landing on my face, at least I'm failing while trying."

Recognize achievements. Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Understand that recognizing progress fuels motivation and resilience for future challenges.

Create rituals. Develop personal or shared rituals to mark important milestones in your creative journey. Use these moments of celebration to reflect on your growth and reaffirm your commitment to your goals.

• Keep a "wins" journal to record daily or weekly accomplishments
• Plan specific rewards for reaching key milestones
• Share your successes with your support network to amplify the positive impact

10. Make terrible things, learn from failures, and keep moving forward

"Creation is hard. It is messy and ugly and fraught with struggle and failure."

Embrace imperfection. Recognize that creating something new inherently involves making mistakes and producing less-than-ideal results. Give yourself permission to make "terrible things" as part of the learning and growth process.

Fail forward. View failures and setbacks as valuable learning experiences rather than reasons to give up. Develop a habit of analyzing your failures to extract lessons and improve your future efforts.

• Set "failure goals" (e.g., aim for a certain number of rejections)
• Share your "terrible" creations with trusted friends for feedback and support
• Keep an "iteration log" to track how your work improves over time

Last updated: July 29, 2024