Well, I haven't posted in a very long time.
To give an update, I have pretty much stayed on track with my daily tasks. I'm a little lacking on eating enough fruits and veggies but I have added yoga to my exercise routine. I obviously haven't been posting my updates. The rest I have pretty much kept on track with while adding a few more goals as well! Looking back at my previous posts, I can see the slight edge at work in my life.
The sub-title for this blog no longer applies:
This is a personal journal tracking my Goals and Daily Disciplines for 2010! Feel free to look up different topics but if you want to follow my "journey" I recommend starting at the beginning.
I will also be removing my checklist, I'm keeping track of my daily disciplines on my mobile device. It's more readily available and it reminds me of my "TO DOs".
However, this blog will still be my thoughts on my journey of improving everyday through the slight edge principle. Along the way there will be random thoughts and general news and information.
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Showing posts with label slight edge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slight edge. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, May 24, 2010
Worry, Worry, Worry
This month the book in my reading program is, "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" by Dale Carnegie. I had mixed feelings about this book. First, I looked forward to having a book I hadn't read before. I always love new material. Second, I love "How to Win Friends" by Dale Carnegie. Third, I'm not a worrier, never have been, always saw the glass as half full. So how much could I really get out of the book?
I think some worry comes naturally to parents, especially moms of teenagers. If your kid isn't home on time you're sure that they are dead in a ditch. But if they aren't dead, you're gonna kill 'em! But I don't think that's the kind of worry this book was going to talk about. It isn't.
Well, I was going along reading, finishing most parts of the book with a "DUH!" Especially part three, "How to Break the Worry Habit Before it Breaks You". Most of those rules, I already live my life by. Summarized in my words: Keep busy, don't sweat the small stuff, what's the odds, outta my control, can't do anything about it and what's done is done.
Then life threw me a curve ball. My 16 year old started having strange medical things happening. They seemed to all be minor and non-related. He is an athlete and has had NOTHING his whole life. He had chickenpox as a toddler. That's it, no flu, no colds, no disease at all. He did get kicked in the face once during a race and he broke his arm too. That is his complete medical history. So it was a little disturbing when things started happening. Then as they had him hooked up to an EKG, I was commenting that I vaguely remember a pediatrician saying of one of my babies, that he, "...heard a slight palpitation. It was usually something babies grew out of." It was so minor that I had forgotten even which kid. The nurse then said something, as she watched his EKG, that is still echoing in my brain, "Ya... well... it was probably him" Next thing I know, we are referred to a cardiologist for further testing.
WOW, worry, worry, worry... Ok let's flip through the book. What can help with this? Part One: Rule 1: Live in "day-tight compartments"; don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow. This didn't help; I am worried about his health, RIGHT NOW! Rule 2: What's the worst that can happen? Prepare yourself for the worst. NOT GOOD!!! Rule 3: Worry will just stress you out. Still not helping!!! Ok Part Two: Rule 1: Get the facts. Ok that helps a little, we don't even know yet what is going on. It could be very minor. That's a little better. Rule 2: Come to a decision. Well, no decision to be made yet. Rule 3: Carry out your decision. Rule 4: Write out and answer the following questions: What am I worrying about? What can I do about it? Ah-Ha! That helps! What am I worrying about? My son's health. What can I do about it? Get him the best possible medical treatment. We're doing that. He has a cardiologist appointment next week, and then we will get the facts and make whatever decisions need to be made… then. Again, it might be nothing major. That's all we can do for now, back to living in "day-tight compartments".
I now realize this is again, the slight edge principle. Dale Carnegie asks,
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
I think some worry comes naturally to parents, especially moms of teenagers. If your kid isn't home on time you're sure that they are dead in a ditch. But if they aren't dead, you're gonna kill 'em! But I don't think that's the kind of worry this book was going to talk about. It isn't.
Well, I was going along reading, finishing most parts of the book with a "DUH!" Especially part three, "How to Break the Worry Habit Before it Breaks You". Most of those rules, I already live my life by. Summarized in my words: Keep busy, don't sweat the small stuff, what's the odds, outta my control, can't do anything about it and what's done is done.
