Clop-clop.

Clop-clop.

Do you hear that?

Clop-clop.

Clop-clop

They are coming.

Clop-clop.

Clop-clop.

It's the horsemen.

They are riding towards us.

And if we don't act now, we are going to get trampled.

Alchemist, do you find it hard to work?

If time and effort—aka work—are our only inputs, then it makes sense that if we want better results, we should just work more, right?

In theory, that makes sense.

In practise, there's a whole lot more to it:

• You are too tired to work

• You are too stressed to work

• You are too distracted to focus

• You find there is not enough time

• There are too many commitments in the way

And that's just the surface of it.

It sucks, doesn't it?

You want to be a productivity powerhouse and pour the work into your goals and vision, but it feels like you are constantly in your way.

You feel like you are your worst enemy.

And people will tell you,

"Oh, just get more sleep"

Or

"You're just stressed, go for a walk"

But they are missing the complete picture.

You cannot provide a prescription for a complex issue like personal productivity based solely on surface-level observations.

You must go deeper.

You must understand the Four Horsemen of Productivity:

• Time

• Task

• Energy

• Stress

And then you must tame them.

Let's learn.

Time - The Relentless Galloper

Time is the lone rider that stops for no one.

It constantly presses forward at a constant pace without ever resting.

It neither hurries nor slows for anyone - it simply just moves forward.

It demands we either keep up or be left behind.

You might find that you don't have enough time - that you seem to not have as many hours as the next person.

However, that is simply not the case.

You and your neighbor have the same amount of hours in the day.

But the reason why some can achieve great success, and others not so much, is through one simple fact -

They are more aware of time.

Let me explain.

You cannot control time.

There is nothing you can do to:

• Slow time

• Hasten time

• Increase time

But you can be fully aware of your time:

• Time set for tasks

• Time set for activities

• Time set for deadlines

Which requires:

• Setting a timer for your tasks

• Creating deadlines for your projects

• Blocking off time in your calendar for work

By understanding how much time you’re truly dedicating to your work, you will be able to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t, allowing you to make adjustments that keep you aligned with your priorities.

Those who respect the rider of Time will know how to work with the force rather than against it.

You will be able to ride alongside its unyielding pace and not be trampled underfoot.

Task - The Heavy Guide

Task is the guide that bears the burden of guidance and priority.

Its purpose is to direct focus for the other horsemen toward a meaningful destination.

However, if left unchecked, it can lead them all astray.

Task can become the leader,

Or it can be the guide to destruction.

To set the right tasks that align with our vision demands clarity and discipline.

You must:

• Set clear priorities

• Break tasks into manageable steps

• Work to completion, not perfection

Identify which tasks will have the greatest impact on your goals.

What actions will actually bring you results.

Getting bogged down in the details is one way to lose focus.

Next is to break down larger tasks into smaller, actionable steps.

Having a clear focus on exactly what you need to do is what will get you moving and building momentum.

Clarity is what brings direction.

And direction is everything.

Ensure Task has its destination in focus and its path cleared, and sooner or later, you’ll find yourself reaching exactly where you need to go.

Lastly, don’t be a perfectionist.

At least not when it comes to productivity.

You work not to chase an ideal outcome but instead, to simply complete the task.

Get it done and get to the next one.

Trying to ensure that all the “i’s” are dotted and the “t’s” are crossed will slow momentum down and halt your progress.

When it comes to productivity,

Perfection is an illusion.

Energy - The Ebbed Charger

Energy rides in ebbs and flows.

It can cover great distances, but only when periods of intensity are mindfully paired with times of rest and recovery.

Failure to dance with the dynamics of Energy will risk it burning out too soon, leaving us stranded before we can even reach our destination.

Too much energy used with too little recovery? Burnout.

Too much energy with too little stress? Deterioration.

Both are equally as harmful in our journey.

What we must do instead is to dance with Energy -

Move with the oscillatory nature of it.

Balance periods of high energy expenditure with periods of focused energy renewal.

Practise:

• Intentional breaks

• Prioritising sleep and nutrition

• Aligning work with energy levels

Incorporating small, intentional breaks between periods of intense focus allows you to correctly recharge your body and mind without losing momentum.

These can include:

• Short walks

• Brief stretches

• Deep breathing

Remember - ebb and flow with your work.

Most fundamental, however, is your sleep and nutrition.

To sustain your energy for longer periods, it is vital that you prioritise getting plenty of rest and regularly eating foods that won’t cause you to crash.

Sustained and lasting energy.

No amount of short breaks will matter if your foundation is built haphazardly.

In addition, align your tasks with your energy levels.

Recognise that your natural energy ebbs and flows throughout the day.

Schedule high-energy tasks such as challenging or creative work in your peak hours.

Schedule low-energy and less demanding tasks such as administrative work during your off-hours.

What these hours are, you will need to experiment and find out for yourself.

Your peak hours may be in the morning, or late in the evening.

Your off-hours may be after lunch, or late in the afternoon.

The specifics don't matter, just find out for yourself and align your tasks to it.

Don't fight against the natural cycles of Energy,

Dance with it.

Stress - The Pressing Shadow

Stress is the rider that follows the other horsemen from behind.

Its presence is subtle at first.

But if left unchecked, it can quickly gain momentum - pressing against the other riders and intensifying their every movement.

Stress can skew the reality of Time, weigh heavily on Task, and drain Energy faster than it can recover.

Stress, in controlled amounts, is necessary to ensure we are moving, growing, and not deteriorating.

A system without stress is a system without growth.

However, too much stress and the system can quickly shut down.

Notice the early warning signs:

• Irritability

• Trouble focusing

• Physical tension

These are indications that Stress is pressing too close to us.

We need to return it to its place:

• Practise mindfulness

• Set realistic expectations

• Set boundaries around work

Mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, walking, gratitude, and breathing exercises are all tools at your disposal to remedy stress.

Even practicing just one can relinquish all your pent-up stress, and return you to a state of calm.

Try them all and see which one you prefer.

You might choose to regularly use them all.

But you must have at least one at your disposal for when stress grows too large.

Recall that we spoke about breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps to guide Energy.

The same applies to keeping stress at bay.

Feeling overwhelmed by your tasks can cause stress to take advantage of your vulnerable state.

This can further amplify your doubts to make the challenge feel insurmountable.

Keep focus on the tasks that matter, and ensure they are small enough to actually be accomplished.

Finally, set boundaries.

Separate your work and personal life.

Do not let it spill over.

Defining where work begins and ends will allow your mind to recover, and your body to rest and recharge.

This will keep Stress at bay.

And so, we have now uncovered the Four Horsemen.

We have understood the nature of these forces, and how to ensure we are not trampled by them.

They are powerful forces that can quickly overturn your journey in an instant.

But understand this -

Productivity isn't about eliminating these forces.

Rather, it is learning to ride alongside them, understanding the nature of each horsemen to harness their strengths for our journey.

That way, we are able to create a sustainable, balanced, and optimised approach to our own work to ensure we are continuously progressing forward without burning ourselves out.

I promise you - if you understand and work alongside these forces, your work will be more pleasurable, purposeful, and productive than it has ever been.

Embrace the ride, and let the Four Horsemen guide you forward.

Alchemist, I will see you in the next letter.

— Lachlan