Diligent Sunday Newsletter / Issue #5

Editor's Note

Dear Diligent Sunday Readers,

By the end of the following week, 11.5% of the year will be in the rearview mirror. The days are gradually getting longer for my readers in the Northern Hemisphere, while the days are progressively getting shorter for my readers in the Southern Hemisphere.

I want to begin this week's Editor's Note by thanking my many new followers and readers for choosing to read my daily actionable insights on the Deliberate Diligence Mentel Model in their inboxes and on social media.

With blog posts, tweets, and videos, I can only contribute a small amount to your personal transformation goals, but hey, at least it might be motivation and inspiration in a pinch.

From my experience with numerous change initiatives, I know that the correct phrase, read at the right time, can have a significant impact.

More than once, a single sentence has assisted me in overcoming my inner resistance and initiating change.

In retrospect, these quotations and expressions do not seem so unique. It is dependent on the circumstances.

Keeping this in mind, I wish you a fantastic start to the week and that you receive relevant blog posts, tweets, videos, books, and podcasts that inspire you.

-- Martin from Deliberate-Diligence.com 

You'll find in this week's issue:

1. Housekeeping: Deliberate Diligence Community Growth
2. The Hidden Costs of Business Travel: Why It's Time to Question Every Trip
3. Summary of this week's blog articles and my favourite tweets

Housekeeping: Deliberate Diligence Community Growth

Things are beginning to look highly excellent in terms of followers and impressions. Particularly Tiktok and Instagram Reels have proven to be ideal platforms for gaining new followers and connecting with a vast audience.

The fact that I receive very few responses to my posts worries me a little.

Even on other accounts I've read, barely one out of every 100 readers writes a comment or a like.

But I also question whether I'm not doing anything incorrectly.

Over the next several days, I will try a few different things with my social media posts. For instance, I'll omit the photographs on Twitter and send shorter simpler words.

According to the textbook, I may also need to listen to myself to see if I have any controversial points of view and then stimulate comments accordingly.

Unfortunately, I tend to be pretty agreeable 😂

The Hidden Costs of Business Travel: Why It's Time to Question Every Trip

As the number of business trips rises, it's essential to be mindful of the hidden costs and make conscious decisions about each trip. Learn about the impact on personal productivity and how to weigh the benefits against the costs.

Business travel can be a necessary and valuable part of any professional's life, but it's easy to overlook the costs. From missed opportunities to lost productivity, a business trip can have far-reaching consequences beyond expenses. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the hidden costs of business travel and why it's essential to question every trip.

The Impact on Personal Productivity

When it comes to business travel, time is money. Every hour spent on the road or in the air is an hour that could have been spent working, exercising, or simply relaxing. The impact of this time loss can be profound and long-lasting, especially regarding personal productivity.

Missed Opportunities

Think about what you could have accomplished if you were not on the road. Could you have finished a project, written a report, or had extra time for yourself? The answer is likely yes, and these missed opportunities add up quickly.

Lost Routine

For many people, routine is critical to staying productive and healthy. From daily exercise to morning meditation, a routine change can significantly impact our well-being. When you're on the road, it can be challenging to maintain your regular routine, resulting in stress, fatigue, and decreased productivity.

Exhaustion and Stress

Business travel can be both physically and mentally exhausting. From the time zone changes to the long hours, it's easy to feel run down and stressed. These feelings can linger long after the trip, affecting your performance and well-being for days or weeks.

The Hidden Costs

In addition to the impact on personal productivity, there are other hidden costs to consider when it comes to business travel. These include:

• CO2 emissions and environmental impact
• Increased stress levels
• Missed opportunities for exercise and healthy eating habits
• Increased expenses, such as travel costs and meals

Making a Conscious Decision

The good news is that it's possible to minimize the negative impact of business travel by making conscious decisions about each trip. Here are some tips to help you weigh the benefits against the costs:

• Consider the purpose of the trip. Is it necessary, or could the meeting be held virtually?
• Think about the impact on your personal life and productivity. Can you maintain your routine, or will the trip be disruptive?
• Consider the environmental impact. Could you offset the CO2 emissions or reduce your waste while on the trip?

