Lately, I have been stumbling across some of my old creative work, and have been rather amazed at how unafraid and free I was to create. Back then, it was almost as if the process itself and the sheer enjoyment of it all mattered more than the outcomes.

The experiment was the game. Not knowing what would transpire removed any preconceived notions of success. Art just unfolded, and with that, sometimes something remarkable emerged. I look back at some of my work and think, “How the heck was I capable of creating that?” Now I feel mostly empty and uninspired.

In some of my recent projects, I have found myself stealing some of this old work and repurposing it. Old photos, designs, writing, ideas. It has left me with the strangest feeling. I feel like a thief taking what was and making it what is. Almost as if I’m incapable of producing that specific thing anymore, so who gives me the right to steal it and use it in something current?

It’s quite silly, really. It’s still my work, so it’s not technically stealing. But somehow I am left feeling like I am stealing from myself.

So many experts have told us that we should cringe at our old work, because that shows that we’ve grown. I agree with that to a point. I certainly have some work I am less than proud of, but other pieces hold their own, even to this day. There is no shame in acknowledging that.

A true body of work takes a lifetime to build and may never be seen or appreciated. Repurposing old work and breathing new life into old ideas can actually be a good thing. Sometimes you create a piece of something that is a little out of sync with the timing of it all, and one day that piece slots in perfectly to a new masterpiece.

I’m sure I’ll look back one day and feel the same about some of the work I am creating today. And I might just steal a little more from myself with a perfectly clear conscience.

I think what makes a certain piece of art special is that it gets created at a time when so many things align in just the right way. That specific alignment never returns in the exact pattern. Pieces of it, maybe. Similar ideas, sure. But not the feeling, the passion, the thoughts or influences at that specific moment of creation. It is a snapshot in time. A creative fingerprint that can never be perfectly replicated.

The repurposing has also come in different forms. Photos become ideas. Ideas become writing. Writing becomes a song. A song becomes a video. I’ve seen some beautifully unexpected results simply by setting it all free and seeing where it lands.

So yes, I’ve decided to keep stealing from myself. Others might get to appreciate the new life breathed into my old work, or at the very least, I get to enjoy remembering that I made it and some of what I was feeling at the time. That in itself is a win.

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I don’t mean strange in a necessarily bad way, but just a bit odd. It’s the very oddness that gives the place its charm and a mini cult following, but that also translates into awkward exchanges when it comes to pleasantries.

I have no problem being polite and having a chat with my fellow humans, or animals and trees for that matter. My exchange with Moby is always a little strange. At times, I wonder if he is being polite or offering me a backhanded compliment. Other times I think he doesn’t understand my humour, or perhaps it’s my accent that throws him a curve ball.

Today, however, was a classic. I hadn’t been in for months and decided to grab one of my faves… the Fritz. It’s a near-perfect sandwich that always leaves me with a smile on my face and fulfilment in my belly. Upon entering Moby’s, I am greeted by none other than Moby himself. Hair wild and personality at full throttle. We have a bit of the usual small talk exchange, and then I ask for the Fritz. He’s like, “Sure, what’s your name again? For some reason, I keep forgetting.” At this point, I’m thinking, dude, you don’t need to feel bad for not remembering my name. I’m one of hundreds of customers, and I only pop in now and again. I proceed to say, “My name is Dan. You know, similar to one of your sandwiches called the Don. Now it’s easy for you to remember.” (Wink).

Boy oh boy was that a mistake. Somewhere in between all the small talk about the weather and how busy the town has gotten in peak holiday season, my order got lost in translation. A short while later, my name gets called out, and a delightful young lady hands me a Don… not a Fritz. A little confused, I politely state that I ordered a Fritz and not a Don, at which point she checks the order inside. Moby calls me in and says he was sure that I ordered a Don. That’s when I realised that the small talk led to the confusion, and explained that I made a bit of a dad joke about the Don spindling like Dan, and he must have thought I ordered that and not the Fritz.

