I feel like this is especially challenging in today’s society because there is so much information out there. It seems like no matter what you are looking to do, there are now an endless amount of coaches, courses, etc out there. It’s easy to get down a rabbit hole & spend way too much time (& sometimes money) “learning.” Then suddenly you realize…am I still researching here, or am I avoiding the action part out of fear, laziness, or some other emotion?
I actually think about this a lot as someone who puts out information.
I try to distill, to the best of my ability, what seems to work for most people most of the time and makes sense based on research. I tend to default to simple, high-impact info and stay out of the rabbit holes (I think rabbit holes just suck up a lot of time and energy in the context of a busy life).
But it's all definitely a challenge.
I do agree sometimes planning becomes a form of "active procrastination." :)
Reminds me of a few sayings: Perfect is the enemy of good; everybody has a plan until they are punched in the face; and, you are only as good as your training.
Michael, this is spectacular and I am a long time supporter so that isn't idle praise. When I work with companies on taking their referral marketing from passive/surprise referrals to strategic/predictable ones...they always get bogged down with trying to be perfect and having an 'ideal script' (or kata to use your example today). Instead, I tell them to take action based upon who and what they are/believe. Sounds like 'do something'. Thanks for all do.
Great observation! Scripts seem like a lot of plans: Directionally correct and great in a vacuum, but life isn't a vacuum. So think of the script as a loose set of directions (the training) and be willing to pivot.
As the saying goes, in a crisis we rarely rise to the level of perfection instead we fall back on our training. So, "As Bill wrote, 'Train hard and know your stuff'"!
YES. I’ve been training krav maga for the last several months. The one core thing is always move forward. Just act. It almost seems counterintuitive but it works. Going with your guy is usually a solid strategy.
Random question: Have you ever put together a 2% "Strong Enough" exercise master list? I know this is unrelated to today's writing (which was great, thank you!), but I keep reflecting on the "strong enough" standards for various exercises/movements (like the two-minute plank, double bodyweight back squats, etc.) we have talked about a few times and I can never remember them all and I feel like I'm forgetting some. I also feel like a few have been randomly added to the list.
A goal of mine this year was to hit all of the strong enough standards, but I'd love to see some sort of official checklist you put together.
Once again, random, but would love to see if you have anything on this already!
Should add that I'm also willing to try and put a checklist together if you don't have the time to create one! Wanted to ask before I put the time into it though!
Also, did that 16-Week Don't Die Fitness planner ever come into fruition? I think you said it would be available sometime around Mid-January but I might have missed it.
I have the program, but just need to put it all together. I'm working on another project that is taking all of my time, but I hope to have to program out over the summer. Thanks for your interest!
Any discussion on decision making and over analysis makes me think of a telling study conducted in the 1970's by Paul Slovic. He measured success rates of horse betters at varying levels of informational load as well as their confidence in their predictions. More information did not lead to better decisions, but caused a massive deviation between confidence and actual outcomes.
The takeaway I have had since being exposed to that study - don't fool yourself and just do something!
If you really want to go down the rabbit hole on decision making I would recommend the book ‘How to Decide’ by Annie Duke. She lays out a really useful framework for decision making.
The best part of “do something” are the micro moments. Case in point: this week’s schedule got upended a bit with the day off and change in schedules. So naturally I started overthinking my planned workouts to accommodate the shifts. But I kept trying to find the “right time” until I decided f&ck it and got busy get something done.
This brings to mind a quote from Jocko (at least I think it was Jocko...): "Good decision, bad decision, just make a decision." Frequent self-reflection helps to correct non-optimal decisions over the long-term. And a good reminder that we don't rise to the occasion - we fall back onto our level of training.
Love today's post! Perfection does exist, so any attempt to reach it will ultimately end in failure. The best we can do in a challenging situation is aim for the "more better" or (if you know your own strengths and weaknesses) just beyond what you thought you could achieve. That way, even if the end result isn't exactly what you hoped for, it won't be for a lack of trying.
Michael, I’m new to your stuff but am trying to take it all in. Tons of great info. I even bought subscriptions for two of my boys. I live in Vegas too. And also do some part-time teaching at UNLV. Anyway, my question relates to your sponsorship with Function Health. I’ve long wanted to look into this type of analysis. Is there a doc or a practice in Vegas that you’d recommend that works well with the testing and data w Health provides?
I feel like this is especially challenging in today’s society because there is so much information out there. It seems like no matter what you are looking to do, there are now an endless amount of coaches, courses, etc out there. It’s easy to get down a rabbit hole & spend way too much time (& sometimes money) “learning.” Then suddenly you realize…am I still researching here, or am I avoiding the action part out of fear, laziness, or some other emotion?
