As a high achiever / ambitious person, I usually have multiple different streams of thought open at any given time. These separate streams of productivity not only block off my schedule, but also fill up my brain's context window. I call these open loops. On a random day, my open loops may include:
- Full-time internship work, part-time work, schoolwork, interview prep
- Investing, going to the gym, running, side projects, writing, keeping up with my family/close friends, etc.
This post highlights the repercussions of a stimulating lifestyle, and the #1 strategy I've relied on to be able to maintain productivity: closing my loops.
So, on first glance, this may not seem like such a busy day in the life, but striving for excellence in all of these separate aspects can take a toll on your brain's firing power. This can lead to overstimulation and, in turn, overthinking. This results in not being present in the current moment. Too many open loops == too much brainpower. Close your open loops, so that you can actually be present in, and enjoy, the current moment.
Here's how I do it
- Write things down AS SOON as they come to mind. Write anything that takes up space in your brain, not just the deep tasks. Even things like: responding to a message, applying to a job, etc. Use whatever you want; Apple Notes, Notion, a notebook.
- Now, close your loops. Everything in your brain's to-do list has been organized and written down. 70% of the work is done. A lot of these little tasks take up more brainpower to remember than to actually do. Start working away at them.
TL;DR
Try to be present in the moment. This will allow you to keep striving for excellence every day, without burning out, because you will actually enjoy the journey (I know it sounds cliché). So how do you be present in the moment? Close ur open loops!