I compliantly volunteered to have the Don anyway, even though I didn’t technically make the mistake. Moby told me not to worry about it, and his crew promptly made me a Fritz to go. Driving home with my perfect sanga left me feeling a bit weird. I kept second-guessing myself. Wondering if I should have just stuck to my mission and avoided small talk altogether. Maybe then I would have gotten my sandwich and avoided all the awkwardness.

I realised that small talk can often add unnecessary mental clutter that does more harm than good. Instead of getting straight to the point and achieving the goal, it can lead you down the garden path and dish up unintended results. It also got me thinking about how I don’t really like small talk and that it’s perfectly okay to be polite and direct.

The question has sat with me all day. My sandwich is all but vaporised in digestive juices, but the strange taste of the morning’s chit chat is lingering. I still have a weird feeling inside, almost like I don’t want to go back to Moby’s.

Perhaps next time I’ll order online and pick up. Problem solved. But then, where is the human interaction in that?

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You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘have no expectations and suffer no disappointment’. There is a lot of wisdom in that nugget. For me, it’s about detaching from expectations, which often set me up for disappointment. If I expect nothing and get something, well then I’m already winning. Conversely, if I expect much and get nothing, I’m losing all the way.

What a difference the sprinkling of letters at the end of a word can make.

Expectancy fuels hope

When you’re expectant, every part of you is anticipating something good. You become ready to receive the good things that are meant for you, and you’re open to embracing opportunities that are presented to you. You’re in a constant state of readiness. An open state that recognises how blessed you are and is hopeful of a future that will bring with it things that help you grow.

Expectancy is not idleness. Rather, it is the process of preparing your patch, ensuring it is as fertile as possible to nurture growth and ultimately allow you to harvest good produce. When you’re expectant, you’re actively living your life in the best way and positioning yourself for the best outcome. It requires effort, a positive mindset and a clear vision.

Expectation ends in disappointment

We live in a society that has become incredibly entitled and is riddled with unrealistic expectations. Instant gratification has become the default setting, and when things don’t go the way expected, people tend to lose it.

When your food is fast, content is instant, and entertainment is free-flowing, your appreciation starts to tank quickly. You begin to want more and want it more quickly. You forget about the process and focus on the outcome. If the result is too slow or not what you expected, toys get thrown out of the got as you have your little tantrum.

You begin to put in less effort but expect bigger results. You don’t want to work, but you expect to get paid. Not just paid, but paid handsomely for simply existing. Never in all of history have we been as privileged as we are now. We have access to the most incredible things that we simply take for granted. Yet with all that we have, we still want more because we expect more. If others have it, we should have it also. We don’t care if they worked for it or not. We don’t see the hard slog; we just see the success story and expect the same result to happen instantaneously. When did we become so covetous and so entitled?

Expectancy benefits from detachment

When you are detached from preconceptions. When you have let go of how you expect things must go. Then you can position yourself to be expectant, ready for what comes. Often things don’t go exactly as planned and rarely as expected, but if we remain open, we may just be blown away at what does arrive.

Detachment is a principle and a process that can be applied deeply. We are interconnected beings, and our lives are made up of several facets. Like it or not, everything we are and everything we have is temporary. We live on borrowed time, using borrowed resources on a borrowed home we call Earth. When you delve deeper, you realise there is very little at all, if anything, that we truly own.

The idea of detachment and the way to become detached from things, both physical and emotional, is discussed in Jay Chetty’s book, Think Like a Monk. It’s worth the read.

Lessons in expectancy from the developing world

For those of us who have had the privilege of travelling to, or better yet, growing up in a developing nation, things hit slightly differently. We have seen both sides of the coin and realise that there are those out there who are doing it tough.

