When to go off the tracks

Exploring the strategy of deliberately derailing - The Do-It Newsletter #32

Hello everyone,

Deciding what you spend your time on is crucial to be effective. This means establishing habits and routines (which I call engines) that enforce intentional behavior and protect you from urgent and unimportant issues. I primarily write about these engines and systems that help keep you on track, but going off the track is also an effective technique on special occasions.

Let's explore the strategy of deliberately derailing and going off the tracks.

What it means to go off the tracks with your habits and routines.

Going off the tracks is the same as going into aggressive deadline-crunching mode. It means to forgo your usual routines that safeguard your time, energy, and attention. It means letting go of the structure and cadence of your everyday routines. For example, your exercise schedule, diet, scheduled social events, and perhaps even your work. It's always a short-term measure because your focus, energy, and time-management skills will plummet after a few weeks.

When it's suitable to go off the tracks

We are on track to ensure that our important life domains stay within a healthy range. We usually want our relationships, happiness, physical fitness, mental health, and personal development to be satisfied simultaneously. But, in exceptional circumstances, one significant initiative can take precedence over all others. That can occur when the value of accomplishing that one thing is worth forgoing nearly everything else in the short term. For example, if one essential business project needs to be delivered, if you're moving/renovating a house (that's why I've been MIA for a while), or in an unfortunate crisis that needs solving.

How to effectively go off the tracks

Mindset

Firstly, you must be clear on the costs of going off the tracks. It will mean that your other life domains (focus, happiness, tranquility, health) probably will suffer in the short term. You'll do some damage and also need some recovery afterward. However, this doesn't mean you have to feel guilty. By being aware that you're choosing to enforce this measure intentionally, you can feel more at peace with the choice.

Easing off

The best way to go is to cut off your routines gradually. E.g., firstly, get rid of the most time-consuming ones, such as social events, relaxing in front of the tv, and doing your weekly planning and maintenance work. Forgoing our exercise routines, diet, and meditation practice right away can do more damage than good since those routines largely contribute to our effectual output.

How to get on track again

You've depleted your focus, time-management skills, energy, and possibly even physical health by going off the tracks. It would be nearly impossible to immediately instantiate all the routines at your old level. The better strategy is to pick up your most essential routines first (the ones you let go of last). That means prioritizing returning to your workout routine and diet over catching up on your Netflix series. Because of your depleted resources, this is much easier said than done. You must fight the urge to fill your available time with leisure immediately. Remember that it's not a moment to let off entirely but rather a time for active and deliberate recovery.

Interesting finds of the past weeks:

📖 Read:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel - ShortForm guide

The Psychology of Money isn't a cringy “work hard, play hard” playbook. It elegantly describes the difference between being wealthy and fairly and portrays the role of luck and randomness in wealth creation.

🔗 Link to shortform → The world’s best book guides. You’ll receive 5 days of unlimited and unrestricted access and an additional 20% discount on the annual subscription.

📺 Watched:

Ricky Gervais - Humanity

Ricky combines comedy with a scientifically accurate worldview message. It's clever and truthful yet accessible and, most importantly, hilarious.

🔗 Link to Netflix

🌊 Re-surfaced:

The 5-acts book working document

I'm working on the 5 acts book again soon, and I, therefore, decided to review everything currently there. It's a public google doc where I welcome everyone to leave suggestions and comments on structure and content.

🔗 Link to the google doc

🤍 Appreciated:

Dreame Z10PRO Vacuum Robot

After a lot of research, I landed on the Dreame Z10 pro as the best value for money for a vacuum robot below 500 bucks. It's been amazing. Robot vacuum cleaners are genuinely at the point where they can fully automate your cleaning routine.

🔗 Link to buy the Z10

That’s a wrap

I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can leave a comment on Substack, send me a private message, or simply reply to this e-mail. See you next week!

, Edwin