Summary

The author reflects on their experience of dealing with a hip injury that derailed their chess career, leading to a realization about the productive use of "dead time."

Abstract

The author, once a dedicated chess player preparing for the European championship, faced a significant setback after breaking their hip. This injury led to a loss of motivation and a shift in focus from chess to pain and regret. The concept of "dead time," a period when one feels stuck and unproductive, is introduced through the author's personal narrative. The author later discovers Ryan Holiday's theory in "The Obstacle Is the Way," which suggests that such periods should be used to one's advantage. Looking back, the author believes they should have utilized the recovery period to improve their chess skills. The lesson learned is that one should always strive to make the most of every situation, regardless of external circumstances, to emerge stronger. This philosophy is presented as universally applicable, encouraging readers to use their time wisely and not wait for better times to take action.

Opinions

The author initially had an extreme approach to chess training, which became unhealthy.
The injury served as a reminder to the author to adopt a more balanced approach to their passion.
The author regrets not using their recovery time more productively to enhance their chess abilities.
There is a critical opinion on the tendency to blame external circumstances instead of taking personal responsibility.
The author emphasizes the importance of making every moment count, as life is finite.
The author advocates for actively creating better circumstances instead of passively waiting for them.
The author encourages readers to share how they can leverage "dead time" and to commit to always giving their best.

Dead Time Doesn’t Mean You’re Dead

My deeply personal story might shock you:

I broke my hip and was in my hospital bed.

Everything I lived for yesterday was dead. “Don’t talk about chess!”, I said.

For the past few months, I have been preparing for the European championship. But, now I knew I wasn’t going there.

After investing hundreds of hours in preparation, I lost all my motivation.

My focus wasn’t on chess anymore. I focused on pain.

On the overwhelming sensations of regret, feeling all the injustice.

The “dead time” came.

Photo by Martha Dominguez de Gouveia on Unsplash

My fellas participated in the tournament and trained hard. But I didn’t.

Although, I planned to return to chess after the injury. I didn’t train.

I focused on short-term regret. Not in the long term.

I could train countless hours daily, planning to become an even stronger, better chess player.

But I didn’t.

I was in the moment. Living the dead time as a dead person.

Before the injury, I was:

Pushing myself hard
Feeling guilt when skipping a training session
Obsessing myself over my play

I was too harsh.

The injury was a reminder.

That I should take a gentler road, but I didn’t listen.

I went from one extreme to the other.
From obsessing, to not caring
From being scared of bad results to regretting the lost opportunity

I made a mistake.

8 years after that, I discovered the “dead time” theory in The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday.

Dead time is a time period, when you feel stuck.

Circumstances are against you
Poor health /mental health
Lack of motivation

So you just give up and wait for better times.

I realized that I should not give up. I needed to train hard. So I could emerge back as a winner.

In those 4 months of recovery, I should have:

Studied countless chess books
Improved my openings
Enhanced my strategic thinking
Played countless online games

That’s how I would become a way better chess player.

That was my lesson:

That I should always try to get the most out of the situation.
That I should never blame circumstances.
That I should always give my best

And that doesn’t apply only to chess. It’s almost universal.

There’re countless examples where people just wait for something to happen:

Finishing a task-> just waiting to start tomorrow
Anticipating a date so much that you just wait for it
Not listening in school because you plan to go to the cinema

While not making anything out of their time.

Maybe that’s you too.

If you find yourself in that description, please make sure to use your time.

“The biggest mistake is you think you have time.”

Buddha

Your time on Earth is limited. One day you’ll die. So make sure to use your time wisely.

To enjoy
To learn
To spend every day of your life on something meaningful
Give your best
Listen attentively

So when you feel like everything is going against you. Stand tall, and try to squeeze everything you can out of the situation.

Never wait for better times… Create them!

Share in the comments:

Do you blame external circumstances? Or do you give your best no matter what?

How can you leverage “dead time” when it arises?

Always give your best and take the responsibility for your life in your own hands!

Check out: Modeling My Mentor’s Passion Was A Huge Mistake