I was born and raised in South Africa, where I spent most of my sprightly years. Even though I was born to a lower-middle-class family, I witnessed gross inequality and severe poverty. Institutionalised racism constructed a divide so deep that few had hope of it changing, yet there are always the expectant ones… The dreamers, the hopers, the doers, the change makers. Transformation eventually came, the apartheid regime was overthrown, and a ‘free’ and democratic South Africa emerged.

On paper, all people in South Africa became equal, but you would be foolish to think that systemic racism like that would make everything good with a new president, a new flag and a new constitution.

The truth is that many previously disadvantaged families benefited, and the middle class swelled, but the majority became poorer, and as the population has grown, many remain in severe poverty. Homelessness, unemployment, lack of basic services, crime and corruption are rife. Yet in spite of all of the challenges, so many people remain hopeful, expectant of change. So many are grateful to receive even the tiniest sliver of kindness. They are open. Their smiles are genuine, and their hearts are pure. They have had to work very hard for the little they have. They know how the real world works.

You would think that the ones at the bottom end would have hardened hearts, severed consciences and a hopeless outlook. Surprisingly, these are some of the most beautiful people you will ever meet. They have unknowingly flipped the narrative and found a way to remain humble, kind and gracious. To top it all, they are filled with joy and gratitude. And if you’re keen for a laugh, they guys have the best sense of humour because they realise that laughing at life is an elixir.

Those with nothing take nothing for granted but appreciate everything.

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44 comparisons of my younger self and previous habits to what they are now in mid-life.

The old me vs the new me…

I was sent to school to be forced to read and write. Now I can’t wait to read and write in my free time.

When I got my first computer, I wanted to spend all day, every day working on it and playing games. Now I spend all day in front of a screen and can’t wait to escape from it.

I was a fast traveller, always trying to see all the sights and squeeze more in. Now, I travel slowly, immersing myself in a place and exploring all of its wonders in glorious detail.

I moved homes a lot when I was younger. More than most people do. Now I have put down roots and am more settled.

I used to believe what I was told by authoritative figures. Now I question everything and choose what I believe based on research and intuition.

I used to live for the hot summer sun. Now I embrace all seasons, soaking up their beauty and embracing the lessons they teach and foster in change.

I always felt like I needed to escape from my life. Now I have learnt to be content with it. Not in a set-and-forget kind of way. More of a slow improvement, things will happen in their time, kind of way.

I never paid attention to the birds chirping at my windowsill. Now I listen intently to the birdsong melodies composed by my feathered friends. I greet every magpie I walk past with a gurgle so that they remember I’m one of the good ones.

I was always rushing through life to get to the next best thing.
Now I adopt the pace of nature and understand that everything unfolds perfectly in its time.

I used to eat whatever tasted good, regardless of how bad it was for me. Now I eat what is good for my body and mind. I consciously choose food to nourish my body with the ‘let food be thy medicine’ mantra.

I used to beat myself up for making mistakes. Now I realise that mistakes are what got me here. They were always going to be part of my journey, just like the ones I am making now, are preparing for what’s next.

I sought approval from others. Now I gain my own approval.

Before, I followed the mainstream ideas of what’s cool. Now I abhor mainstream brainwashing and have my own idea of what cool really is.

Before, I tried to impress the wrong people by trying too hard. Now I strive for integrity, I only want to impress those close to me, including myself.

I used to be a mindless consumer. Now, I am thoughtful about every purchase I make. I prioritise quality over quantity, need over want.

Before, I wanted to be a rock star with an electric guitar. Now I am happy to strum my six-string around a campfire as my imperfect melody rises like an ode to the stars.

Before, I covetously wasted my time dreaming of a nice car. Now I have a nice car, but I don’t care about it too much. It’s a simple mode of transport, a vehicle for adventure, and it’s comfortable enough to make epic road trip memories without ruining my back.

I was a bad friend, unconsciously looking at what I could gain. Now I am a good friend, consciously looking for ways to give.

