The Small Things

disjointed productivity hacks for when you don’t have time or are recovering from burn out

I felt I was running out of time. It was a combination of several different things:

• Setting ambitious goals I couldn’t reach without making space for them

• having several agents and publishers write to me, indicating interest in my work, and not knowing what to do with that information

• not knowing when to say no to financial or portfolio-lucrative projects

I wanted to do it all, and I had the opportunity to, but without intentionally carving out the space to create, and making appropriate sacrifices, there was only so much I could do. How unfortunate. I hit the ground running this year by reading Atomic Habits by James Clear and having big ideas about how tiny changes could help achieve remarkable results. Life happens. I’ve learned. It’s not just about setting goals, creating a fancy vision board and reading a book. That’s not where it ends. Execution is where It begins.

Here’s a passage from one of my current reads:

Every time I read a management or self-help book. I find myself saying, “That's fine, but that wasn't really the hard thing about the situation.” The hard thing isn't setting a big, hairy, audacious goal… The hard thing isn't dreaming big. The hard thing is waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat when the dream turns into a nightmare.

— Ben Horowitz, The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Arriving at this point where I’m no longer consistent with the newsletter (and everything else) is a product of small things that have added up over time. Poor work habits like working during breaks, not taking enough vacation time, not resting during vacation time, and juggling too many projects at once. You never feel the impact until you do.

Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”
― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

I decided to withdraw and pay attention to how small things could help me achieve good results.

I spent a few weeks in Nigeria for my wedding between August and September. I had had a gym routine before this, and I wanted to ensure that, unlike the other periods I spent in Nigeria early this year, I continued that routine. It wasn't easy due to the long distance between the gym and my Lagos home. I decided I’d avoid the morning traffic jams by walking on the muddy roads to the nearest and most convenient gym. I was largely successful and chalked it down to determination and discipline. By the time I returned to London, I had noticed I had one small habit. Every night, I laid out my gym clothes, shoes and bag so that the moment I woke up, I could easily slip into them and head to the gym. It added to several other small things which helped me stay consistent at the gym.

Historically, incorporating this technique of preparing my work tools and having them within sight hasn’t always worked. For example, I could carry a book around all day or have it close to me at night but will not read it for weeks. Not when I wake up in the morning or before I sleep at night. It only means I’ll feel a stab of guilt when I decide to rewatch the Friends episode where they all turn 30 and not read. I considered reading a high-effort task, requiring much attention and emotion. These days, I start small. This means I’m not reading until my eyes dry, I finish the book, or I discover the killer. Instead, I focus on reading two pages or a chapter daily. I’m currently employing this reading method for The Hard Thing About Hard Things and TikTok sensation, Verity. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. One chapter a day keeps the doctor away.

I am embracing unconventional or bad habits. Instead of running away, I look into how to use them to my advantage. Writing first drafts on my phone comes too naturally for someone who loves being organised, has poor eyesight and has several writing tools and devices. This comes from years of writing while commuting to school or work, writing in bed right before sleeping, and writing when an idea popped in, even in the middle of an event. I’ve built the habit, and although I wouldn’t call it great, it’s effective. The downside is that I think of writing on my computer as tedious and will not get anything done on days when I decide to be seriously serious by sitting in front of my laptop to write. I’ve made peace with it.

It’s 4 am GMT, and I’m writing this letter in bed. 

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Creating space is sometimes mental. It, however, can be physical. A few months ago, I started making a workspace. Now that it’s all set up, I only use it for work. As in, I will not sit there to do anything else. I realised that my brain treats it like going into the office. Whenever I need to work, I go there, use my computer, and leave after I’m done. It’s the same reason I got a personal computer a few months ago. I couldn’t afford to work 9-5 on the same computer I used for work and not make any switch when I needed to write. My laptop is devoid of anything that isn’t related to writing. It’s a space for my creative ideas to breathe and flourish. It’s all in my head, but it works. 

My intimate workspace

Ree @Moanerleaser

Can you guys share with me the little, but significant things you’re doing to create beautiful lives for yourselves? I need inspo.

• Finding joy in new things you suck at: I’ve taken up decorating my home - setting up furniture, devouring IKEA’s website, creating mood boards on Pinterest, framing pictures, creating handmade photo albums, caring for plants that don’t care if they live or die, cooking exotic meals, etc.

• Finding joy when you stop: “I don’t want to do this anymore, or I don’t want to do this right now” - because you can afford to.

• Finding joy in saying no: “I don’t think this opportunity is for me. Thank you for considering me.”

Do you ever get so busy that you soon start to resent the things that bring you joy? Do you develop some apathy towards everything when you’re burnt out? Turning everything I love into work (including project managing my wedding) made me very irritated and impatient. My solution was to stop. I rested. I did nothing but watch Big Brother Naija and eat. I promised to write about planning my wedding; several thousand words in, I stopped. Too overwhelming, want to enjoy the experience. I will in time. No rush. Willing to find joy in the small things and willing to let joy find me in the small things. I recently edited a story that brought me so much joy. I realised I missed this.

The earth is healing.

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I’m completing this newsletter at 6 pm GMT. On my phone. All mistakes are completely mine. E dey happen. Enjoy your weekend 💚