Personal Example

I travelled for four days this week and will travel for three days the following week (both necessary and not negotiable):

• Twenty-three hours of driving: at the same time, I get 7-10 blog articles written or two serious problems solved at work. That's half a work week, just gone.
• 7x skipped morning routine = 7x no exercise = potentially 7000kcal too much = 1kg weight gain.
• I have 7x omitted "alone time" in the evening (typically joint dinners with colleagues). As an introvert, this means that stress adds up for me, and I'm still totally exhausted and not 100% performing even days after the business trip.
• + CO2 and travel costs

Of course, I also schedule meetings and podcasts throughout my travel time. If I forced myself, I could also work out in the morning at the hotel.

Still, I must carefully examine the influence of such a business journey on my productivity and lay it against its value-add.

Conclusion

Business travel can be a vital part of any professional's life, but it's essential to be mindful of the hidden costs. The impact of a business trip can be far-reaching, from missed opportunities to decreased productivity. Making conscious decisions about each trip can minimize the negative impact and make the most of your time on the road.

Summary of this week's blog articles and my favourite tweets

Unmasking the Introvert: The Truth About Why Socializing is Exhausting and How to Change

In this blog article, "Unmasking the Introvert: The Truth About Why Socializing is Exhausting and How to Change," I delve into the complex reality behind the labels of introvert and extrovert. Society often categorizes introverts as quiet and reserved, while extroverts are more expressive, but the truth is more nuanced. People wear social masks to conceal their shadow selves, which can cause energy drain, especially for introverts.

I've always struggled with categorizing myself as either an introvert or an extrovert, as my behaviour changes based on context and energy levels. The need for categorization stems from our desire to understand other people's motivations. Still, the reality is that introversion and extroversion are not as black and white as they may seem.

Through my journey of self-discovery, I realized that introversion and extroversion are best described by how a person's energy is affected by social interactions. Introverts feel more energized when alone, while extroverts feel more energized when they are around others. I identify as an introvert and can attest to feeling drained after socializing.

My "aha" moment came after reading the book "The Laws of Human Nature" and understanding the concept of social masks and shadow selves. The book suggests that everyone has a shadow self that they conceal with social masks, but the effort of doing so drains energy. I found this explanation highly relatable and aligned with my observations of people's behaviour.

From my own experience, I believe that living authentically and embracing your true self can lead to invigoration and a greater focus on the present. I learned that disguising aspects of my personality and putting on social masks drained a lot of energy, and I was able to transform my life by embracing my authentic self.

This article is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the truth about why socializing can be exhausting and how to change it.

Unleashing Your Inner Athlete: A Beginner's Guide to a Sporty Lifestyle

As a workout fanatic and sports nut, I am highly dedicated to my fitness routine. I take 15 thousand steps every day, including a 2.5 to 3-hour walk, 45 minutes of morning weight training, and 30 to 45 minutes of cycling or running every other evening. This routine is consistent, except for my designated recovery days and business trips.

My passion for fitness did not start until I graduated from university at 25. I was overweight and had an unhealthy lifestyle, and creating a regular fitness routine seemed daunting. However, after beginning my career, I realized the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle and transformed.

My journey to a healthier lifestyle was not smooth, as I made mistakes in my exercise and nutrition. But with each iteration, I improved and now maintain a relatively stable weight.

My motivation to start was fueled by my desire to find a partner, as I was frustrated with my appearance and lack of success in dating. However, my initial approach was flawed. I was too motivated and focused solely on losing weight quickly, leading to an unsustainable calorie deficit and a lack of variety in my exercise routine.

I now understand the importance of taking things slow and methodically to achieve lasting results. I recommend first recognizing your motivations and writing them down, then visualizing the results from an emotional standpoint to overcome internal reluctance. I also stress the importance of prioritizing nutrition and a diverse exercise routine.

My favourite tweets this week:

This concludes this week's issue. See you next week!

Best regards,
-- Martin from Deliberate-Diligence.com