Before, I was timid and felt nervous talking to strangers. Now I am quietly confident and love talking to strangers. It’s amazing what an open face and a genuine smile can do to break down barriers.

Before, I allowed myself to be abused in silence. Now I am intolerant of abuse and speak out boldly.

Before, I binge-watched shows till after midnight. Now I value sleep and wield it like a superpower.

Before, I was brainwashed by a dogmatic, indoctrinated belief system. Now I am a free thinker and authentic believer.

Before, I was an all-or-nothing kind of guy. Now I am all about small compounding efforts to achieve results.

Before, I was into sci-fi. Now I’m into period pieces.

Before, I had unrealistic hoop dreams. Now I enjoy having a run on the court with my mates.

Before, I would wish for tomorrow to come. Now I embrace the present moment and try to live in slowness.

I used to accumulate things. Now I do regular cleanouts.

Before, I thought I wanted huskies. Now I know I love frenchies.

Before, I chased pleasure. Now I value intimacy.

Before, I wanted everything to be perfect. Now, good enough is enough for me.

Before, I quit when things got tough. Now, I push through the pain to learn what it has to teach.

Before, I wanted more. Now I am satisfied with less.

I used to think that people with fancy titles were important. Now I know that all people are important.

Before, I let life happen to me. Now I make life happen for me.

I used to be an all-you-can-eat buffet. Now I am a curated à la carte.

I used to drink Coca-Cola after dinner. Now I enjoy a cup of tea.

I used to turn the TV on every night. Now I only turn it on when I want to watch something I’m interested in.

I used to eat processed bread every day. Now I enjoy an occasional artisanal sourdough.

I was unknowingly prioritising stuff at the expense of others. Now I am consciously prioritising others at the expense of stuff.

Before, I would watch too much TV. Now I enjoy reading.

Before, I didn’t like being alone. Now I value solitude.

Before, I focused on mastering a skill. Now I focus on mastering myself.

I used to push myself to breaking point. Now I allow myself grace and give my body and mind time to recover.

I used to suffer from the fear of missing out. Now I embrace the joy of missing out.

Midlife has certainly been an introspective and contemplative time for me. In one way, I lament not having my youthful body that didn’t ache for no reason, and in another way, I love the wisdom and discipline I have gained.

Nothing is perfect. I have much to learn.

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I love starting things. I’m a dreamer by nature, so coming up with a new shiny idea comes naturally to me. I am also not one of those laser-focused, niched experts. I consider myself a deep generalist. My interests vary broadly and my applications change across genres and mediums.

Getting started is the fun part

The excitement of starting something fuels me into action. Thinking about an idea, planning the execution, building the initial system and taking it for a test run, is all a lot of fun. Until it is not. A little bit beyond the genesis phase and I start getting bored. Like a raven pick-pocketing for that sparkly object, I am easily drawn away to the next shiny idea. What’s worse is that I lose interest in the previous work, even though it may be good or potentially great.

Clearly, this is a flaw in my character. At least that’s what I thought until recently I read an article about having 100s of unfinished drafts instead of forcing yourself to finish a piece of work when you’re just not feeling it. I’m a creative by nature but I also need to feel happy and calm for me to be my best creative self. Some days it just doesn’t click and I can’t force it. What if I didn’t have to force it? What if I didn’t have to finish everything I started — at least not right away?

Finishing has to be easier than this

This got me thinking. Following the popular opinion of many online creators, seeing their work ethic and listening to how they structure their workday, leaves me feeling like a loser. I can’t wake up at 5 am and be happy about it. I am unable to give the best of my morning hours to my craft because I need to get to my day job during that time. I can’t afford to work only a few hours a day and then do whatever I want. I can’t publish an article, a post or a story every single day. At least not in this phase of my life anyway.

This idea of chasing perfection… the perfect routine, the perfect method, the perfect hook, the perfect business plan, the perfect way to build an audience, is what wears me down. I used to be an all-or-nothing kind of guy. The problem with all or nothing is that you land up with nothing more often than you land up with more. Forcing yourself to finish something do are not enjoying is like sucking on aspirin — yuck!

