Decisions I Don’t Make

Alex Guillien
Aug 25, 2017 · 5 min read

Our life is frittered away by details…Simplify, simplify…A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.

Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Automation of menial tasks is an important part of my life. The choice of not having a variety of clothes, not eating breakfast, and having daily morning practices removes decision-fatigue.

[Read Business Insider’s article on why Obama and Zuckerberg wear the same thing every day here.]

It makes sense. Why put effort everyday into mundane tasks? Why not reserve decisions for the most important tasks? It’s not that I want to be like Obama, Steve Jobs, and Zuckerberg; I trust their experience and test it out. If it works for me, I adopt it into my existence. If not, I learned.

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris has been a wealth of wisdom since receiving it. From the chapter on Derek Sivers’…

“If it’s not a Hell Yes, it’s a NO.”

Instead of eating breakfast, I practice intermittent fasting (IF). Basically, I stop eating at a certain time and don’t eat until 16–20 hours later. This isn’t a hard and fast rule; sometimes it needs to be broken. But it is an 80–90 percent of the time practice.

What I’ve noticed in body leanness, better questions and creativity (most importantly) have been life-changing.

Am I busy? No, I’m doing a lot but I’m in control.

In Tools of Titans, Derek Sivers says,

‘Busy,’ to me, seems to imply ‘out of control.’ Like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so busy. I don’t have any time for this shit!’ To me that sounds like a person who’s got no control over their life.

That’s the alternative. I need to know the alternative. And again, if it’s a No, I go to the opposite end to explore.

This has been tested, re-tested, failed at numerous times, and re-hashed to make it fit into my life. Many things were altered including my exercise/training regimen.

Instead of training heavy I have pivoted to a bodyweight-centered approach. I utilize weights when I feel like it with kettlebell swings, Turkish get-ups, dumbbell presses, etc. But it’s an add-on to my bodyweight; it’s extra work right now.

This daily bodyweight practice removes any thought of exercise. I do the same thing every day. Now, I have probably earned this right after building up a solid foundation through years of squatting, snatching, clean and jerking, etc. Ultimately, however, it filters into my creative lifestyle.

Moving into food, this is how intermittent fasting has been of great value. It was not a great plan when training heavy and I wouldn’t recommend it. However, with the change in my exercise practice intermittent fasting blends well.

I’m not the only one to notice the productivity and mental clarity associated with IF either. [See here for Psychology Today’s article]

On a side note, intermittent fasting teaches better body awareness in regards to hunger. I am comfortable being in slight hunger discomfort. This is an invaluable skill I have acquired through practice. Being able to monitor hunger levels and not HAVE to eat just because you’ve gone 3 hours without food is empowering.

So I’ve reduced decisions through wardrobe, exercise, and eating. What else have I done to reduce decisions?

I don’t do hair. I shave my head. Easy enough. As Jocko Willink says, it has no utility.

News, politics, religion, television series (I’ve never seen Game of Thrones; I’m sure it’s awesome though from what I hear), and anything related to furniture. My mom thinks it’s crazy not to have furniture but I don’t want to have to decide on sitting.

For one, it’s not a healthy practice and it bothers my back/hips to sit. Second, there are many things associated with furniture. First, you have to pay for it. Then you have to bring it into the house. Then, when you move you must remove it. Why would I want to put myself through that for a place to sit? To me, it doesn’t add up. And I’m ok with being weird.

Rainn Wilson relates to being himself…(Yes, Dwight Schrute ladies and gentlemen)

But after I finished that show, I thought: ‘You know what, fuck it. I’m never doing that again…I can’t. Life is too short. I’m too miserable, and I’ve got to be me as an actor. I have to bring who I really am as a human being to my acting. So I’m offbeat and I’m odd. I’m a weirdo. I buy shirts at the thrift store, and this is who I am, and this is who I have to be.’

In regards to news, rooting for sports politics, religion, and television series — it’s not a matter of “on my high horse”, it is simply not in my best interest. I’ve been into that stuff in the past and it depressed me. It led me away from my highest aim (listen here). So through my direct experience, I have decided they are not worth my time. Many people CAN handle these things and operate well. I’m just not one of them.

One of Naval Ravikant’s maxim’s on working for someone, but translate it to doing things you don’t like, add value to you, hate, etc…

If you can’t see yourself working with someone for life, don’t work with them for a day.

And some more maxims…

What you choose to work on, and who you choose to work with, are far more important than how hard you work.

If you eat, invest, and think according to what the ‘news’ advocates, you’ll end up nutritionally, financially, and morally bankrupt.

A few other things include staying out late, partying, and 99% of the time — drinking. I need sleep. I value sleep. I don’t have the fear of missing out (FOMO) anymore. If people cannot accept my choices (as long as I’m not hurting anyone) then I suppose we are not meant to hang out.

This may make me boring or appear to be haughty. I’m not here to change your mind on appearances (except that you shouldn’t trust them). By saying no to these things I am also saying no to small talk conversations with these topics because I have nothing to add; which is ok. I just practice listening if I enjoy being around that person. If not, I find a lull in the conversation to exit. Nothing against the person, I just value my time.

There are no rules; make the rules that work for you. If something doesn’t work for you, don’t do it!

[I’m not sure who said this]

In strength,

Coach G

)
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade