Love this Scott. Optimization is a trap. Sure, I’m all for tracking sleep and nutrition, but numbers aren’t enough. They’re no substitute for the things that really create joy and meaning - friends, family, hobbies, nature. Service to others. A sense of purpose. Thanks for sharing this piece.
I likely don’t optimize enough, but that’s a whole other discussion. 😊This article reminds me of the work of Iain McGilchrist and his point that modern culture has become overly dominated by left-hemisphere modes of thinking (analysis, abstraction, categorization, and control) vs right-hemisphere (context, embodiment, relationship, and lived experience). Your use of the two hands analogy points to the same, that BOTH are needed. Which I agree with wholeheartedly.
I am so glad to see this article. I have been waiving the Red flag at optimization in my coaching practice a lot lately. Partly because it keeps clients trying to control things that are actually out of their control. The leadership lacks integrity, the work load is unmanageable, the role they are in no longer aligns with the work they like to do. If you optimize the sh$&@ out of yourself each day- you don’t have to face these things- but you also stay exactly where you are. It is a “good girl” tool that keeps one feeling bad if used improperly.
Thanks for the pointer back to the sailboat ⛵️, Scott. Having just done a one day sail around St. John, USVI, the metaphor is apt. I’ve been contemplating the dynamic tacking part, and it combines well with your hierarchy graphic.
Wow! This is profound and so timely. It did penetrate my soul deeply. Not because there is any new concept here but came from your soul - one soul gifting another. A wake up call to all of us. SBK, you are speaking from your soul, rather than metrics. What a great gift for all of us. Thank you.
My favorite article thus far! The “engineering” of happiness, health, and flow has been incredibly overstated and somewhere in the journey we have to rest in ourselves after all is done. That simply cannot be measured as precisely as a sleep score or a macro count.
Love this Scott. Optimization is a trap. Sure, I’m all for tracking sleep and nutrition, but numbers aren’t enough. They’re no substitute for the things that really create joy and meaning - friends, family, hobbies, nature. Service to others. A sense of purpose. Thanks for sharing this piece.
I likely don’t optimize enough, but that’s a whole other discussion. 😊This article reminds me of the work of Iain McGilchrist and his point that modern culture has become overly dominated by left-hemisphere modes of thinking (analysis, abstraction, categorization, and control) vs right-hemisphere (context, embodiment, relationship, and lived experience). Your use of the two hands analogy points to the same, that BOTH are needed. Which I agree with wholeheartedly.
Iain keeps showing up. I must dig in…
optimization is the tool, not the task. it's like the speedometer, not the destination. the hammer and saw, not the house
I am so glad to see this article. I have been waiving the Red flag at optimization in my coaching practice a lot lately. Partly because it keeps clients trying to control things that are actually out of their control. The leadership lacks integrity, the work load is unmanageable, the role they are in no longer aligns with the work they like to do. If you optimize the sh$&@ out of yourself each day- you don’t have to face these things- but you also stay exactly where you are. It is a “good girl” tool that keeps one feeling bad if used improperly.
Thanks for the pointer back to the sailboat ⛵️, Scott. Having just done a one day sail around St. John, USVI, the metaphor is apt. I’ve been contemplating the dynamic tacking part, and it combines well with your hierarchy graphic.
Wow! This is profound and so timely. It did penetrate my soul deeply. Not because there is any new concept here but came from your soul - one soul gifting another. A wake up call to all of us. SBK, you are speaking from your soul, rather than metrics. What a great gift for all of us. Thank you.
Feel this in my soul, Scott. Thank you for articulating.
My favorite article thus far! The “engineering” of happiness, health, and flow has been incredibly overstated and somewhere in the journey we have to rest in ourselves after all is done. That simply cannot be measured as precisely as a sleep score or a macro count.
Beautifully said!