Mastering the 10% Rule

Hey friends,

Welcome to the V2 of my Newsletter format. I've found a better way to share insights, learnings, and tips with you that all the people I've pitched it to have genuinely enjoyed. Now it is here for You; enjoy - Welcome to the New Nordic Way Journal.

The arrival of spring can't be unnoticed in Finland and the New Nordic region. The grey is turning green, and with-it new life fills the cities. While this is something we wait for as much as kids wait for Santa to come with presents at Christmas, I must admit it has unexpectedly affected my daily routine. The season's beauty has been a distraction, causing me to step away from the habit-building efforts I have worked on so diligently over the winter months.

For the past 6 months, I've been aiming to maintain a habit of focus, discipline, and healthy choices on a structured basis each day to enhance results, personal growth, and self-care. I've built a structure around all segments of life, including bedtime, screen time, training, stimulants, learning, and self-development. However, with the shift of seasons, it all started crumbling down piece by piece, and I have only managed to stay on track with a fraction of this schedule.

Personal development often takes the backseat when life becomes busier or nature calls, as it does this time of the year. Of course, social life, nature, and enjoying the summer are essential, but I'm learning that this approach of just pivoting my development journey could be more fruitful.

Life isn't about choosing either or living in the extremes. I need to learn to find a balance and prioritize those things that bring the highest long-term reward.

Most of the self-development activities are challenging. Our brain is tricky because it fights against us doing the hard things. The sun is shining, and friends, as you are out in the evening for a beer, is one option, while a "more" productive one might be staying home reading a book, writing, and reflecting and meditating. Which do you think your brain drives you to do?

So what the past months of focusing on the hard things hast taught me is that there are a set of non-negotiables I must stick to for me to grow long-term. While in the summer, I can't daily focus 100% of my effort on work, I must choose the most essential elements, make a rule about it, and stick to that at least.

Here is what I mean more in detail:

Four habits make the foundation of my growth and self-development:

1. Training,
2. Reading,
3. Writing/Reflecting
4. Mediation

For example, taking an hour to read a good book and reflect, for instance, often leads to far greater productivity and creativity than spending that hour bar hopping. The mental rejuvenation of these self-care activities can't be matched.

The challenge, therefore, is to recalibrate my thinking about these habits. I've been treating my self-care blocks as flexible time slots, which can be reduced or even eliminated if something else arises, as the past six months have focused solely on work and growth. However, as I look at the routines of those I admire, they have plenty of time to enjoy the fun, which made me realize that they prioritize self-care with a sacred reverence.

So, I've been reflecting on a couple of strategies:

1. Choose your non-negotiables: I started by identifying the activities that yield the best result of investment for your long-term well-being. Often these are core activities within health, wealth, and happiness, such as exercise, learning, and journaling.
2. Allocate specific blocks: I must set aside particular times for each weekly activity. For instance, I have blocked out at least 60 minutes for training, 45 minutes for reading, 30 minutes for writing, and 15 minutes for meditation daily.
3. Treat these blocks as non-negotiable: I need to shift my mindset to view these blocks as the indispensable, not optional free time that can be filled with other tasks.

From a percentage perspective, this sums up to just 10% of the day. Isn't that crazy? So by dedicating 10% of my day to these activities, I will be left with 90% time for all other things while consistently boosting my personal development and well-being. The beauty of this 10% is that it makes me 10% better every day, which will grow all the other areas of my life. Adding an extra 10% of work to an already busy 8-hour workday would only result in a marginal 10% increase in productivity.

Anyone can dedicate 2 hours a day to do this, and when doing it, you can enjoy the rest of the day with no guilt; you are enjoying the summer to its fullest.

Realizing this blew my mind.

So, here's to a week of embracing the 10% rule. My model includes an hour of physical training, 45 minutes of reading, 30 minutes of writing, and a 15-minute meditation session.

I'll keep you updated on my progress, and my journey can also be a reminder for you.

