In the past, I've shared a few of the valuable lessons I have learned in my life, including one learned during my corporate days about imperfect action beating perfect inaction.
Another lesson I have learned during my corporate years that is paying dividends right now is the value of narrowing our focus to a low-hanging fruit when the big picture stuff gets murky. To build focus and capacity during an uncertain period by prioritizing doable tasks as you weather a larger (and uncontrollable) storm.
These smaller doable tasks can relate to our personal lives besides work. For instance, it has been tough to go through loss, but what has helped me is to do the small things - like make my bed every morning, drink enough water, try to eat well, brush more regularly, prioritize time in nature, do housekeeping including watering the plants, etc. These small tasks or low-hanging fruits have helped me keep sane as I dealt with some of the tougher aspects of life.
With my work, as I struggled (and still am - although better positioned) with the property battle with my family post my mother's passing - I would feel overwhelmed by it all and would find it very hard to be creative. Instead of pressuring myself with creative work - I took inspiration from my corporate days and the tradition of our subcontinent called riyaz. I focused more on the low-hanging fruit of making sure I spent time practicing and thus being with my art forms including writing, making music, and capturing visuals. Whenever I felt confident and had the time and energy, I shared my work but it has been priceless to have the low-hanging fruit of riyaz for when I couldn't.
Beyond riyaz, the concept also has applied to ‘the work I do put out.’ For example, I haven't been able to record music and share it to the extent I would have liked to. As I build the capacity to get around this, the style-focused posts along with occasional essays around mindful and slow living have served as a low-hanging fruit.
In parting, if you are struggling with meaning and structure in your life at large - I highly recommend bringing your attention and effort to low-hanging fruits in your personal and professional life.
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