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Good Stress Is Still Stress

Good Stress Is Still Stress

Good stress is still stress.

Managing it is not only healthy but can also help make good things happen.

Can your system deal with good stress, too?


The success of Waves of Focus has been wonderful. Students are interacting, supporting each other, and learning. Several have discovered new ways of interacting with themselves, feeling less scattered and more accomplished already.

And only a third of what I’ve planned is published to the site!

And my goodness is there stuff to do!

There’s promotion to consider, a podcast to prepare for, this newsletter, tweets and instagram posts, the business of the site itself, not to mention my continued psychiatric practice, my family, my kids’ homework to help with, my weekend piano performances, the dishes, and you know what else?

I’m still going play video games, dang it. Fun, in some form or another, is absolutely vital to existence.

Much of my success stems from David Allen’s Getting Things Done, both in terms of my learning and in my ability to, well, get things done. One powerful lesson he gives is that whatever system you use should be able to function when you are sick with the flu, whatever you decide to do that day.

I would add to that: whatever system you use should be able to function when you are inundated with a zillion things. Bookmark this, grab that, jump into the Now, keep an eye on the Not Now, etc.

But, at the risk of jinxing myself, I’d like to say my systems have, by and large, been able to both keep me on track and provide at least some room for play.

Getting there has not about setting something up and leaving it. There are clearly areas that need to be pruned. Stress is quite present.

It’s a practice, and one that’s doable.

– Kourosh

PS. I’m currently on the 5th boss cell of Dead Cells for anyone keeping score (though I think I’ll be stuck there for quite a while).

What is Productivity?

Productivity is many things. For some, it is about doing a lot in a little time.
But, truly, productivity is so much more. It is about:

  • Setting yourself up for success.
  • Being focused where you want to be.
  • Doing things that you find meaningful.
  • Being creative, sometimes even in harsh environments.
  • Forging your own paths.
  • Finding your voice and delivering it well.
  • Knowing and actively deciding on your obligations.
  • Knowing where and how to say “no”.
  • Avoiding procrastination.

Too often, many of us fall into just going along with and fighting whatever the world throws at us. “Go with the flow!”, we say. Meanwhile, we might think, “I’d like to do that one thing. Maybe one day I will.” The days go by. The goal never arrives, and then we wonder why or blame circumstance.

But when we learn to take charge of our lives and the world
around us, we start living life with intention.

“I should do that,” becomes “This is how I start”. Deliberately forging a path to our goals and dreams, we figure out what we want in life and then start taking steps there.

Of course, striking out may seem scary. It takes courage to live life with purpose and on purpose. Roadblocks and worries, fears and concerns show up everywhere.

This is my passion. I want to help you to find that sense of your own unique play to meet the world so that you can:

  • Create a life that is yours.
  • Find and follow an inner guide in a way that works for you and those you care for.
  • Decide on your obligations and meet them while building the world you want.

Productivity Journal

A Podcast with the Omni Show

I had a wonderful time talking with Andrew Mason as part of the Omni Show. Have a listen to [the podcast here](https://www.omnigroup.com/blog/how-psychiatrist-kourosh-dini-maintains-balance-with-omnifocus).The Omni Show focuses on people who use the Omni Group's...

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These products use or are based on Getting Things Done® or GTD® Principles. They are not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by David Allen or the David Allen Company, which is the creator of the Getting Things Done® system for personal productivity. GTD® and Getting Things Done® are registered trademarks of the David Allen Company For more information on the David Allen Company’s products the user may visit their website at www.davidco.com.