Then life threw me a curve ball. My 16 year old started having strange medical things happening. They seemed to all be minor and non-related. He is an athlete and has had NOTHING his whole life. He had chickenpox as a toddler. That's it, no flu, no colds, no disease at all. He did get kicked in the face once during a race and he broke his arm too. That is his complete medical history. So it was a little disturbing when things started happening. Then as they had him hooked up to an EKG, I was commenting that I vaguely remember a pediatrician saying of one of my babies, that he, "...heard a slight palpitation. It was usually something babies grew out of." It was so minor that I had forgotten even which kid. The nurse then said something, as she watched his EKG, that is still echoing in my brain, "Ya... well... it was probably him" Next thing I know, we are referred to a cardiologist for further testing.
WOW, worry, worry, worry... Ok let's flip through the book. What can help with this? Part One: Rule 1: Live in "day-tight compartments"; don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow. This didn't help; I am worried about his health, RIGHT NOW! Rule 2: What's the worst that can happen? Prepare yourself for the worst. NOT GOOD!!! Rule 3: Worry will just stress you out. Still not helping!!! Ok Part Two: Rule 1: Get the facts. Ok that helps a little, we don't even know yet what is going on. It could be very minor. That's a little better. Rule 2: Come to a decision. Well, no decision to be made yet. Rule 3: Carry out your decision. Rule 4: Write out and answer the following questions: What am I worrying about? What can I do about it? Ah-Ha! That helps! What am I worrying about? My son's health. What can I do about it? Get him the best possible medical treatment. We're doing that. He has a cardiologist appointment next week, and then we will get the facts and make whatever decisions need to be made… then. Again, it might be nothing major. That's all we can do for now, back to living in "day-tight compartments".
I now realize this is again, the slight edge principle. Dale Carnegie asks,
Do you put off living in the present in order to worry about the future, or to yearn for some "magical rose garden over the horizon"?... Do you sometimes embitter the present by regretting things that happened in the past?... Do you get up in the morning determined to "Seize the day"?He also quoted the following poem by Kalidasa:
Salutation to the DawnThat's living on the eighth day, not "some day" or "wish I would have", but today!
Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of beauty,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Details
As John Maxwell says, "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just a little extra." I see it as the minor details. As I'm looking at my checklist again, I can see that there is just one or two little details that I am missing. I've fallen back into "comfortable". For example, I do read every night, but not quite sure I'm getting in the full 10 pages. Judging from where I'm at in this month's book, I'm pretty sure... NOT! Actually, if you divide the number of pages by the number of days in the month, you get 3 as the average. Not even half way to 10!!! I have been listening to audio in my car instead of the radio to make up for not listening because of not exercising. There are two problems with that game plan. First, I should just be exercising AND listening to audio instead of finding another way to listen without exercising. Second, I am not in the car that much, it takes all of 5 minutes to go to and from my son's school. That's only 10 minutes of audio a day. Not quite the same as 30 minutes uninterrupted. I guess what I have been doing is better than doing nothing but it's not that little "extra". I don't want to be ordinary. Who does? So this week I am focusing on the details, that little "extra" in each on of my areas. Come to think of it, I guess that's another definition for the slight edge, that little "extra", the minor details!
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
21 Days!
21 days today!!! It is definitely feeling like a habit to do my daily disciplines. I wouldn't call it an ingrained habit yet but it's getting there. I'm almost done with my monthly book, long before the end of the month! My attitude is much more positive thanks to the audios and lots of communication with Jeff. My payoff plan is going well. We had a couple of unexpected expenses pop up and were able to handle those. Over the last two days my prayer partner and I have recieved news of at least half a dozen prayer requests that have been answered (yes prayer works). I bounced back from my fibro flair pretty quickly AND I am down 3 pounds!
So they're small gains but for only 21 days... Let's multiple that out over 6 months... 6 months = 180 days (rounding) 180/21 = 8.6 (rounding again) 8.6 x 3 (pounds) = that's 26 pounds!!! That would put me 3 pounds lower than my lowest adult weight EVER! The slight edge at work.
I heard something today on my audio that exactly summarized why I am doing so well at this. I have had many people say, "Oh you're so disciplined" or "I don't have that much self control". Well, I'm here to say NEITHER DO I! The reason this has worked is in this quote (sorry don't have the source)
When performance is measured performance improves,
When performance is measured AND reported the rate of improvement accelerates.
First, I have my check list of daily disciplines and am checking it daily (performance measured).
Second, I am reporting it, to all who read my blog AND to my abandonment ladies on email AND my prayer partner who unwittingly got made a part of my disciplines AND my husband, Jeff, who reads AND comments on my blog daily. In other words, I have a lot of eyes looking at me and whether I am going to do what I say. That's not even counting my kids who are watching and commenting on me doing my checklist. That reporting to others is what causes my rate of improvement to accelerate.
