On Restarting
How a one-week break became a six week hiatus, and how to "get back on the wagon"
Itās so long since my last post that I donāt even know where to start. What began as a one-week break while I figured out how to incorporate writing into my post-lockdown schedule became a six-week hiatus. I must say itās good to be writing again, and I have missed the opportunity for reflection that these weekly posts afforded me.
I also thank everyone who got in touch to ask why I stopped posting to the blog. Given my style and that the topics I cover generally donāt invite a lot of commentary, it was nice to have people reach out saying they found the content useful.
I have to answer the āwhere did you goā question though. Afterall, only a few months ago, I wrote about how consistency beats intensity. The key to writing consistently for all those weeks was having a fixed block of time dedicated to writing. Sunday morning was writing time. Because I started this during lockdown, with church services streamed online, I had flexibility to finish writing and then start the church service on-demand. As things re-opened, church also re-opened for physical services. It became more difficult to complete a post on Sunday morning and still make it to church on time. Finding a new āwriting timeā was not as easy as it sounds, given most other days were already spoken for. Iām now trying out a new timeslot and Iām hoping it works out well.
Lots have happened in the past few weeks that Iād ordinarily have written about. Russiaās misadventure in Ukraine and the Westās response to it. The ongoing fuel scarcity in Nigeria, which sounds like the longest-running one in my lifetime. Performance appraisal season at work and thoughts on doing good work. My ongoing work to develop a mental model for assessing new career opportunities. Our fifth wedding anniversary. But, oh well, I didnāt write. And today, Iād instead like to comment briefly on ārestartingā.
Like I have with these posts, weāve all stopped doing something we intended to continue at some point. Sometimes weāve set out with great intentions: to read every day, to exercise three times a week, to eat healthy. Then something happens ā we miss one day and it becomes twelve months. We stop reading. Our muscles lose their tone. The pot belly returns. These hiccups are very human. All the (auto)biographies Iāve read indicate the most successful people slip up on their habits too. Theyāre just better at getting back on track than everyone else.
So, what are my top two tips for restarting? First, schedule (or re-schedule) the habit into your life. If youāve read James Clearās Atomic Habits, this wonāt be new to you. This can either be by putting it on your calendar, for example ā Iāll read for 30 minutes every Saturday morning, or by tying it to an existing habit, for example ā Iāll read for 30 minutes while eating my Saturday morning croissant.
Second, start small. If youāve not been back in the gym for a year and plan to restart, itās not realistic to expect you can return at the same level of intensity. In fact, thinking about where you stopped can increase the inertia you feel to restart. Perhaps you want to restart reading by going for just ten minutes without reaching for your phone. Start small and build up towards your desired intensity levels.
Iām starting small too ā so thatās it! See you again next week. š
What Iām Currently Reading: The best book Iāve read recently is The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. The first thing Iād like to say is Mr. Towles worked in investment banking until he published his first novel at 48. FOURTY EIGHT. Who said anything about it being too late to thrive in a second career? Guys ā the Lincoln Highway is good. Iāve-got-to-buy-this-in-hard-copy-so-one-day-my-kids-can-discover-it-in-my-bookshelf-like-I-discovered-books-in-my-dads-bookshelf-good. His use of English is so beautiful ā he strings words together in a way that makes my heart dance. Unfortunately, books can be very personal and I cannot guarantee that youāll feel the same way about it ā but if you read one novel this year, it should be The Lincoln Highway.
Thereās also lots of warmth and wisdom in the book, like this gem, addressed to a character who unintentionally killed someone in a fight:
As a civilized society, we ask that even those who have had an unintended hand in the misfortune of others pay some retribution. Of course, the payment of the retribution is in part to satisfy those who've suffered the brunt of the misfortune--like this boy's family. But we also require that it be paid for the benefit of the young man who was the agent of misfortune. So that by having the opportunity to pay his debt, he too can find some solace, some sense of atonement, and thus begin the process of renewal.
What Iām Currently Listening To: Iām currently teaching myself to DJ, because I have this weird notion that it would be nice to mash up Hillsong Worshipās I Surrender, which I have had on repeat for several weeks, with Natalie Taylorās Surrender. Of course, this is a really weird notion. The songs are very different and mean very different things. Iād still like to see what they sound like next to each other. If it sounds good, maybe Iāll share it with you? Maybe not.
Have a nice week! ā¤ļø
Nice to have you back. Kudos to you as you restart and Happy Wedding Anniversary.