1 Question We All Need to Ask Ourselves

As we’re in the thick of the fun summer for those of us up in the northern hemisphere…

It’s definitely a time of fun in the sun.

But for me it’s also been a time full of chaotic back and forth between cottage country, the city and hanging out with loved ones while trying to get good work done all at the same time.

And as a digital nomad having lived out of bags hopping around different countries for the past 2+ years and counting…

You’d think this would be easy—just a bit of road-tripping around the same region!

But it’s been hectic as ever and I’m feeling in constant catch-up mode 😅

As I’m finally hanging out at the cottage for a full week, enjoying some time to get dialled back in, I’m excited to share the principles I’m working on applying that help me stay productive through such a busy season.

In these times, I try to remind myself of Steven Kotler's principles in "The Art of Impossible" and how they can help us manage the volatility and uncertainty that this season often brings.

Integrating these high-performance strategies into our busy summer schedules can be transformative, especially when balancing the demands of being a digital nomad.

Embracing these methodologies can help us to thrive, not just survive, during these bustling months by focusing intensely when it's time to work, and fully disengaging to savour our leisure moments.

It’s based on the concept of VUCA, which stands for "Volatile," "Uncertain," "Complex," and "Ambiguous."

Managing personal and professional VUCA isn't just about combatting chaos; it's about recognizing when we're stretching ourselves too thin.

A valuable lesson from a past mentor always resonates with me:

"When you're juggling too many balls, just don't drop the glass ones.
You can always set down those that aren't breakable and pick them back up when you have the capacity."

This wisdom aligns beautifully with Oliver Burkeman's advice in "Four Thousand Weeks," where he invites us to ask to be purposefully neglectful by asking the question:

"What can I intentionally delay doing?"

This mindset encourages us to prioritize effectively and embrace strategic neglect, allowing us to focus on what truly matters without feeling overwhelmed.

As we continue our journeys—both literal and metaphorical ones, I know it's crucial to remind myself of these insights to maintain clarity and purpose…

And I hope by asking yourself this question you can find it helps you to both focus in on your top priorities on the professional front, and to then help you also disconnect and enjoy what matters most when you’re not working.

In today’s world faster-than-ever world, a state of flux has replaced the sense of certainty, stability and familiarity that people were used to.

Just like what I’ve intentionally created for myself by uprooting my life and all of its stability, and instead living nomadically 😅

This type of environment can be described using the "VUCA" acronym.

Mindtools explains a bit more about VUCA in a business setting as:

• Volatile – change is rapid and unpredictable in its nature and extent.

• Uncertain – the present is unclear and the future is uncertain.

• Complex – many different, interconnected factors come into play, with the potential to cause chaos and confusion.

• Ambiguous – there is a lack of clarity or awareness about situations.

As you head into the week, ask yourself this question and apply what we’ve looked at in this issue 👀

Where in your life is VUCA most prevalent and how can you plan to best manage it?

Wishing you a reflective and productive week ahead,

Trevor “The Juggler” Davis