Sweet Potato Time Travel
Sweet Potato Time Travel (noun): The strategic act of doing something slowly to ensure you have sustained stability in the future.
I remember going to the bodega as a kid and stocking up on penny candies. You could get a bunch of candies for a penny! We would get a bunch of stuff, then we'd sit on the porch or somewhere outside eating candies and getting a sugar rush. They don't sell penny candies anymore, and those days are long behind us. However, most times we're looking for that quick rush, that sugar spike, that quick boost.
When establishing a goal, you are likely to feel that sugar rush. It's like getting ready for the first day of school. I actually had a cousin who was so excited for the first day of school that he went to sleep in his first day outfit. I know this to be true because my cousins and I had a sleepover so that we could all go to school together. When it was time to go to bed, we all started putting our clothes to the side and prepping our things; meanwhile, he started to get dressed!
We asked him, "Why are you getting dressed now?"
One of his brothers concluded that he was likely making sure everything fit for tomorrow; however, he replied by saying, "I want to wake up ready for school."
We started laughing, but he was so excited for this new school and the first day, he had a sugar rush! And when we are starting something new, despite the fact that there might be some trepidation leading up to the moment, those nerves are followed up by a sugar rush.
Too often, we are chasing the sugar rush. We are chasing a high. In fact, we conclude that if it doesn't make me feel a high, then it won't be right. We think that rush has to be present every day as a confirmation that we are in the right direction. But do you know how many times my cousin went to bed dressed ready for school? Once: the first day. And do you know when you are likely to feel that rush? The first day.
As you get past day 7, day 15, day 45, the rush wears off and has likely disappeared. And if all you are chasing is the rush, you'll likely rush along to the next exciting thing. But let's be honest, strategies aren't sexy! The constant grind isn't attractive. The rush fades and only makes a special appearance like a celebrity showing up on a sitcom. Therefore, you must get behind the rush, the spark, and go for slow.
Think sweet potato. Unlike simple sugars (penny candies) that spike your blood sugar giving you a rush, sweet potatoes digest slowly, thus providing a steady stream of energy. As we work towards our goals, that's what we want! Sweet potato: stable, steady growth. It ain't sexy, I know. But Sweet Potato Time Travel is the strategic act of doing something slowly to ensure you have sustained stability in the future.
Waking up early to go to the gym may not always be a dream come true, but think sweet potato. Studying isn't always sexy, but think sweet potato. It ain't sexy, it won't be posted on social media or touted or bragged upon, but it will allow for sustainability.
Here's the big idea:
Sweet Potato Time Travel (noun): The strategic act of doing something slowly to ensure you have sustained stability in the future.
When others get flashy, you keep it simple. When your pride tries to tell you to compete with others, keep steady. When it seems like you aren't seeing changes now, think of future you. When you aren't feeling that sugar rush, think sweet potato.