Productive choices that high performers make [#13]

I just returned from my first trip to Jamaica!

Thanks to my partner's family there, it was an incredible journey.

We had the chance to explore various parts of this beautiful island, including Kingston, Negril, and Montego Bay.

🇯🇲 Brief:

• Favourite place: Negril’s Seven Mile Beach 🏝️

• Favourite food: Anything Ital cuisine 🥑

• Favourite drink: Blue Mountain coffee ☕️

I am grateful for these experiences.

Have you been to Jamaica?

***

Today we are talking about the choices we make as high performers.

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Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed last week

• In issue #12 of The Productivist, I shared a sleep mastery checklist for high performers, as sleep is the foundation of your productivity.

• You learned 6 levels of improving the quality of your sleep starting from regularity and all the way to biohacking.

• I also shared how you should utilize light, temperature, food, caffeine, and exercise to optimize your morning and evening routines for the most productive sleep.

To access the full issue, click here.

Big idea #1: Improving > Impressing

When you make decisions in your career, are you focused on improving yourself or impressing others?

Improving:

• developing new skills

• taking on more responsibility

• making personal development a way of life

Impressing:

• climbing the corporate ladder at the firm you hate

• getting bottle service at the nightclub when you don’t even like dancing

• overthinking the opinions of others

Improving your skills > Impressing others with a nice watch

Improving your business product > Impressing with your fancy website and business cards

Improving your leadership skill > Impressing with your executive role

Big idea #2: Adapting > Complaining

When faced with a challenge, do you embrace it as an opportunity for growth or let it become a source of complaint?

In the last year, the use of AI has unquestionably become a common and essential part of our lives.

How many people are still resisting this change and complaining about it?

As a dedicated high performer, I'm confident you've not only embraced AI but also harnessed its power for your own benefit.

You've chosen to adapt!

And if you're eager to dive deeper into AI-powered productivity, check out The Productivist issue #8.

Human beings often have a love-hate relationship with change, yet they possess remarkable adaptability.

Make a productive choice.

Big idea #3: Taking ownership > Blaming others

It’s not your boss, news, or [fill in the gap] that makes you miserable.

You are responsible. Take ownership of your feelings.

Let me be clear, negative emotions come up, it is a part of life.

But the meaning you give to those negative emotions is what creates a long-lasting feeling that you carry around and spill on to others.

Emotion + Meaning = Feeling

You can’t control the emotions that arrive.

You can and should control the meaning you give to them.

Next time your emotions get out of hand, are you going to blame others or take ownership of your reaction?

Big idea #4: Approaching > Avoiding

Let's discuss conflicts.

When someone close to you behaves inappropriately, how quickly do you address the issue directly? Or do you avoid it altogether?

Don't be an ostrich. Don't bury your head in the sand. 😉

When you hear an insensitive comment directed at a colleague, do you approach the person responsible, or do you avoid the situation?

When a friend initiates a conversation about ongoing conflicts and wars, do you engage and listen, or do you steer clear of the topic?

As someone with a deeply optimistic outlook, this last example partially serves as a personal reflection.

I've committed to maintaining a rare positive and enthusiastic approach to social media, given its abundance of negativity and false dichotomies.

Is it the right thing to do? I don’t know.

Do I not feel like arguing with strangers about politics? Absolutely.

However, when the topic arises during discussions with family and friends, I listen.

And if I've formed an opinion, I share it.

Let's also normalize the idea of changing one's viewpoint when presented with new information.

The next time you encounter an opportunity for a challenging conversation, will you avoid it or approach it?

Big idea #5: Building up > Beating down

Last but not least, your hard past…

Did it beat you down? Or did it build you up?

Many individuals blame:

• their upbringing,

• their place of origin,

• troubled relationships, and

• every aspect of their past for their current situation.

High performers, on the other hand, perceive their past quite differently.

They view their difficult past as a valuable collection of lessons.

They see it as essential building blocks that have shaped their present reality.

They are grateful for every part of it.

So, let's take a look at your current hardship.

Will you let it beat you down? Or will you let it build you up?

Tiny Habit: Quit revenge bedtime procrastination

What is revenge bedtime procrastination?

Albeit funny and relatable, this is a habit you should quit.

Especially because last week you learnt the importance of sleep on your productivity, health, and wellness. (If you haven’t, here it is).

Regain the freedom of your day by opting for a morning routine instead.

Options:

• Do 20 minutes of exercise.

• Scribble in your journal.

• Go for a brisk walk.

• Read a book.

• Meditate.

• Etc.

Sleep > Revenge

The Productivist Question

Today, I want to share Joe Rogan's Razor, based on the best life advice he ever received:

The question:

What would you do right now if a documentary crew were following you around?

Today’s newsletter is all about choices, and this is a great question to ask yourself when you are making a decision, especially an ethical one.

Until next week!

Valeriya

PS: I’d love to hear from you, how do you find this newsletter?
Please reply to this email or DM me on LinkedIn.

Two more ways I can help you:

1. Download your free copy of Success Secrets if you haven’t already.

2. If you want to work 1:1 with me on becoming a high performer in everything that you do, you can book your first session here.