What if there was a way for me to stay in the zone? What if there was a way for me to finish the things I started but it wasn’t the obvious way? I’ve decided to try the ‘100 unfinished drafts’ method. That way I can work on something every day but not be limited to a piece of work that is just not clicking on that particular day. Some days I may add a paragraph to a piece I started months ago, other days I may write 90% of an article and other days I may do some post-production editing on photos. Some days I may build a new system, or improve on an existing one. Some days I may do no work and allow myself to recharge at the pace of nature. The net result however may be surprisingly positive.

Articles, stories and posts will still be written. Photos will get edited. Improvements will be made. New ideas will be implemented. But not all at once and not at the expected time. When you’re a part-time creator you don’t have the luxury of spending all of your time doing the thing you love. You must try your utmost to harness your energy and focus it in the most beneficial direction on any given day. I work a full-time job that requires me to be present and carries with it a decent amount of responsibility. I also have a mortgage and bills to pay. So unfortunately I can’t do whatever I like with my time… yet.

Continually chasing perfection means nothing gets finished

I’ve kicked perfection to the kerb. I have thrown the all-of-nothing mentality out the window. I am embracing the method of channelling my energy on the right thing at the right time. Work will eventually get finished and it’ll be pretty awesome when it gets published, shared or monetised. As long as there is consistency in the right direction I’ll get there. I may not take the road marked on the map by all the experts. I may follow the dim-lit, feint trail that very few travel, and I’m okay with that. I don’t like following crowds and conforming to societal norms anyway.

Wisdom is gleaned from multiple sources and I am in no way saying that the experts or the ones with the loudest voices are wrong. They are just different in their approach. I’ll learn what I can for them and move on. I am not going to copy anyone’s ten-step formula for overnight success. I’ll take it slow, adopt the pace of nature and grow organically. Like a tree, I’ll allow my roots to anchor deep in wisdom. I’ll have seasonal blooms of inspiration and growth spurts. Other times I’ll shed my leaves and be a little stark. While I grow I will scatter my seeds all over the forest and those that fall on fertile soil will germinate and grow into their little patch of beauty.

If midlife has taught me anything, it’s that pushing yourself to the breaking point for anything is simply not worth it. I’ve dealt with working long nights. I’ve lived the hustle. I’ve burnt out. It does nothing but incapacitate you and set you back years. For me, slow and steady wins the race while fast and wobbly lands me in a brace. Without a healthy body and a calm mind, my work will suffer and my creativity turn into a barren landscape inhabited by nothing more than dust and tumbleweeds.

The idea of incremental improvements and sustainable momentum is something I truly believe in. I would rather do a few small things every day than do one big thing one day. I like to use this analogy…

Each day we are given opportunities. As small as they may seem, they are there. It’s up to us to use them like little building blocks. Laying just a few bricks each day over the course of a year will build you a house.

Not finishing a piece of work before I start another doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t turn out to be a success in the end. On the contrary, it can become great because it is not forced into an average, premature finish. If I am adding true value to a piece of work every day, it can only get better. It has to.

Not finishing something quickly does not make you a failure

Admittedly, there are days when I still feel like I am failing. Not churning out enough content. Not publishing regularly enough. Not building a business quickly enough. Not leveraging social media, mailing lists and digital products quickly enough. Some days I feel like I have missed the boat. When this happens, I try to take a step back and gain some perspective. I remind myself I am not competing against anyone apart from my former self. I have nothing to prove to anyone but I do want my future self to thank me for doing the right thing.

We are all told that we should cringe at the work we produced in the past. We should hate it, and be embarrassed by it. Yes, there is some of my old work I am not particularly fond of, but there are times I find something that an inspired younger me produced, and I think “Well done legend, you did good back then.” There will always be room for improvement, as you get better at your craft, naturally, you become more professional. I don’t think we need to or should berate our old selves. We have learnt so much. We have come so far. We have a bigger picture now and can see how all those little bits of work in the right direction have gotten us to this point.