I've heard many people say that they are going to quit smoking, or quit drinking, or diet or read their Bible daily... but I don't want to tell anyone "in case I fail". Well, they are GOING to fail, simply because they aren't telling anyone. Another word for it is accountablity, if you are accountable to more than just yourself, it makes it easier to stick to the daily disciplines. So whatever it is that you want to accomplish. Tell many people about it, get a philosophy about it AND report to them daily. It sure makes it easier to stick to it.
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
check Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
So they're small gains but for only 21 days... Let's multiple that out over 6 months... 6 months = 180 days (rounding) 180/21 = 8.6 (rounding again) 8.6 x 3 (pounds) = that's 26 pounds!!! That would put me 3 pounds lower than my lowest adult weight EVER! The slight edge at work.
I heard something today on my audio that exactly summarized why I am doing so well at this. I have had many people say, "Oh you're so disciplined" or "I don't have that much self control". Well, I'm here to say NEITHER DO I! The reason this has worked is in this quote (sorry don't have the source)
When performance is measured performance improves,
When performance is measured AND reported the rate of improvement accelerates.
First, I have my check list of daily disciplines and am checking it daily (performance measured).
Second, I am reporting it, to all who read my blog AND to my abandonment ladies on email AND my prayer partner who unwittingly got made a part of my disciplines AND my husband, Jeff, who reads AND comments on my blog daily. In other words, I have a lot of eyes looking at me and whether I am going to do what I say. That's not even counting my kids who are watching and commenting on me doing my checklist. That reporting to others is what causes my rate of improvement to accelerate.
I've heard many people say that they are going to quit smoking, or quit drinking, or diet or read their Bible daily... but I don't want to tell anyone "in case I fail". Well, they are GOING to fail, simply because they aren't telling anyone. Another word for it is accountablity, if you are accountable to more than just yourself, it makes it easier to stick to the daily disciplines. So whatever it is that you want to accomplish. Tell many people about it, get a philosophy about it AND report to them daily. It sure makes it easier to stick to it.
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
check Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Getting better every day!
Today was even better. Although I didn't connect with my prayer partner so had to do the praying solo... just not the same. Good but not the same.
Dr. Chet wrote for the 30 pound club (http://www.drchet.com/) the "50 Bit Fills". These are simple little exercises you can fill in the 30 second bits you have through out the day. For example, stand up and sit down five time when you send an email. Well, if you've seen the news, we have had pouring rain here in Phoenix. Actually, had a tornado spotted (I thought I left that kind of weather in Kansas). Since my exercise equipment is on the back patio, the rain made it difficult to do my regular exercise. So I decided to try Dr. Chet's Bit Fills all ran together... WOW I felt muscles that I haven't felt in years. They are all really silly little exercises that you can do sitting or standing but I feel like I had one of the best workouts I've had in a long time.
If you work in an office and have difficulty finding time to work out I HIGHLY recommend these exercises. Plus, these are such a Slight Edge thing to do. They aren't intended to be done all in a row like I did. Just one exercise when you have 30 seconds. Through out the day you may get in 4 or 5 of them but over time they will help you burn calories and strengthen your body. It's an easy thing to do... it is also easy NOT to do. Which one will it be for you? For me...
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
NOT Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
Dr. Chet wrote for the 30 pound club (http://www.drchet.com/) the "50 Bit Fills". These are simple little exercises you can fill in the 30 second bits you have through out the day. For example, stand up and sit down five time when you send an email. Well, if you've seen the news, we have had pouring rain here in Phoenix. Actually, had a tornado spotted (I thought I left that kind of weather in Kansas). Since my exercise equipment is on the back patio, the rain made it difficult to do my regular exercise. So I decided to try Dr. Chet's Bit Fills all ran together... WOW I felt muscles that I haven't felt in years. They are all really silly little exercises that you can do sitting or standing but I feel like I had one of the best workouts I've had in a long time.
If you work in an office and have difficulty finding time to work out I HIGHLY recommend these exercises. Plus, these are such a Slight Edge thing to do. They aren't intended to be done all in a row like I did. Just one exercise when you have 30 seconds. Through out the day you may get in 4 or 5 of them but over time they will help you burn calories and strengthen your body. It's an easy thing to do... it is also easy NOT to do. Which one will it be for you? For me...
