Excitement, micro wins, and giving myself permission to be proud of what I’ve done
Experiment Field Notes〔 Edition 02 〕
OVERVIEW
Excitement, micro wins, and giving myself permission to be proud of what I’ve done
4 Day Work Week Experiment
⟬ 2025 Edition № 02 ⟭ Apr 12-18
RELATED POST
Here’s where I’m at…
I’m still in this interwoven mix of ideating to building stages in both my Business Season and Project Phase. None of this feels like a straight line. In fact, I’m hopping around different rabbit holes, wrapping my head around these brilliant ideas for where I’ll take this Substack.
One big step forward was clarifying my positioning, relaunched my paid perks and offers, and better organized my core content on Substack. I finally got A LOT of what I had wanted to get done, especially tasks that have been on the back burner since I hadn’t figured out those elements just yet prior.
Some of it was procrastination because I didn’t want to make a decision yet. Some because I didn’t have the framework or full perspective until I created the 4 Day Work Week Experiment and the Work OS Sandbox. Some just were not a priority until now.
I still have that to do list from hell, which I do set into flames every now and then. I still feel that guilt of not doing all the “right” things, such as responding to amazing comments from you guys, engaging on Notes, interacting with other Substack creators, etc.
Right now, I’m giving myself a lot of self compassion as I take things step by step, and honoring the phase I’m currently in—minimizing external influences to focus on actualizing the wisdom I have within.
The old me would’ve tried to do it all, scattering my attention and forcing myself to keep showing up, even when it feels off. It feels scary to “drop the ball” and do things differently. But if I want to trust my inner wisdom, I can’t do it selectively on a whim. I have to trust it all… even if it goes against common growth strategies.
Factors to consider
I was part of a Substack bootcamp this week, which meant super early mornings and plenty of followthrough after. It delivered everything I wanted to address, but that also meant I had to choose very wisely what to sacrifice, so I could do these clarifying, deep dives to convey my vision and mission.
Referential context
AVERAGE WORK DAY HOURS
7am to 7pm (- 2 hrs for meals - 1.5 hrs of personal time)
🔼 improvements from last week!
WORK DAYS PER WEEK
5 days
🔼 one less day!
FOOTNOTES
It’s continual work in progress. Bonus: I loved diving into reading again in the evenings.
Where you can take this…
Focus on Your Work Identity
Reconsider…
Is this really creative flow—or just a more romantic flavor of overworking?
Ask yourself:
Am I following inspiration… or chasing productivity dressed up as purpose?
What feels urgent right now—and who decided it had to be?
Can I trust this idea to still be there tomorrow morning?
What would it look like to honor the spark without defaulting to action?
Sometimes our most “inspired” moments carry an undercurrent of pressure we don’t notice right away. Especially when we love what we do! But what if alignment doesn’t mean always saying yes to the muse immediately? Cultivate your ability to discern when to pause when it’s needed. You don’t have to earn your rest, even when the work feels good.
You can be lit up and walk away for the night. That’s self trust in action.
Experiments to explore
🧱 If you're feeling STUCK…
You might be caught in a cycle where every creative spark feels like something you “should” act on. The fear of missing the moment can become a quiet form of pressure, even when the idea is brilliant.
Try this journal prompt:
“What would trusting my creativity to return—on my terms—look like?”You’re allowed to savor the moment without sprinting into output.
🧪 If you want to EXPLORE…
You’re noticing how your energy rises at unexpected times. What if you can find a way to hold those sparks without becoming beholden to them?
Try this:
Create a late night “idea drop zone.” Whether it’s a voice note, a Notion page, or a sticky note, the goal is to catch the idea without committing to act on it yet.Observe how your body feels when you hold the idea without moving into urgency.
📐 If you're ready to REFINE…
You’ve started noticing that even aligned work can deplete you if it’s not time aware. This is your chance to build in subtle systems that honor your rhythms.
Try this:
Look at how you currently treat “after hours” time. Ask: “What boundaries would I need to protect both rest and creativity?”Then try one small shift: a wind-down buffer, an auto-snooze on work apps, or a nightly reflection to reconnect with your body before choosing action.
Every seemingly nonlinear detour you take is still part of the path forward.
You don’t have to rush clarity or force momentum. You just have to stay honest with where you are and keep choosing what aligns… even when it goes against what the growth gurus tout or what your old tendencies have been.
Your natural rhythm is not a problem to fix. It’s a compass to trust.
P.S. If this gave you permission to feel better about your own progress, tap the 🧡. Share or restack this post to help someone else protect their energy without shutting down their creative spark.