Removing or altering non-productive stressors can improve quality of life and propel one towards goals. So can adding optimizers or optimization factors. The larger situation could even be visualized as above like a strategy cloud of contributing factors.
Here’s an artificial stressor that could be removed: Too much social media scrolling or other passive media. The modification here is to moderate exposure so one doesn’t wind up viewing life too much through the lens of say instagram! There are many artificial narratives and caricatures presented in mass media that may create (artificial) anxiety.
An example of an optimization factor to add would be reading about something one’s interested in or taking a walk. The overall lifestyle optimization in this case is a sense of well-being, which would contribute to a number of causes.
Some lifestyle factors are easy to adjust; some are not. It depends on both the conditions and one’s motivation to make a change.
Moving is usually considered a difficult task, but what if one is very excited to do so. That makes it easier. Going to bed earlier is by comparison much more straightforward to execute, but if the night owl habit is ingrained and enjoyed, that can be difficult to change.
It’s all about context and perspective on the advantage of changing something, and what the performance advantage will be.
Say someone drinks alcohol regularly, yet they also want to be in excellent health with a long career and life. Alcohol consumption puts people at performance disadvantage — that’s another article — so that is a limiting factor.
So how can a difficult performance optimization be achieved? By strategizing the change, using incentives, and viewing or visualizing the big picture context. “I feel better when I…”
For those unsure what could be optimized or changed, try looking at what negatively non-productively stresses and then either alter it or remove it from the picture. Again, this isn’t always easy to do. Try looking at what is working as well!
The issue could be time management and prioritizing, it could be as deep as altering the way one thinks to produce a different emotional responses; it could be removing, adding or changing relationships.
It could be as simple as making a list! Or as complex as rocking ones own world by changing careers or other firmly established habits. The latter — those are the hardest.
Why do it? Growth. And the achievement of whatever desired objective.
When identifying what can be optimized and how, consider the goal and what is the most efficient and dare I say enjoyable route.
How can one create this work flow? Sometimes by going with the flow and using what’s working, rather than struggling against what isn’t. Often performance optimization can be achieved by merely tweaking the existing strategy.
Performance goals, the way I see it, are not something to beat oneself over the head with. They’re a reason to keep striving and living. That’s a great longevity strategy. And strategy and experimentation can be fun.
Studio Shangri-La 