How to 'Break the Matrix'
A simple idea that can change your view on burnout.
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I had a really interesting conversation with a friend of mine on Wednesday, Nick Diodato. He’s the Vice President of Relationships for Gary Vaynerchuk, which requires — as one can probably imagine — a very specific skill set including excellent time management.
Although we agree that the word “busy” is less-than-ideal, I do think it adequately describes the nature of his days. Nick always has a quick call to take, email to send off, or flight to catch with a carry-on at the ready. A friend’s passion project to hype up, a time-sensitive action item on his to-do list, or a connection to make. However, the difference between Nick’s busy and the do-as-much-as-possible busy of some others is that his is entirely rooted in passion and purpose. Nick doesn’t do things just to do things. He’s one of the most intentional men I’ve ever met, with both his time and energy.
I digress; I was on my morning walk the other day heading toward Prospect Park listening to a podcast that mentioned Gary investing in Pickleball (ICYMI, Pickleball is really having a moment). I giggled, and shot him a text. Then, I got to thinking about the nature of his work and asked him if he could carve out 30 minutes or so to have a chat with me about how he does it all. More specifically, his thoughts about burnout (the episode will be live in the feed next week).
One concept we spoke on was so interesting to me that I wanted to bring it here, and that is the benefit of doing something he refers to as “breaking the matrix.” According to Nick, it’s one of the best ways to navigate burnout, which is often caused by too much of the same thing.
Scene: You wake up every day at 6:30 a.m. You do the exact same journaling aside a dim light in your bedroom, followed by the exact same workout, followed by the exact same 5-minute meditation in which you wonder if anything’s ~actually~ happening, and then take the exact same sauntering mental health walk to get the same too-hot coffee from Cassie the barista down the street. You return home to your desk to do your exact same work. You look up the exact same air fryer recipe. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
According to Nick, breaking the matrix means simply being more purposeful about mixing things up. Finding the fun. Doing something different for the sake of experimentation and diversity. Nothing against Cassie, or your go-to meditation app. It doesn’t have to be a complete routine overhaul. It could be something simple, like taking a different route to the coffee shop (or — trying a new one). Dancing in your kitchen while you make breakfast. Finally doing the Duolingo for the language you’ve been telling yourself you’re going to learn for years. (Just a few starter examples.)
There’s research that shows the benefit of a varied exercise program; that diversifying your workout plan can keep a person both motivated and stave off boredom. Are we surprised that the same goes for life?
The same goes life. So, what will you do differently this week? How will you break the matrix?
I’ll report back. Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
What I’m Reading: Speak by Tunde Oyeneyin
Spoiler: Tunde’s Monday’s guest on the show, and I was geeked to get an advanced copy of her book to check out. Releasing on May 3, this is the Peloton instructor’s memoir-manifesto-guide on how to live a life of purpose on purpose. It doesn’t disappoint. A little experiment to see who’s really reading this: I’ve got an extra copy of the book to give away. Comment below with one way you’re going to break the matrix in the coming week, and I’ll select one by EOD Monday, May 2 to send it to.
What I’m Listening To: Chapter 2 from Juke Ross
I rediscovered this pandemic favorite on shuffle the other day, and haven’t been able to take the album off repeat.
What I’m Watching: Yellowstone on Peacock
Finally caved, and now I’m three seasons deep. About the affairs of the Dutton family who owns the biggest ranch in all of Montana, the show gives me West Wing or (a more serious) The Newsroom vibes; super well-written and great acting.
Gear I’m Loving: On Running Cloudmonster
I’ve never regularly reached for a shoe from On Running until this one. It’s big on energy return, cushion, and comfort. Meant for road running (rocks would easily get stuck in the signature On Running “Clouds” AKA strategically placed gaps that work to spring you forward), it provides a super plush feel that I’ve been leaning into for base pace, easy miles.
Quote I’m Loving: “The greatest gift that you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.” - Anthony J. D’Angelo
Thanks to LMNT — an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't — for supporting Hurdle.
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🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 204. Scout Bassett, Paralympian
Born in Nanjing, China, Scout Bassett was abandoned after losing her leg in a fire when she was around 18 months old. She spent the next seven years in an orphanage, living through difficult conditions until she was adopted at age 7 by a family from the United States. She obtained her first running prosthetic at age 14, and then went on to run competitively at UCLA and would be recruited by a head performance director for U.S. Paralympics.
In this week’s episode, we dive into all of this, plus talk about her time competing as a triathlete until she quit her full-time job in 2015, sleeping on couches and inside her car as she trained for the Paralympics. Scout talks about the lessons she's learned through her #hurdlemoments about resilience, her time hosting the Paralympic coverage for NBC, and offers up tips on how to chin up when life feels impossible.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: #HURDLEMOMENT: How to Navigate the Anxiety Trap
This week I'm chatting with Dr. Allison Gabriel, organizational psychologist and professor of management and organizations at University of Arizona, about the anxiety trap. what is it? How do we combat regular anxiety? How do we know it's ~just~ anxiety, versus something else? Plus: Strategies to reel it in over the long haul, and who could be the right person to chat with about your circumstance
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.
I will break the matrix by not checking instagram right after I wake up in the morning.
I broke the matrix by going on a much needed vacation after 2.5 years of burnout and non-stop work. I feel like I was able to untie most of the metaphorical knots that I had built up over the last few years.