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Matt Hogan's Blog Posts

Sacrificing Sleep To Gain Time

Published on January 4, 2022

Sacrificing sleep to “gain” time usually ends up in more time lost than is ever gained.

Sure, you might bank an extra hour when you get 7 hours of sleep instead of 8, but what isn’t considered as readily is the time lost when trying to make up for the side-effects of sleep deprivation.

When you add up all of the time spent taking excessive (caffeine) breaks, complaining about being tired (both to others and in your own head), and trying to chop down the tree of your work with a dull axe—the mismatch can be quite eye-opening.

When asked what time she wakes up every morning, founder of The Marginalian (formerly Brain Pickings) and absolute legend in the writing world, Maria Popova said “Exactly 8 hours after I went to bed.”

She went on to explain that the sloth and mental cloudiness that comes from suboptimal sleep simply can’t be made up during the day in caffeine or whatever else. The bottom line for her is that she always produces higher quality work in a more efficient time when she gets proper rest.

…It’s the adding of time to sleep that can actually result in more time saved in the end.

While this isn’t exactly breaking news, here’s my reality: I’ve been trying to bank an extra hour or two by sleeping for 6 or 7 hours instead of 8 for years. And to no avail.

My body almost always forces me to stay in bed for 8. It’s stubborn as hell. Or maybe, I’m the one who is stubborn as hell and am finally starting to hear my body.

Lost At Sea

Published on January 3, 2022

If your ability to create (or do) is dependent on your need for inspiration, you’ll never fulfill your potential—especially not in today’s world.

Here’s why: distraction is the enemy of inspiration.

And if I had to pick just one word to describe the modern age we’re living in, I’d probably choose: “Distracted.”

Prior to the information explosion that came with the internet, modern gadgets, and social media—”waiting around” for inspiration was actually probably a great strategy.

Because here’s what I know about inspiration: it comes when I’m undistracted. It’s when I’m showering, staring at blank screens, meditating, walking my dog, driving, and/or sitting bored.

And “waiting around” prior to the information age probably consisted mostly of the things on that list. Today, however, “waiting around” consists mostly of… consuming distractions.

It never ceases to amaze me how quick I am to pull out my phone when I sit down in a public place alone—like when I’m waiting for my dinner party to arrive or when I’m waiting at the doctor’s office. The urge is almost unbearable.

And not just for me, but for the other phone-scrollers in the room. Or so it feels.

We’re addicted.

And because we’re addicted to distraction, we’re equally in conflict with inspiration.

This isn’t to say that we won’t get inspiration from the ocean of information that we consume—because we certainly may.

It is to say, however, that it isn’t being properly utilized. We need to do a better job of coming out of the ocean to regroup, reorganize, and reflect upon our findings.

Otherwise, we’ll continue flapping around, following treasure signs, and getting more and more lost at sea.

And So A Seed Sprouts…

Published on January 2, 2022

Remember as you PLOW into the first week of 2022: The beginning of all things is weak and tender.

Treat your tasks (and self) with care.

Too aggressive and you’ll kill your baby plants (habits). I learned this through experience.

Too passive and they’ll wilt and die from neglect.

You have to goldilocks the shit out of your tasks (and self) for the next few weeks.

Carry a tender awareness with a loving heart and you’ll do just fine.

…You little plant grower you.

Today Marks 2 Years

Published on January 1, 2022

That means I’ve been writing daily for around 730 days.

Damn.

Here’s the thing: 730 days ago my daily writing streak was zero.

And there were plenty of people who had streaks much larger than 730.

Had I compared my 0 to their 1,095 or 1,825 or 3,650—I probably wouldn’t have started.

And what a damn shame that would’ve been.

I’m proud of 730 and feel like daily writing has been one of the best habits I have ever built into my life.

And I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

What’s the trick?

Don’t compare your 0 to my or anybody else’s number.

Just write today.

Then, just write again today—when tomorrow comes.

And learn how to enjoy the act of daily writing (or whatever else it is you might be committing to).

Because if you don’t enjoy doing it—I can almost guarantee you won’t make it 730. Or any other big number.

This doesn’t mean it has to be fun, per se.

Because writing is damn hard.

And draining.

And frustrating.

And nerve-wracking.

And frustrating.

And draining.

And hard.

…But, it’s meaningful. And that’s where the real enjoyment comes from.

If you only ever do what’s fun or pleasurable, it’s very likely that you’ll miss out on meaning.

Because meaning comes from doing what’s hard. And when you do what’s hard (and meaningful to you) every day…?!

The long-term result is an ever-growing mountain of meaning.

My advice?

Don’t do it for any other reason that to make your future self proud.

And start today.

What Now?

Published on January 1, 2022

Always have something planned that you can look forward to.

It’ll act as a magnet that will pull you excitedly forward through your days.

Without it, the days will feel like all push.

The Make-It Or Break-It Point For Goal Achievement

Published on December 30, 2021

Most people plan their goals with their best self in mind—the self that is well rested, in a good state, on-time, and excited.

This is a mistake.

Goals should be planned with our worst self in mind—the self that is tired, in a bad state of mind, late, and unmotivated.

Because it is in these moments—when we are feeling our worst—that we decide the fate of our goals.

If this “worst self” version catches you off guard, and you weren’t prepared for life’s curveballs—failure is almost inevitable.

Because if there are no other guarantees in life, I know this one to be true for sure: life will never unfold perfectly. There will be curveballs galore, obstacles like mad, and times when—for no apparent reason—you’re just not feeling like doing what you know you need to do.

Be ready for those days.

Have backup plans, a flexible mindset, and reliable systems in place.

But, above all, make sure you are doing what you are doing for the right reasons—strong, intrinsically motivated, deeply felt reasons.

Because the stronger the why—the easier it will be for you to continue forward despite the frustrations that are thrown your way. And the weaker the why—the harder it will be.

Don’t fool yourself—frustrations will be thrown at you.

The only question is… will you be ready?

Inspired by Jessica via Twitter. Thank you.