I was working on my desk last night trying to come up with today's email idea.

And as I began to draft out some notes, something began to hurt.

No, it was not my head (though, that sometimes hurts when thinking too hard).

In the space of a few seconds, I realised I could not type anymore.

My left thumb was THROBBING

It was a deep, aching pain that got worse and worse with every passing minute.

Every word I typed made my hands flinch away in agony.

I closed my laptop, grateful that I now have a story for today's email, but horrified I might lose my left thumb in the process.

I was grimacing at my table.

"What happened?", Rhea walked by and asked

"I don't know, my left thumb's just flaring up real bad".

"You want some Counterpain for that?", she added.

"No, no. I know what to do".

...

I got up from my chair in excitement.

Rhea backed off, having lived with me for almost a year now—she knew what was coming.

And you're about to learn the same....

....

I raced upstairs

I ransacked my drawers looking for it.

"Where is it?!" I groaned.

I sat down and took a breather.

Oh, I left it charging yesterday so it wasn't in my drawers. It was on the dressing table instead.

I picked it up, hopeful to heal my thumb.

I switched it on, and began my strategy for anything that hurts...

M.U.S.C.L.E

MUSCLE strategy?

This is where you hurryingly scroll down to unsubscribe so that your partner doesn't find out you're reading these emails from a loco.

But yes!

M.U.S.C.L.E

If you haven't figured it out already..

It stands for..

Massage Until Soreness Completely Leaves Everywhere

*Click*

I switched on the massage gun.

And like a newbie jackhammer operator on his first day, I drilled down the head of the massage gun into my left thumb.

*Dhubdhubdhubdhubdhubdhubdhubdhubdhub*

Mmmm, that was hitting the spot...

I moved the gun to the backside of my left thumb.

*Brrrbrrrbrrrbrrrrrbrrrrbrrrrrr*

The gun whirred on as it massaged the thinner side of my thumb, sending vibrations through my hand.

I did this for about 7 minutes, following strict M.U.S.C.L.E protocols.

I kept the gun back in the drawer, and looked at my left thumb.

I wiggled it, stretched it, and moved it in circles.

IT WORKED!

With my left thumb restored to full health, I put it to the ultimate, thumb-destroying test just to make sure.

I switched on my Playstation.

It didn't disappoint, as I had a solid hour of gaming with my friends.

Now, you may not have a massage gun, and you might never need one because someone who wrecks their thumb like me must only be a maniac who spends hours at the computer (I presume you're not the same).

Losing my left thumb would have had terrible consequences to my productivity.

I would have not been able to send out this email, heck, I might have not even been able to work today!

Talk about modern day occupation hazards lol.

So, left thumb, or no left thumb, showing up for yourself must go on.

As you can see how tripped up I got last night, even if you don't need a massage gun to M.U.S.C.L.E your way through a sore thumb, you could use some guidelines on staying productive when facing minor setbacks.

Which I have just for you.

My upcoming productivity course, which I promise is still in the makes now that my left thumb has been nursed to full health again.

Shoot me a productivity question and I might just feature it in the course, or next email!

...

...

...

DISCLAIMER

None of this email is medical advice. Seek actual professional medical help from a licensed doctor (not an ex-doctor writing emails online) if you have unexplained pains. Although, those pains could be from the pain of unproductivity. Seriously though, don't use a massage gun for EVERY pain on your body; use common sense. I wouldn't massage a pimple, a bruise, broken bones, heartbreak, or a headache. I have to write this because some idiot's gonna read this and get themselves into trouble and associate their misfortunes with me. Please don't be that idiot.