Days stolen through indecision
I struggle with the late summer nights and extended daylight hours.
The extra light beyond the normal working day pressures me into getting out and making the most of the extra time – after all, the summer solstice of June 20th has already been and gone and days are already getting shorter.
I’m often happier when the weather is bad. The decision to go out and exercise or walk or whatever is taken out of my hands. But when the sun shines, my problems start.
I think having a ‘you only live once’ attitude doesn’t help — feeling like life is ticking away quicker than it actually is. Not a bad notion to keep a focus on, but it can get in the way of simply relaxing and doing nothing which is essential from time to time.
When this pressure to use the day presents itself, a mixture of irritation and demotivation arises from complete indecision. 10am becomes 2pm. Discussions turn to what’s for tea. The evening arrives in no time.
So make a decision quick.
Should I go sailing?
I’m a big fan of the sea and moved to the coast specifically to devote my life to sea related activities – and yet there are so many factors that dictate whether to go to sea, that it only takes the slightest of excuses to back out — and probably do nothing.
What is the wind forecast? Is the swell due to increase or decrease? Are the tides in favour of where I want to go? Often I need just one reason not to go – but, when I do go, the enjoyment and exhilaration is always beyond expectation.
I get a great sense of satisfaction at the end of the day, sat on the sofa with a sun kissed, tight face and aching muscles — often still swaying. This should be enough to make the next opportunity to go sailing a foregone simple decision — but the process resets and the cycle of indecision starts over.
The problem? Inertia.
The same problem that applies to so many decisions in life – particularly those related to activity and exercise, but also a lot of productivity and procrastination related issues.
‘I should run more’ – Just put the trainers on and walk down the road.
‘I should cycle more’ – put the bike out where it is easy to hop on and just go.
‘Sitting on the sofa watching this trash ain’t doing anything for my fitness’ — Just walk out the door and see where you end up
It is sometimes useful to put yourself in someone else's shoes — particularly someone you admire. Maybe a famous runner or athlete. (One of mine is Jocko Willink. He’s often one of the voices in my head! Ex military, supremely disciplined — a giant of a man — very inspiring Podcasts.)
What would they do? They wouldn’t faff around, they’d put their trainers on, suck it up and get out there — come rain, snow or sunshine.
We’ve all heard the phrases about starting small, baby steps, etc — but it works. Break any task or chore down into component parts and the whole becomes easier. Don’t think of all 5 of those arduous kilometres, just think of getting out and putting one foot in front of another.
Some of my longest runs started out with the intention that I would ‘just run round the block, see how it feels’. Sometimes 7–8k later I'm back on the doorstep, feeling fulfilled and glad that I made that first step.
So next time the weather and sea looks reasonable? I’ll jump on that boat and unhook the mooring – I’ll have to sail and who knows where the wind might take me.
The same applies to many life decisions. Force your way over that initial inertia and face the issue head on – who knows where you will end up and what opportunities may arise along the way.
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