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
NOT Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
Monday, January 11, 2010
It's all about attitude... NOT!
Most people would agree that in order to accomplish your goals you just need to have a positive attitude. There is self-help, how-to and positive mental attitude books to help you succeed at almost anything. You can do anything IF you have a positive attitude, just change your attitude. I personally have TRIED to have a positive attitude about exercise and healthy eating. But it doesn't seem to matter how hard I try to take every thought captive, I still hate exercise! I love the results but I still hate exercise. The only part of exercising I enjoy is when I'm done and can quit. I tolerate vegetables, I love feeling healthy but as far as foods, I LOVE chocolate and tolerate vegetables. Well, I just need to change my attitude, right? NOT.
Jeff Olson, the author of The Slight Edge says that it is not about how to or attitude but about philosophy. This was such a huge relief to me. I don't have to change my attitude about exercise but I do have to have a philosophy that will drive me on. "Your philosophy is your view of life, something beyond feelings and attitudes." He says, "Your philosophy is what you know, how you hold what you know and how it affects what you do." I know that if I do my daily disciplines of 30 minutes of exercise and eat more fruits and veggies, I will be healthier. That's what drives me on, that knowledge.
What about the rest of my goals? What drives me on there? A true life philosophy should encompass your life. It is a simple, catch phrase, mantra, slogan, brand... A wonderful example would be Nike's "Just Do It". It isn't abstract or detailed like a vision or mission or goals or affirmations. It is something you can hang on to, to get you through what you don't want to do. It drives you on to the goal.
I know that I talked last week about constructing an affirmation and I broke down, "I'm living on the eighth day, right now!" However, now as I look at it, I think that is my philosophy. It gives me the sense of urgency. I'm living on borrowed time. God has given us only so much and we should measure our days wisely. It also keeps me from procrastinating and getting hung up on what I didn't do yesterday. Finally, it helps me to just get on with it instead of figuring out all of the details, calculating the numbers, and putting together spreadsheets and graphs describing the progress. (Thanks to my engineering background AND melancholy personality type) As I mentioned, I find myself saying it multiple times a day. Like the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can...", "living on the eighth day, living on the eighth day, living on the eighth day", "right now, right now, right now".
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
check Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
Jeff Olson, the author of The Slight Edge says that it is not about how to or attitude but about philosophy. This was such a huge relief to me. I don't have to change my attitude about exercise but I do have to have a philosophy that will drive me on. "Your philosophy is your view of life, something beyond feelings and attitudes." He says, "Your philosophy is what you know, how you hold what you know and how it affects what you do." I know that if I do my daily disciplines of 30 minutes of exercise and eat more fruits and veggies, I will be healthier. That's what drives me on, that knowledge.
What about the rest of my goals? What drives me on there? A true life philosophy should encompass your life. It is a simple, catch phrase, mantra, slogan, brand... A wonderful example would be Nike's "Just Do It". It isn't abstract or detailed like a vision or mission or goals or affirmations. It is something you can hang on to, to get you through what you don't want to do. It drives you on to the goal.
I know that I talked last week about constructing an affirmation and I broke down, "I'm living on the eighth day, right now!" However, now as I look at it, I think that is my philosophy. It gives me the sense of urgency. I'm living on borrowed time. God has given us only so much and we should measure our days wisely. It also keeps me from procrastinating and getting hung up on what I didn't do yesterday. Finally, it helps me to just get on with it instead of figuring out all of the details, calculating the numbers, and putting together spreadsheets and graphs describing the progress. (Thanks to my engineering background AND melancholy personality type) As I mentioned, I find myself saying it multiple times a day. Like the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can...", "living on the eighth day, living on the eighth day, living on the eighth day", "right now, right now, right now".
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
check Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Day One Down - 364 To Go
Well, here is my checklist for today! I am proud to say it is all done! Sort of, I still have to read 10 pages but I always read before going to sleep so that one is no problem. I did read 10 pages last night so I'm going to check it. I have to say the rest weren't as easy but as the proverbs say, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."
I did my official weigh in: 160 pounds YUK!!! How did that happen? I know The Slight Edge at work, one unhealthy bite at a time is how it happened. I joined the 30 pound club at http://www.drchet.com/. So far so good... I was on a roll.
Ok here comes the excuse part...
