This Before That:
Making Space for What Matters Most

There is an ideal order for everything.

High School comes before college, we like someone before we grow to love them, and we order dessert even before looking at the menu. Well, maybe not the last one.

Photo Credit: Guilherme JÛfili

One of the most distinct memories I have from growing up is doing my homework after school at the big brown desk in my room.

I don’t remember the exact assignments I worked on but I can clearly recall the feeling in my gut — the pain of knowing that I was missing out on something I would rather be doing.

Putting the Cart AFTER the Horse

While I was doing my homework I could hear my neighborhood friends playing outside. Even when I couldn’t hear them, I could imagine the sounds of them laughing and having fun while I slaved away on calculus and world history.

The only reason that I put myself through this torture was the life lesson my parents taught me through a daily practice of doing my homework before getting to go outside and play.

My mission was to finish my homework as fast as possible to clear enough time on my schedule for football, baseball, and the original Nintendo (does that make me sound old?). This may go without saying, but I wasn’t a big fan of this routine.

My parents didn’t give me much choice when it came to homework, and somewhere in the back of my mind I agreed with them, but not without putting up a fight first. How many kids do you now who really want to give up basketball for Beethoven?

As much as I despised this household rule, it was amazingly effective. There is no doubt that I did better in school because of it and no doubt that I have carried this practice with me ever since.

This Before That: Putting The Right Things First

I’m sure you can relate to my homework debacle with your own lessons from childhood, but let’s flesh out this strategy with a few practical examples you can put to use today to boost your productivity and progress on your grandest goals.

1. Water Before Coffee: One of the most popular articles on my site describes my simple practice of drinking 1 liter of water every morning before I let myself indulge in my caffeine addiction. I have been drinking water first for years and it works every time.
2. Reading Before Watching TV: If television has become more of an addiction than a part-time activity, try reading first. It doesn’t have to be very long. Start with just 5 minutes and build from there. Over time you can begin to improve your E-v-E Ratio (entertainment vs. education).
3. Planning Before Diving In: Last week I discussed the critical importance of a detailed action list. When you plan your goals before diving in head first you give yourself a major advantage. Think of this as sharpening your axe before making the first cut, or reviewing a map before heading out on a road trip.
4. Salad Before Dessert: eating healthy foods before anything else is always a good idea. I love my breakfast smoothie before my mid-morning snack and eating a big salad for dinner before a glass of wine.
5. Exercise Before Going Out: After my junior year of college I made a promise to myself that I would not go out with friends (aka: drink massive amounts of alcohol at the bars) without working out first. I drank significantly less that summer than previous years and gained incredible physical fitness at the same time.
6. Meditation Before Email: If your email is anything like mine first thing in the morning, you know why meditation could be a lifesaver. Think of this as the calm before the storm, or mental preparation for the battle ahead.
7. Gratitude Before Criticism: It’s easy to chastise others (or even ourselves) for what we perceive to be the wrong decision. When you feel the urge to write an angry email or snap a quick judgement at someone, take a few minutes and think about what is working well right now. What are a few things that you could be grateful for in this moment?

Just Pick Something — Anything

There is no right “This” before your “That.” In other words, you don’t have to choose a highly challenging goal to precede something you really love. Start small and watch as this new habit grows into something more.

And, honestly, sometimes choosing a little fun before your work is the best choice of them all. Take a look at that picture with the kids on the merry-go-round. That’s where you are headed.

Life can be fun, adventurous, and fulfilling . . . right after you do the work to make that possible.

Next Week

On the blog next week I will be discussing the pursuit of grand goals without a Plan B. Yes, you can do that, and in some cases it’s the best idea.