Switching systems to make for a fun finish

To simplify my workflow and help me stay a little more organised, I have started using my notes app extensively. I love the way it synchronises across my devices. When inspiration hits, I can quickly jot something down no matter where I am or pick up on a piece of work that is half-finished and add something valuable. For now, it seems to be working out. I am sure my future self will be thankful I found a way to eventually finish the work that I started instead of abandoning it completely, even if the methods are a little unconventional.

Like my dog’s favourite toy being taken out of the cupboard after a few months in hiding, I too gather great excitement when I discover something I started on in the past that all of a sudden provides newly fuelled energy. Recently I unearthed a catalogue of drone videos from some of my travels and that inspired me to edit and share them with the world. It made me want to get outdoors into nature and see this big beautiful world in its majesty. It also made me grateful for the past experiences I was fortunate to have, places I have been able to see and memories that have left my soul fuller.

I may just keep digging in the archives. Who knows what gold I might find amongst the dregs that’s simply in need of a little polish to help it sparkle gloriously?

Confession… I didn’t finish this piece of writing in one sitting. I fleshed out the bulk of it but was pulled away by my lovely wife who wanted to have a conversation. She will always win when it comes to priorities, so I filed this as a draft to be finished on another day.

A reminder to myself…

Progress over perfection. Make incremental improvements. Work in excellence. Perfection is a moving target. You’ll get there in the end 😉

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Looking back upon the years gone by and thinking about all the silly New Year’s resolutions I made, in the hope that I would magically improve, I can’t but help feeling disappointed.

Did I ever achieve any of them? Do I even remember what they were? Chances are like most, I started with the fervor of a dervish and soon fell back into the self discipline of a junkie.

In spite of all of the good intentions putting in the effort to achieve these lofty goals was well… too much effort. Sticking with it became too hard and life quickly got in the way.

As the old adage goes “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”, so intentions alone are really worth nothing. Unless those intentions evolve into plans, systems and daily habits, they are really good for nothing.

A classic example: losing weight and improvement fitness

This year I am going to lose weight and get fitter. I’ll drop 20kg and get ripped by February. Really? Dream on loser. Needless to say this resolution never materialised because it was nothing more than a daydream. I had no real plan, I had no system to keep me on track and I certainly had no habits that were any good. I relied on the very little motivation I had, which faded very quickly as the year started getting serious.

Instead of waiting for the new year and creating out of touch health and fitness goals like I did in the past, I am being more realistic and pragmatic in my approach. I know that small daily gains add up to massive wins in the end. So I am not going to sprint to the start line and flake out after a few steps. Instead I am going to pace myself and make those tiny little changes that get me moving in the right direction.

Momentum is a wonderful thing. That incredible force that just keeps you going, somehow requiring less effort but yielding bigger results. That’s the kind of energy I am aiming for this year. I’m looking for something sustainable that won’t wear me out. Something that will keep me motivated because I see small wins and I feel better for them.

This year I didn’t plan an unrealistic resolution to start on January 1st. Instead I am building on the good work I have already started and making adjustments to get the daily gains I need to show results. I’m a guy in his mid forties that likes good food and artisanal pastries. I’m not the steamed chicken and broccoli for every meal kind of guy. When I tried to be, I failed miserably because the all or nothing approach barely works, it’s simply unsustainable.

Every yo-yo diet or extreme eating plan worked for a time then died a quick death when I fell off the wagon and emotionally indulged. Every exercise plan was quickly forgotten as tiredness took over my body and watching TV was way more appealing.

