From Starlink to Traffic Jams: A Lesson for Maintaining Higher Performance

When things go wrong, focus on staying productive—without wasting energy on actions that give the illusion of control.

I sat down to write my first essay for the cohort, only to discover my Internet connection was down.

On the mountain I rely on Starlink for internet. While it's generally reliable, outages do happen. Rebooting doesn't usually clear the problem.

I needed to learn to wait until the service is back online.

But rebooting feels like I’m taking control — a small attempt to optimise my environment. It reminds me of when I’m stuck in traffic on the motorway, I'll often take the next exit. It may not always get me there quicker, but at least I’m moving.

There's a compulsion to try different strategies.

Ever find yourself taking action rather than waiting for situations to improve?

Up here, mobile reception is another challenge. It fluctuates between 3G and 5G but I’ve found that performance isn’t any different.

Of course, I could take action — hike up the road to a higher spot where the signal improves. But working outdoors, exposed to the elements, isn't an ideal solution. It's not exactly like a Hipster-infested coffee house.

The views may look romantic, but it’s not the most efficient workspace.

Instead, right now I’m focused on maximising performance in my current situation, with the tools at hand. That means finding ways to stay productive without unnecessary actions. My goal isn't to survive these limitations but to thrive despite them.

High performers seek ways to perform at their best, even under less-than-perfect conditions.