Today is not only Sunday it is also the last day that Jeff was home. For those who don't know, my husband, Jeff, works as a contractor in Long Beach, CA. We live in Phoenix, AZ. It's a long commute. Anyway, he was home from December 24th until today. That in saying the morning was not my typical schedule. I would usually pray with my prayer partner first thing, followed by exercise while listening to audio, followed by a phone call to Jeff. Well, that's what I always "plan" to do. For the last five months I have only gotten in the two phone calls on a consistent basis (and still not daily at that). Possibly another reason for the 160, no exercise? Could be. Anyway, by the time I took Jeff to the airport, I only had two checklist items done. Talk to Jeff and reach one more. The reach one more was kind of stretching it though, I met my son's friend, Brooke as I drove them to the mall. I haven't "met" her before and we "did" have a conversation. Ok that one will have to be a little better tomorrow.
So back to the story...
I'm back at home, by myself and feeling tired. Cue self talk...
"Maybe I should just take a nap, it had already gotten dark, and I couldn't use my gazelle (which is outside). I'll just start fresh tomorrow. NO!!! TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY!!! Where is this going if I don't even start on my first day? Get your butt up Paula and do it."
I rode my bike on its trainer in the garage. I'm proud to say I even maintained an 80% heart rate. My legs now feel like rubber but I DID IT. I also listened to an audio. (A very appropriate one about pounding away at a goal like a battering ram on a castle wall) Then I ate a bunch of veggies and bowl of chili for dinner. I'm proud to say it was ONE SMALL bowl of chili. This was a challenge in itself because my husband made some KILLER chili. The kind you just want to gorge yourself on, but I didn't. Then I sat down, ran a new Quicken payoff plan report and did my checklist. Done, done and done!!! Yeah me!
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
check Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
I did my official weigh in: 160 pounds YUK!!! How did that happen? I know The Slight Edge at work, one unhealthy bite at a time is how it happened. I joined the 30 pound club at http://www.drchet.com/. So far so good... I was on a roll.
Ok here comes the excuse part...
Today is not only Sunday it is also the last day that Jeff was home. For those who don't know, my husband, Jeff, works as a contractor in Long Beach, CA. We live in Phoenix, AZ. It's a long commute. Anyway, he was home from December 24th until today. That in saying the morning was not my typical schedule. I would usually pray with my prayer partner first thing, followed by exercise while listening to audio, followed by a phone call to Jeff. Well, that's what I always "plan" to do. For the last five months I have only gotten in the two phone calls on a consistent basis (and still not daily at that). Possibly another reason for the 160, no exercise? Could be. Anyway, by the time I took Jeff to the airport, I only had two checklist items done. Talk to Jeff and reach one more. The reach one more was kind of stretching it though, I met my son's friend, Brooke as I drove them to the mall. I haven't "met" her before and we "did" have a conversation. Ok that one will have to be a little better tomorrow.
So back to the story...
I'm back at home, by myself and feeling tired. Cue self talk...
"Maybe I should just take a nap, it had already gotten dark, and I couldn't use my gazelle (which is outside). I'll just start fresh tomorrow. NO!!! TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY!!! Where is this going if I don't even start on my first day? Get your butt up Paula and do it."
I rode my bike on its trainer in the garage. I'm proud to say I even maintained an 80% heart rate. My legs now feel like rubber but I DID IT. I also listened to an audio. (A very appropriate one about pounding away at a goal like a battering ram on a castle wall) Then I ate a bunch of veggies and bowl of chili for dinner. I'm proud to say it was ONE SMALL bowl of chili. This was a challenge in itself because my husband made some KILLER chili. The kind you just want to gorge yourself on, but I didn't. Then I sat down, ran a new Quicken payoff plan report and did my checklist. Done, done and done!!! Yeah me!
I'm living on the eighth day, right now!
Heart
check 30 Minute Exercise
check ate fruits or veggies
check followed payoff plan
Soul
check Prayed with prayer partner
check Talked to Jeff
check Reached out to one more
Mind
check listened to audio
check read 10 pages
check blog checklist
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Ball-Peen Hammer Moment
Have you ever read or heard something that made you feel REALLY stupid? You know, those DUH times. I call them Ball-Peen Hammer moments. Where you feel like you were hit in the middle of the forehead with a Ball-Peen Hammer. I had one of those in the last chapter of The Slight Edge. It was so significant that I even uttered an exclamation loud enough for my husband to ask, “What?” from the other room.
