When quitting is winning. I do not like to quit – anything. If I say I’m going to do something I’m determined and tenacious. Even when keeping on going hurts.

Recently I read Cal Newport’s inspiring book “Slow Productivity”. https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/ It’s brilliant. And although Cal does not use the phrase “when quitting is winning” he alludes to it. It gave me hope, that despite the slow progress I’m making on this vitality blog I can still get there. And there were moments of discomfort when reading the practical strategies on how to change your work routine from frenetic to productive and sustainable I would question if I had what it takes to put these changes into practice. Why? Because there are ingrained habits and routines that require energy, focus and determination to change.

Last month I travelled in far north Queensland, and discovered that while I might get A’s in health science I’d only get a D in Geography 101. I’d planned a winter escape, longing for some sunshine to recharge my personal solar batteries and alleviate the seasonal affective disorder that daily rain and grey skies impose.

Alas, in the rain forest it rains.The constant drizzle led to a practical lesson in quitting to win. Here’s an extract from my journal.

“We ‘quit’ 2 hikes today without completing them. That was a tough experience as I don’t identify as a ‘quitter’. We’d headed off clad in raincoats, insect repellent on to discourage the leaches, a picnic lunch in the backpack, determined that the rain wasn’t going to deter us. And it wasn’t getting wet from rain drops that did stop us. Instead, it was the water on the path. In the first instance (Windin Falls ) it made the path not only excessively muddy, it was extremely slippery. And signs warned against walking the trail in the rain. Later the same day we set out on the hike to Mt Baldy summit. Cheerfully setting off, despite the drizzle, we traversed some open area before beginning the climb. Less than a kilometer in Jeff became increasingly concerned, noting that although climbing up the slippery concrete path was challenging, descending it would be the problem. He sensibly suggested a trial descent before we hiked any further.  Sure enough I didn’t need to go more that 10 meters downhill to realise it was going to be an extremely slow, careful descent. Second hike for the day aborted.”

This was an excellent learning in quitting to win. Yes, it would have been amazing to see the spectacular Windin Falls, or the view from the summit of Mt Baldy, BUT sustaining a serious injury would have been a worse way to quit. I acknowledge that since fracturing my wrist I am more risk adverse than I used to be.

In fairness to the rain forest, they were spectacularly beautiful. Most of the lush green, red, white, yellow foliage, delicate maidenhair ferns, marvellous monstera plants and huge pandan palms I had only previously seen as carefully tended house plants. And here they were growing prolifically in nature. Plus the waterfalls were jaw dropping. I travelled in the rain forest region for a week and did find sufficient less treacherous hiking paths to get bone and muscle weary from hiking – a satisfying feeling.

Circling back to the principles of ‘slow productivity’ here’s a few questions for you and I to ponder:

• Which projects on your current list are you willing to give up? Or place in the ‘holding tank’.
• Which projects are providing the most fulfillment?
• Are the projects you are currently working on leading you closer to a better tomorrow?
• Which ones can you delegate?

If like me, you have workaholic tendencies I encourage you to read “Slow Productivity”. Take some slow deep breaths, relish a stroll in nature, and remember you are valued for who you are, not measured by what you do.

Wishing you vitality – at a sustainable pace,

Esyltt

PS A thank you to Paul Chieka https://www.paulcheika.com/blog/blog-post-title-four-peg3t whose blog post helped me overcome procrastination and get this out there.