Steve Jobs once said, “When fishermen cannot go out to sea, they repair their nets. In simple terms, even if you’re not doing your main thing, always do something that relates to your main thing.”

Do the main thing.
Or always work on something that supports and enhances that main thing.

That’s true focus.

Look, there are days I don’t feel like I’m very productive. There are even some days when I feel like I don’t want to do much of anything at all!

I just am a little burnt out; I need to rest, I’ll tell myself.

But all that simply means is I need to focus on doing the little things that keep me engaged. Small steps but in the right direction. I can always take some action, no matter how big or small, that continually moves the ball forward.

And I find that just taking that first step makes all the difference, helping me break through the mindset that I am stuck or tired or burn out. Soon, I am energized and have momentum, remembering why I do what I do and who I try to help.

This is true in all aspects of life, including fitness, self-improvement, learning, family, and just everything.

It’s OK to not be 100% all the time. But it’s never OK to not give 100%. However, that 100% may look different on different days, times, moods, and points in your life.

But it’s all preparation for when you’re ready to go “out to sea.”

When there are no fish, repair the nets!

-J.D.