It was actually an excerpt, so here it is in full:
Some day, when I have the time, I’m going to … Some day, when I have the money, I’m going to …
Have you ever said that? “ Some day ...” It’s a way we have of reinforcing the illusion that the future is safely far removed, that it doesn’t really touch us. It’s a lie. Not an intentional, willful deception, but a lie nonetheless.
Let’s say that, “some day,” I’m going to travel around the world. If that’s really true, if I absolutely intend for that to happen, then I’m making plans. If it’s not practical today for me to just up and circumnavigate, I can look at what needs to happen first, and second, and third, to end up with that result.
(HERE COMES THE BALL-PEEN MOMENT)
When I set that process in motion, the words “some day …” disappear. I’m making it happen today, right now. In a very real sense, I am already taking the trip. It may be three years before we actually take the trip, but the words “some day…” no longer apply, so I stop using them
When I say “some day …” I’m not really talking about the future. The future is a reality that I’m connected to by what I’m doing right now. “Some day …” is about some vague possibility that I’m not taking seriously.
“Some day …” is not a vision of my future. “Some day …” is a fantasy – nothing more.
Here’s the damage we do with this illusion. We give weight to our “some day …” fantasies; we squeeze some sense of enjoyment from them as if they were real – and thereby give ourselves permission to take no practical action whatsoever while we swim in the comforting sense that those some-day scenarios will move closer to the unfolding present on their own.
They won’t. The wistful, wouldn’t-it-be-nice pretending of maybe-futures do not insert themselves into your reality of their own accord. You’ve got to go claim them. Ask yourself: “What is there in my life that I hold as “Some day …’?”
Some day … The eighth day of the week. The only day that never comes.
This is the day – this one. Right here. Right now.
- John David Mann, The Eighth Day of the Week
Years ago I had replaced, “when I get a-round-to-it” with “some day …” Before reading this I had always held the notion that saying “some day …” was being positive and hopeful. Not anymore, I’m either planning the “some day …” thing or actually doing it, I will live on the eighth day right now!!!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Why???
As I was evaluating 2009 and looking forward to 2010, I recieved an email about our personal development program. "The 2010 reading list is now available at http://www.leadingbyreading.blogspot.com." Looking at the list, we are again using John Mawell's Today Matters as the outline for the year. The book for January is Jeff Olson's The Slight Edge. I was very excited about it and dug out my beat up copy (pages are actually falling out). Then I realized I actually never "finished" the book. Last year, when I read it, I got to Chapter 11 and was told to use a pencil and write my goals and to "not skip this". I was traveling at the time, on an airplane, so I stopped, didn't want to "skip" it. Then I ran out of month, put the book up and moved on to the next book, the next month. So I read AND filled out the last two chapters.
So now I have written my goals and my "simple" daily disciplines. Now I want to track it so that is "WHY" this blog. I want to keep a journal of this process, see where it goes. I am open to everyone's insights and unique points of view. I just ask that you grant me the grace to be human along the way. The whole point is to learn and change and become a better person. Why should anyone else care about me becoming better? Maybe you would like to join the journey for yourself? Why should we even worry about "self" improvement? Well, I believe in the "Man in the Mirror" effect, I can only control myself and if I want the world to be better I need to start with myself.
I plan to write on a daily basis for the first 21 days because it takes 21 days to establish a habit. Then I will continue to at least update the daily check list but will probably only write once a week or so. To give me a couple of days to "wrap up" things and get organized I will be starting on Sunday January 3rd, 2010. Plus, that gives me "even" weekdays. So I will begin by sharing the philosophy behind my goals and what exactly my daily disciplines are.
So now I have written my goals and my "simple" daily disciplines. Now I want to track it so that is "WHY" this blog. I want to keep a journal of this process, see where it goes. I am open to everyone's insights and unique points of view. I just ask that you grant me the grace to be human along the way. The whole point is to learn and change and become a better person. Why should anyone else care about me becoming better? Maybe you would like to join the journey for yourself? Why should we even worry about "self" improvement? Well, I believe in the "Man in the Mirror" effect, I can only control myself and if I want the world to be better I need to start with myself.
I plan to write on a daily basis for the first 21 days because it takes 21 days to establish a habit. Then I will continue to at least update the daily check list but will probably only write once a week or so. To give me a couple of days to "wrap up" things and get organized I will be starting on Sunday January 3rd, 2010. Plus, that gives me "even" weekdays. So I will begin by sharing the philosophy behind my goals and what exactly my daily disciplines are.
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