I actually think about this a lot as someone who puts out information.
I try to distill, to the best of my ability, what seems to work for most people most of the time and makes sense based on research. I tend to default to simple, high-impact info and stay out of the rabbit holes (I think rabbit holes just suck up a lot of time and energy in the context of a busy life).
But it's all definitely a challenge.
I do agree sometimes planning becomes a form of "active procrastination." :)
I'm so guilty of this
Reminds me of a few sayings: Perfect is the enemy of good; everybody has a plan until they are punched in the face; and, you are only as good as your training.
Michael, this is spectacular and I am a long time supporter so that isn't idle praise. When I work with companies on taking their referral marketing from passive/surprise referrals to strategic/predictable ones...they always get bogged down with trying to be perfect and having an 'ideal script' (or kata to use your example today). Instead, I tell them to take action based upon who and what they are/believe. Sounds like 'do something'. Thanks for all do.
Great observation! Scripts seem like a lot of plans: Directionally correct and great in a vacuum, but life isn't a vacuum. So think of the script as a loose set of directions (the training) and be willing to pivot.
As the saying goes, in a crisis we rarely rise to the level of perfection instead we fall back on our training. So, "As Bill wrote, 'Train hard and know your stuff'"!
YES. I’ve been training krav maga for the last several months. The one core thing is always move forward. Just act. It almost seems counterintuitive but it works. Going with your guy is usually a solid strategy.
Random question: Have you ever put together a 2% "Strong Enough" exercise master list? I know this is unrelated to today's writing (which was great, thank you!), but I keep reflecting on the "strong enough" standards for various exercises/movements (like the two-minute plank, double bodyweight back squats, etc.) we have talked about a few times and I can never remember them all and I feel like I'm forgetting some. I also feel like a few have been randomly added to the list.
A goal of mine this year was to hit all of the strong enough standards, but I'd love to see some sort of official checklist you put together.
Once again, random, but would love to see if you have anything on this already!
Should add that I'm also willing to try and put a checklist together if you don't have the time to create one! Wanted to ask before I put the time into it though!
Also, did that 16-Week Don't Die Fitness planner ever come into fruition? I think you said it would be available sometime around Mid-January but I might have missed it.
I have the program, but just need to put it all together. I'm working on another project that is taking all of my time, but I hope to have to program out over the summer. Thanks for your interest!
No worries! I know you're a busy guy. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss it!
Any discussion on decision making and over analysis makes me think of a telling study conducted in the 1970's by Paul Slovic. He measured success rates of horse betters at varying levels of informational load as well as their confidence in their predictions. More information did not lead to better decisions, but caused a massive deviation between confidence and actual outcomes.
The takeaway I have had since being exposed to that study - don't fool yourself and just do something!
Thanks for sharing!
If you really want to go down the rabbit hole on decision making I would recommend the book ‘How to Decide’ by Annie Duke. She lays out a really useful framework for decision making.
Agency and flexibility. Two choices that prevent unnecessary misery and combined to optimize outcomes. Powerful post as always!
My "Do something" has been a song verse from Rodney Atkins.
"If you're going through hell keep on going
Don't slow down if you're scared don't show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there."
This is literally my everyday at work 😂
The best part of “do something” are the micro moments. Case in point: this week’s schedule got upended a bit with the day off and change in schedules. So naturally I started overthinking my planned workouts to accommodate the shifts. But I kept trying to find the “right time” until I decided f&ck it and got busy get something done.
Fantastic post!! Love this!!
This brings to mind a quote from Jocko (at least I think it was Jocko...): "Good decision, bad decision, just make a decision." Frequent self-reflection helps to correct non-optimal decisions over the long-term. And a good reminder that we don't rise to the occasion - we fall back onto our level of training.
Love today's post! Perfection does exist, so any attempt to reach it will ultimately end in failure. The best we can do in a challenging situation is aim for the "more better" or (if you know your own strengths and weaknesses) just beyond what you thought you could achieve. That way, even if the end result isn't exactly what you hoped for, it won't be for a lack of trying.
Michael, I’m new to your stuff but am trying to take it all in. Tons of great info. I even bought subscriptions for two of my boys. I live in Vegas too. And also do some part-time teaching at UNLV. Anyway, my question relates to your sponsorship with Function Health. I’ve long wanted to look into this type of analysis. Is there a doc or a practice in Vegas that you’d recommend that works well with the testing and data w Health provides?