I am no longer interested in extremes. They have never helped me in the past and I don’t believe they will ever help me in the future. Extremes are really polarising and they either make me extremely happy or extremely unhappy. That type of bipolar lifestyle is not something I enjoy. It’s something that wipes me out. I want to feel healthy and strong everyday. An even keel that gives me the juice I need to keep going.

For the most part my diet is rather healthy. I do my best to eat wholesome foods for every meal and give my body the nourishment it needs. I don’t eat junk food. Not because I am a snob, purist or a judgmental bigot. I just don’t like the way it makes my body feel. I get that it is cheap, fast and convenient but that is not enough for me. It simply doesn’t serve me. One of my big problems is my addiction to sugar. No, not the obvious ones like soft drinks or extremely processed foods. It’s the subtle things like chocolate, artisanal pastries and the seemingly healthier versions like honey, dates and fruit. Sugar and I have had some really bad breakups in the past. I vow to never return to her seductions but sooner or later somehow find myself embraced by her sweet temptation. There have been times where I gave up sugar completely and I was probably better (and thinner) for it. Sugar seems to always win out in the end.

I think it’s time for a different ending. I don’t want sugar to win and my health to lose. I also know that an all or nothing approach won’t get me very far for very long. So instead of complete abstinence, I am choosing considered moderation. I am trying to make the healthiest choices and if I know I’m going to be a little naughty, I’ll ramp up my steps for the day to mitigate the damage.

When it comes to fitness I am probably rather average. I don’t run marathons or spend hours in the gym every day. I don’t cycle 100km or swim 50 laps. I’m just not that guy. When I tried to be I failed. I didn’t enjoy the activity or the process.

The key for me was finding fitness activities that I do enjoy doing and building some momentum around those. I love playing basketball. Even though I am of average height and above average weight, the fun I have when shooting hoops is just effortless. Of course the next day my body says otherwise but the pain I feel the day after is not enough to keep me from getting beat up on the court twice a week. I played a little basketball when I was a teenager but the game wasn’t big where I grew up and finding places to play or clubs to join prices fruitless. Fast forward 25 years and I get invited to play in a casual weekly get together of old boys, mostly in their 40s and 50s. All of a sudden the hoop dreams I had as a kid resurfaced and I’m all out NBA superstar.

Needless to say, being an unfit overweight 41 year old who hadn’t played basketball in over 20 years, made my debut less than spectacular. The fact that I had eaten a sizeable curry for dinner didn’t help my cause either. I thought I was going to die that night as I sat on the bench questioning my life’s choices. Feeling the burn in my chest and wondering if someone would soon need to call an ambulance to take me away.

I was back the next week. I died a little less and made sure to postpone dinner till after. From that day onwards I have been a regular every week only skipping my fix due to injury, illness or holidays. That kind of momentum brought about a change in me. I started feeling more alive, feeling stronger and lost some excess weight. That incidental invitation to join a community of awesome and active men got me out of my comfort zone and into “the zone”. For that I am truly grateful.

The momentum continued and I was invited to join a team that played in a local men’s open division. Things started heating up and getting a little more serious. This was not the old boy basketball I had become accustomed to. Now I was playing against kids half my age and double my height. I’m not that easily intimidated and up for a challenge. The full body workout I get from two games of basketball a week has been life changing. Being a contact sport you do get bashed around a bit. I’m always rather sore the day after however our bodies are remarkable and bounce back quickly when we get stronger.

Turn setbacks into comebacks

Injuries when you’re older are no fun and take a lot longer to heal. I’ve had my fair share over the last few years. The most recent one was a very severe rolled ankle and set me back several months. For what felt like the longest time I couldn’t really do much. Being stuck in a moon boot with the and not able to go for walks had a serious effect on both my physical and mental health. As with most things in life, as bit of time and patience eventually brings healing. While I am still in rehab, I’m not letting it stop me. Incremental strengthening and stretching work I do every day means that I get that little bit stronger and more flexible. Being able to do long walks again has been a life saver.

