SFH #195: A Story of Creativity and Structure
Lessons in staying healthy 💪
TL;DR: I work in tech now. AI is a big thing. I'm applying valuable lessons about creativity and structure to the evolving world of our health combined with technology. There are personal tidbits and a Chat GPT article on the structure topic below.
When I started this blog, I was tapping into a heavy dose of my creative expression matched with plenty of structure. As I thought about what I wanted to achieve coming back to this blog after some time had passed, I realized it would take a rekindling of both to adapt and grow as my healthy story evolved.Â
My healthy life in Miami has developed in many ways over the last two years. I started writing this blog while I was still in Portland, OR in March of 2021, and the idea of moving to South Florida was not even on my radar. I took inspiration from significant shifts at the moment: COVID, business going through CH11, and moving into a new co-parenting dynamic. I had ample time and opportunity to test and iterate my expression and structure.Â
The first wave of that shift carried me for a while as I continued to write through the move down to the Sunshine State and fairly regularly in the first few months of my time in this new city. With the fresh new geography came fresh seeds of growth. I landed a new job, both boys were in school full time for the first time, and I was generally starting a new life as a single working father here. As I found my new footing, I was steadily surprising myself. I took many new lessons and a few old ones to expand my health and live a fulfilled life as I rooted here. And I can honestly say I've landed in a place I'm pretty proud of. Did I make mistakes along the way? Of course. Do I still learn lessons the hard way? Welcome to life. Am I good with how I show up for myself and those around me? I am confident that life is consistently reflecting back to us how we feel and how we show up for ourselves and others. I won't dive into the woo-woo here, though I'll bookmark for a future date (speaking of which, I need to dig up some bookmarks and revisit topics).
Okay, that 👆 is my creative expression on display, which is me writing stream of consciousness, to set the stage for what comes next with structure—speaking of those old lessons I mentioned. The structure was on full display in the house I grew up. Perfect vacuumed lines. An immaculate stainless steel refrigerator door was free of little fingerprints. And a shower with not a spec of dust on the grout. Good, bad, and indeed OCD-level clean, this was fertile ground to teach me how an emphasis on structure, routine, consistency, and meticulous care can drive the bus for you!Â
And in full modern fashion, I'm embracing the evolution of structure and look forward to seeing what's possible when I combine it with my creative expression.
Just let me...Command + V:
(upfront, 👇 below through the conclusion was a Chat GPT blog prompt from me about structure)
Title: The Power of Structure: Unlocking Focus and Clarity to Achieve Goals
Introduction:
In our fast-paced and ever-changing world, it's easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of our goals. Whether striving for personal or professional success, maintaining focus and clarity is crucial. One effective way to achieve this is by embracing structure. By implementing a well-defined framework and organizing our time, tasks, and priorities, we can harness the power of structure to propel ourselves toward success. In this article, we will explore the importance of structure in staying focused and gaining clarity, and how it can help us achieve our goals.
1. Establishing Priorities:
Structure provides a clear roadmap to success by helping us identify and prioritize our goals. When we have a structured approach, we can break down our objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. This allows us to focus on what truly matters, eliminating distractions and ensuring that our efforts align with our overarching objectives.
2. Managing Time Effectively:
Time management is a critical aspect of achieving our goals, and structure plays a fundamental role in helping us make the most of our time. By creating schedules, setting deadlines, and allocating specific time slots for different tasks, we can optimize productivity and minimize wasted time. Structure enables us to allocate resources efficiently and dedicate focused attention to each task, enhancing our chances of success.
3. Enhancing Focus and Productivity:
Structure acts as a powerful catalyst for maintaining focus and increasing productivity. When we have a structured framework, we can create daily routines and rituals that promote discipline and prevent distractions. By eliminating the need for constant decision-making, structure reduces mental clutter, allowing us to channel our energy and attention towards the task at hand. This heightened focus leads to increased productivity and greater overall efficiency.
4. Providing Clarity and Direction:
Without structure, it's easy to feel lost or overwhelmed by the multitude of choices and possibilities. Structure helps bring clarity and direction to our goals, providing a clear path towards success. By outlining step-by-step processes and defining milestones, we gain a sense of purpose and a tangible framework to guide our actions. This clarity helps us stay motivated and committed, even in the face of challenges or setbacks.
5. Building Habits and Consistency:
Structure encourages the development of positive habits and consistent behaviors. By incorporating structure into our daily routines, we create a supportive environment that reinforces our goals. When we consistently follow a structured approach, it becomes easier to form productive habits, such as regular exercise, focused work sessions, or dedicated learning time. These habits become ingrained in our behavior, leading to long-term success.
Conclusion:
In a world filled with distractions and uncertainties, structure provides the much-needed anchor that helps us stay focused and gain clarity on our goals. By establishing priorities, managing time effectively, enhancing focus and productivity, providing clarity and direction, and building habits, structure becomes a powerful tool for achieving success. Embracing structure allows us to navigate the complexities of life with confidence, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with our aspirations. So, let's unlock the power of structure and pave our way to a future brimming with accomplishments.
Back to my creative expression to close this out. If you read this far, thank you very much. I don't plan on these too often in the future, but I occasionally enjoy a rousing (to myself clearly) word buffet of thoughts.
Honestly, my message about health here is that you can do some fantastic healthy things for yourself when you combine the power of structure with the incredible power of your creativity and expression!
PS. I'm not writing daily again. This is just inspiration in a bottle.
PPS. I am working on a new weekly, more structured offering format. Happy to hear any thoughts and feedback you have.