1/19 THE STALLION AND RIDER PRODUCTIVITY MODEL
Like many in #roamcult I'm a serial experimenter of productivity techniques. I kept what worked and discarded what didn't. I've built a stack over the years. This is my best version so far.
Like many in #roamcult I'm a serial experimenter of productivity techniques. I kept what worked and discarded what didn't. I've built a stack over the years. This is my best version so far.
2/ Sharing this now because in the pre-training survey of [[Using Roam for Project Management]] bit.ly/roamfu-pm, the longest responses are on problems with sustaining passion and commitment for projects. This thread is my answer. (Long response priority: h/t Ask Method)
3/ This model also solved those previously inexplicable times where I would lose hours of my life mindlessly watching YouTube or Netflix. The last few months, in fact, have been the most productive in my life.
4/ The Stallion and Rider model is based on one of the best books on decision-making I've read: Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow. The book is about our cognitive biases. The same mental duality appears to be applicable to getting work done.
5/ The Stallion—System 1—is powerful but does not listen to reason. The Rider—System 2—understands reason, but does not have total control of the stallion. In the past, my rider would just whip the stallion to submission. It turns out "discipline" literally means whip.
6/ Still, [[Z: Discipline = freedom]]. Letting the stallion loose leads to chaos (we'll have to go back to my teens for this lol). The model of a rider who has **compassionate mastery** over his stallion was the solution. This is an ancient insight. Here's Aristotle via Aquinas:
7/ The stallion and rider model is also consistent with modern neuroscience. In the book "Emotional Life of Your Brain," the techniques suggested for modifying default behavior are all "politic," to use Aristotle's word. medium.com/life-tactics/1…
8/ In concrete terms, this means:
🔹I have clearly articulated my values and my vision across different time horizons
🔹I keep my calendar as open as possible
🔹When I start the day, I pick /TODOs that fits my rider's purpose and my stallion's appetite
🔹I have clearly articulated my values and my vision across different time horizons
🔹I keep my calendar as open as possible
🔹When I start the day, I pick /TODOs that fits my rider's purpose and my stallion's appetite
9/ I reserve my discipline for unavoidable tasks that my stallion dislikes. As much as possible I hire out these tasks.
When I focus on tasks that are meaningful to the rider and attractive to the stallion, I ride like a black knight on the warpath. ericvelhagen.carbonmade.com
When I focus on tasks that are meaningful to the rider and attractive to the stallion, I ride like a black knight on the warpath. ericvelhagen.carbonmade.com
10/ Here are other things that support this model:
🔹Sleep, exercise and nutrition: you're faster when you have a stronger horse and a stronger rider. [[Z: The mind rests on the brain]]
🔹Pomodoro. I don't know why but my horse just functions best with this.
🔹Sleep, exercise and nutrition: you're faster when you have a stronger horse and a stronger rider. [[Z: The mind rests on the brain]]
🔹Pomodoro. I don't know why but my horse just functions best with this.
11/ cont.
🔹Morning stallion =/= post-lunch stallion =/= late afternoon stallion. Get to know them to plan the appropriate tasks (cf. GTD)
🔹Rest the stallion like a derby champion: long walks in nature, hang-out with friends & family, good fiction, whatever works for your horse.
🔹Morning stallion =/= post-lunch stallion =/= late afternoon stallion. Get to know them to plan the appropriate tasks (cf. GTD)
🔹Rest the stallion like a derby champion: long walks in nature, hang-out with friends & family, good fiction, whatever works for your horse.
12/ Daily practice: in my morning meditation, aside from listing down things I'm grateful for, I answer the following questions, keeping in mind the rider and the stallion. I have a template in Roam which I alt-drag.
13/ The key idea is that you have multiple TODOs for each of your multiple visions. Most times, it doesn't matter which TODO you work on today. If you choose ones which attract your stallion, you'll run faster. This is much better than scourging yourself with fear and guilt.
14/ To sustain passion and interest in a project, your current self must prepare for the difficulties your future selves will inevitably face. Consider both rider and horse. Clarity of purpose for the rider. Celebration, novelty, recognition, belongingness for the stallion.
15/ This model is also useful for people management. PMs are responsible for conveying purpose to the riders and having compassion on the stallions in the project cavalry.
16/ You need your stallion not only for its power. Only the stallion could hear the voice of inspiration. This is why slack (both time and cash) is so important. You need to be free to say yes to inspiration.
17/ Your stallion could also tell you what to add to your networked thoughts. [[Z: Listen to your body]] h/t [[@fortelabs]]
18/ I've updated the Idea-to-Reality Production Stack with these toolkits. plectica.com/maps/XNW45IKH8
19/19 Here's a list of Roam-fu threads, articles and training scrapbox.io/kahlil/Roam-fu