My body has changed. In my 20s and 30s I healed from injury a lot quicker and didn’t need to do too much to see results. My 40s are a bit of a different story and I have to tread a little more carefully. When I’m playing sport my brain still thinks it’s that teenage kid with a flexible limbs and an unlimited amount of energy. My body however doesn’t get that memo and lags behind. The trick is to find a way to harness some of that “I think I can” belief and get it to work in a realistic way. I’ve certainly had to become a little wiser in my choices on the court to avoid injury. My natural game is to bust down the lane and drive to the basket but this often gets me hurt. I have had learn new skills and start shooting long range shots. I am forced to think a little more creatively and get myself into better positions on the court. These things have made me a better player and have literally been a game changer.

There is a lesson here. In the same way that I’ve needed to adapt the way I play basketball in mid-life, so I may need to adapt in other areas. Life is notoriously known for throwing curve balls. Sometimes you dodge them, sometimes they hit you on the head and knock you out cold. However, when you get smart enough, you learn to hit those suckers out of the park.

Setbacks happen but they are only temporary unless you allow them to become permanent. You have the power to decide what your future holds.

How to keep momentum in the face of setbacks

Keeping momentum is the key. So what’s the plan to keep things humming a long when life gets interesting?

Have a plan

Having a plan is essential. It doesn’t have to be highly detailed and completely rigid but it needs to be accurate. Don’t plan for your perfect day, plan for your worst day. Perfect days are few and most likely take care of themselves. Bad days however need a plan to ensure you don’t get completely derailed. Think about what you may need to do if things go pear shaped. How will you need to adapt, what will you do to cope and who can you call on for help? Having a plan gives you peace of mind. It kind of feels like having your affairs in order for that just in case scenario.

Build a system

Now that you have a plan you need a system to support it. The key to building a good system is the lean concept of flow. In lean methodology the basics are: remove waste, remove obstacles and remove obscurity. If you’re doing something that’s wasting your time and energy, get rid of it. If you’ve got physical or digital clutter laying around, tidy it up, pack it up or chuck it away. If things seem unclear, take some time to think about how to make them more clear in their simplest form. When it comes to creating effective systems: simple is good, complex is bad. Remember that.

Develop habits

Once your system is in place you need to think about the habits you need to build to support that system. Break down each step into the smallest possible element and figure out what those little things are that will help you become the person you want to be.

Cue James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Many have different opinions on this book but my opinion is that it’s pure gold. So many practical nuggets to help you build effective habits. It has helped me tremendously.

Bounce back

Realise that setbacks will happen. We don’t want them to. We want smooth sailing and continual sun on our face, but that’s not how life goes. When things go awry look back on your plan, rely on your system and click back into the hood habits you’ve formed. Do this as quickly as possible to maintain momentum. Leave it too long and it will be harder to get going again. Developing resilience is a skill. Learning how to do this will help you for the rest of your life. I’m no expert but I’m learning and improving every day.

Focus on improvements not outcomes

The key is to focus in those daily improvements, not the end goal. If we’re only focusing on the destination, we miss out on so much of the journey. The journey is where memories are made, where stories unfold and where you are awakened. Enjoy the journey. Find ways to make improvements fun and rewarding. By doing this you may just discover the destination you had in mind at the start is nothing compared to the awesome place you arrive at.

Know when to change direction

Keeping on keeping on is great but not if you’re heading in the wrong direction. Your gut will most likely tell you when it’s time for a shift and when that happens don’t just stop everything to a grinding halt. Try and steer your momentum into the new direction. It’s a lot easier to change course when you’re still moving by slowing down a little, than it is to be completely stationary.

What’s the go for the new year?

This year I am going to build on about all of the progress I have already made. Instead of starting from scratch with a hope and a dream, I am forging ahead with a momentum fueled systemised plan. I have no way of knowing how things will pan out but if I keep doing the right things the chance of things working out is likely.

How are you planning on tackling the new year?