As she skated at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics…

Joannie Rochette didn't know she was about to experience a loss more devastating than any judge's score could ever be.

Just 2 days before her women’s figure skating finals…

The young Canadian’s mother died from a heart attack.
 
Joannie’s mother had been with her every step of her career... 

From her first lesson to thousands of early morning practices in cold, dark hockey rinks.
 
Joannie had a difficult decision to make.
 
To quit... or go on.
 
Joannie chose to skate.
 
When she stepped onto the ice, the crowd — and a nation — went silent.

In her coach's words, it was, “the best she ever skated”.
  
And when she finished her routine…

Joannie dropped her head and sobbed as the crowd gave her a standing ovation.

That performance earned her the bronze medal...
 
And it’s a moment that still brings a tear to my eye today.

But I’m not sharing this story to bring on the waterworks…

The reason I’m telling you this is to point out 2 things:
 
#1) Joannie Rochette was a pro.
 
She had every reason imaginable to take the path of least resistance...
 
To say she couldn’t focus...
  
To quit.
 
But instead, Joannie chose to do something else…

#2) She used the powerful mental tool of compartmentalization.
 
Joannie Rochette showed us you can focus despite overwhelming distraction... 

That you can perform at the highest level even in worst-case scenarios...

And that it’s possible to protect our minds even when all the world is losing theirs.
 
“If you want to be effective in business,” says Naval Ravikant, “you need a clear, calm, cool, collected mind.”
 
“A happy, calm, peaceful person will make better decisions and have better outcomes. So, if you want to operate at peak performance, you've to learn how to tame your mind.”
 
Joannie did.
 
So how can YOU?

When death, divorce, or family drama shake up our lives…

When governments… the economy… even whether or not schools will remain open all seem uncertain...
 
How can you keep your wits about you when you’re worried about your family or future?
 
The answer is compartmentalization.
 
Think of this as time-blocking ... or mind-blocking... for your emotions.
 
There is a time and place for getting stuff done... even during a period of fears and tears.
 
Compartmentalization is what allows you to write a book in 6 weeks to hit a deadline while watching your old dog live out his dying days... 

… And then take him to the vet for that dreadful final day — as I did with Bally in 2018 while writing Unstoppable.
 
Compartmentalization is what allows pro entrepreneurs to simultaneously experience the fear of bankruptcy... family loss... and marital stress…

… While turning around a business and making it profitable again (as I watched a friend do three years ago).
 
If you are a pro (and I believe you are)...
 
Then you must compartmentalize and organize your life to accommodate responsibility, work, and duties.
 
From 6 to 7:30am... you block out everything else to write that sales letter, chapter of your book, video script, or email launch sequence.

And then at 7:31am you give yourself permission to weep for your loss... or to feel the anger at how the world seems to be turning against... or to Google search the knowledge you need to protect your family.
 
Compartmentalization is the ultimate in being present.
 
But let me be clear...

I am NOT telling you to never be sad... to never deal with those problems that are eating you up inside.

Instead, I’m simply telling you that you have to assign them a compartmentalized time.

Likewise, you must assign your work to a compartmentalized time where you are focused, and refuse to give in to the temptation to “Google a fact so you can win a Covid argument with your mother-in-law.”

There’s a time and place for that...
 
But it’s not the same time block as client work, copywriting, or sales calls.
 
Different compartments.

Different focus.

Different times.
 
Now...

Compartmentalization is not easy.
 
But neither is staying off Instagram during your magic time.
 
However, the ability to do so is what separates the Warriors and Winners from the frustrated and paralyzed-by-fear in these dangerous times.
 
Master your mind.
 
Master your game time emotions.
 
Master your ability to compartmentalize, by practicing daily.
 
And you’ll earn a standing ovation for your performance too.

Success Loves Speed,

Craig