Too Many Passions, One Simple Filter.

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Let’s talk about it.

I’ve been thinking about a framework series. Something to dive into on how I truly came to using that process to help me with my multiple interests.

It helps to actually have something to help organise the chaos. That’s funny coming from a guy that always talks about working messy.

That’s because my messy will always be different from others’ messy, but as long as I’m getting results daily, pushing forward and striving for progress, it really doesn’t matter what you use.

I might have briefly spoken about it on threads, so expect that to come soon if you want some systems and frameworks to use.

The beautiful thing is that I apply it to everything now.

Certain systems for work and my interests and frameworks for deep work and gym/football.

So I really just dropped a teaser trailer at the beginning of this week's letter. It happens.

Before all of the systems and frameworks I implement now, I once did nothing.

I wasted time deciding.

Deciding when to start.

How to start.

What systems would be best?

All because I wanted to do everything, and perfectly.

Now I know you know the feeling, because it leads to burnout or overwhelm which is what makes starting something new so difficult.

The warning signs can be subtle and easy to ignore.

All that I needed to establish was a simple and effective solution. A decision tree.

You might have come across a variation of these before, but essentially, it helps you to further establish your ‘why’ by asking yourself questions to see if the interest is something worth picking up.

I needed to identify the ones that are worth my time and help me grow.

So you can't decide between crocheting or taking strolls in the countryside? Who says you have to?

1. Does this new interest genuinely excite me or am I just caught in "shiny object syndrome"?

I've chased countless sparks of inspiration, from launching creative side projects to diving into unexpected hobbies.

I sit with it for 2 weeks before deciding. If the excitement fades, it's a no.

If it wastes too much time or doesn’t help me grow, it's a no.

I've spent years loving things, but now I've honed it down to my interests of gym workouts, playing football, learning French and Arabic, traveling to new places and writing.

Now, when a new idea pops up, I stop and think: Does this really make me happy deep down, or is it just a quick fun thing that will go away soon?

Real joy stays with me; the fast fun doesn't last.

2. Does it complement my existing passions or create synergy?

The best new interests actually enhance what I'm already doing rather than competing for the same time/energy.

Transferable skills can be applied here.

I found that learning languages can be transferable to other areas where communication is key.

Will it make my other passions even better, like mixing travel with writing to share fun stories? If it helps everything work together, it's a good add.

3. What's the minimum viable commitment?

I identify the smallest possible time block (5-15 mins) to make progress.

At the start, the commitment is made so small it's almost impossible to not achieve.

It sounds silly, but in the weeks where I’ve been overwhelmed or too busy, these little amounts still ensured I kept up:

• 10 minutes of reading

• 15 minutes French podcast listening

• 10-minute home workout

• 1 Paragraph of writing

It should really be kept small and simple, with different ways to switch up depending on factors outside of our control.

What's the tiniest step I can take? This way, I test it without messing up my day.

If I can't find that space in my schedule, it's not the right time.

4. What can I let go of?

Over time, handling fitness in the gym and on the football field, studying French and Arabic, exploring new countries, writing ideas, and my job, I've learned to drop old stuff.

Even listing all of that sounds like a lot, but I understand better now that each can help enhance or feed into each other.

For every new interest, something needs to be scaled back.

Letting go makes room for better things.

This forced prioritization ensures I'm intentional about what my energy is put into.

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The bottom line

Nothing complex about it. This just helps ask the simple questions, but these are usually the questions you avoid when picking up anything.

It’s all fun and games until you realise you’ve wasted time or something that hasn’t helped you in any way.

Your challenge for this week:This decision tree has helped me build a portfolio of passions that complement each other. I want you to apply it by seeing what can be picked up and what can be toned down:

• Go through the decision tree for each of your hobbies/interests and see what can be scaled back.

• How do you measure your progress in these areas?

• How consistent are you? Is it a hobby that you do sometimes when you feel like it or is it a recurring passion?

• Which interests feed into or complement each other?

• Which interests do you find difficult to maintain and why?

I advocate the physical, mental and spiritual wins a little too much, but who would I be if I didn’t have interests in these areas? Especially ones that complement each other.

So if your creative passions are draining you mentally, you need a physical passion to help you stay fit and give your brain a rest.

I’ve done things half-assed before.

I have a lot of half-finished projects.

But now I’m selfish with my time and energy.

If it makes you happy, do it.

But if it doesn’t make you grow as a person, cut it out.

I’d love to see your answers to the above, or if you want to discuss this further, feel free to reach out on Instagram @liftlangleon.

Till next time, peace.