Have a fantastic week!

Sincerely,

Ronny Eriksson

?? New Nordic Way Weekly Feed

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???Event?–?Unicorn Night Estonia 2023?at?Latitude 2023. On May 24th, join us for Unicorn Night Estonia 2023, presented by the New Nordic Way as a part of Latitude 59. This is the event of the year for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to accelerate their careers and take control of growth the Unicorn way. Held at the prestigious Estonian Business School, this event is not to be missed. Sign up here:?Unicorn Night Estonia 2023

???Event?– New Nordics with?VNTRS?at Latitude 2023. Discover the power of sweat equity for startups at our fireside chat. Learn how this model can help you build your business without needing large sums of capital. Enjoy snacks, drinks, networking, and a sweet ride to the Latitude party. Join us and take your startup to the next level! We are launching some cool news so stay tuned.?Sign up here:?New Nordics with VNTRS

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?? My Favourite Things

????Podcast?–?The Koe Cast. Dan Koe is one of my favorite creators who talks about what modern work/life is all about. He explains his podcast: Every week, I deconstruct one big idea around creative work, human behavior, and mental philosophy while giving you practical insights on how to apply these teachings to your life. We are dedicated to dissecting topics for you: spirituality, personal growth, psychology, social media, business, health, fitness, philosophy, culture, and everything else that will lead to a life of freedom and happiness.

???Book?–?No Bullsh*t Leadership. This book is a no-nonsense guide to effective, authentic leadership. It complements the principles of New Nordic Leadership, emphasizing practical decision-making, open communication, and change embracement. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to implement human-centric, trust-focused leadership. It changed my take on leadership.

???Audiobook?–?The Hard Things about Hard Things. I love listening to books, and this one was one of those I started to take extra walks for to have more time to listen to it. This book by Ben Horowitz is a must-read book that explores the challenges entrepreneurs face and provides valuable insights on overcoming them. It resonates with the New Nordic principles of embracing adversity and resilience in pursuit of success. By sharing his personal experiences and practical advice, Horowitz inspires readers to tackle difficult situations head-on, make tough decisions, and navigate uncertain times. This book is essential for anyone seeking to build a successful business while embodying the core values of the New Nordic movement.

???Earbuds?–?OnePlus Pro Buds 2. I had a pair of OnePlus Pro Buds in the fall. Unfortunately, I lost the case on my way home from a party (classic Ronny). After losing them, I thought I would survive without them and could stick to using my Sony-1000xm4 headphones. This was true until I built a habit of running. The Sony headphones are not meant for this. The past month I gave a couple earbuds a try but returned them as they didn't fit my ears nor my audiovisual liking the same way the OnePlus Pro Buds did. So, this week I bought the new version OnePlus Pro Buds 2 a couple months after their launch. These are epic in many ways. I'm a huge fan of OnePlus, and my phone is also from them. They pair with my phone in both tech, usability, and style. They feel amazing, sound incredible and have a battery life that extends all my dreams. Recommend giving them a try.

?? My Latest Video

???Podcast?- Overcoming Busyness & Achieving Goals: Reidar Wasenius' Insights. I love making videos and podcasts but struggle with consistently making them happen. I hope this is something I can change ASAP. Despite that, I've gotten some videos out there, and my latest podcast is done with Reidar Wasenius. With his background rooted in a supportive environment, Reidar has developed unique strategies to combat busyness, such as embracing embarrassment and observing keenly. His empathetic approach and expertise make him a valuable source of wisdom for those seeking control and achievement. In this video, you'll learn how to conquer hectic schedules, embrace the present moment, unlock your potential, build resilience, and align personal aspirations with societal expectations. Watch it here:?Overcoming Busyness & Achieving Goals: Reidar Wasenius' Insights

?? Quote of the Week

"If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader"?– Dolly Parton.

From No Bullsh*t Leadership by Chris Hirst.