Cut Wood, Carry Water
[Day 1] - Return To Task.
The Woodcutter’s Way.
Cut wood. Carry water.
Cut wood. Carry water.
Rain hail or shine, through good times and bad…
The woodcutter knows exactly what he’ll be doing tomorrow:
(And the day after that).
Cutting wood and carrying water.
With athletes we call this principle:
Return To Task.
Just hit a huge winner? Return to task.
Made an unforced error? Return to task.
Distracted by someone in the crowd? Return to task.
Feeling nervous before a big race? Return to task.
We don’t ignore the pressure & distractions.
We simply make room for them to exist (acceptance).
And gently return our focus to the task at hand (commitment).
It’s the same in business.
Each day brings a smorgasbord of problems, distractions and spot-fires.
Our job is to gently return our focus to the task at hand.
But which task?
The one task that moves the needle the most.
The one task you can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary.
You could spend 1 hour posting on Instagram for your business, or invest that time into hiring a social media manager so you’ll never have to post again.
Spending 4-5 hours of deep work every day on your most important task is the one guaranteed ‘shortcut’ to the results you desire.
Cut wood. Carry water.
Then rinse and repeat.
Go well.
David B.
Elite Habits.