Day 2 II

Goals for 6/9/20:

  • 8am wake-up [productivity]
I was up early, before 8am, and didn’t go back to sleep!

  • Daily Chitas [spiritual refinement and connection]
Done!

  • 1 exercise video/day [self-love]
I did a fun calisthenics video. I also realized why I didn’t quite enjoy them all. It’s just one more after the next. I love doing the dancing videos - so much fun! I definitely break a sweat either way, thank G-d -- and that's my goal!

  • Eating mindfully & meditatively for nourishment [mind/body/soul connection]
Today was better than yesterday. I realize that I really cannot rely on having whole food options wherever I go, so I must prepare something as a dish to share. For example, last night at the BBQ at Aaron’s, I took initiative and brought a salad. Unfortunately, Aaron and I finished it before everyone came. If I hadn’t brought the salad, there would’ve been no ‘healthy’ option within the meal. I can take responsibility and provide good options for myself and others, while avoiding things that I know are not good for me.
Today, I had a smoothie, salad, Zaatar sourdough toast, and an apple with peanut butter. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but I was satisfied throughout the day. Perhaps I was distracted. I asked myself throughout the day if I was satisfied/full, and I felt good.

  • 15min on LinkedIn [new job / professional development]
For some reason, I’m completely avoiding LinkedIn. Perhaps I didn't give it a specific time to be completed, or making it’s completion predicated on something else. Perhaps I see it as overwhelming and too busy. I did not complete this task today. I would like to get to this tomorrow.

  • Complete week two module for Coursera course from Yale on Happiness [new job / professional development]
Done! This part of my day was fascinating. I learned that getting married or losing weight won’t make me happy. I'd like to revisit whatever goals I’m setting for the future. Ultimately, I want to be happy. This is what I’ve concluded from the second module. I look forward to completing the third one tomorrow.
This course also comes with week-long lifehacking habits. The first part was filling out several surveys to get a baseline of my current happiness. I am to use my “Signature Strengths” each day for a week. My “Signature Strengths” are: 1) Spirituality; 2) Appreciation of beauty & excellence; 3) Social intelligence; and 4) Teamwork. To cover Spirituality: I daven and learn daily. For “Appreciation of beauty & excellence,” today I rode my bike through Prospect Park. For “Social intelligence,” today I paritciapted in a “Mind Jam” at Grand Army Plaza. As far as “Teamwork,” I’m not quite sure how I am to use this strength. My best example would be from last night, where I pitched in to help make the BBQ at Aaron’s.
Another “Rewirement” weekly activity is to savor an experience daily. I savored my time spent outside in the park, breathing in and looking upward with gratitude!
The second “Rewirement” activity for the second module is to jot down every day a list of five things for which I am grateful. 1: Gathering with people. 2: Healthy food options. 3: The ability to control myself. 4: Taking care of myself (heating pad on should all day!). 5: My cozy bedroom!

  • Research & begin an HTML/CSS course from Lynda [new job / professional development]
I signed up for two courses: one in HTML/CSS and another for Project Management. I look forward to starting these tomorrow.

  • Finish 1 chapter in Dr. P’s book [personal development]
I didn’t get to this task today. I spent the entire afternoon in bed with a heating pad on my shoulder. Thank G-d, that’s really helped!

  • No phone after 10pm [productivity, mental health]
At 10:05pm, I shut off the WiFi access on my phone, set it to “Vibrate,” and threw it on my chair.

  • 1 blog post a day [daily review]
Writing now!

  • Midnight bedtime [sleep hygiene]
It’s currently about 11pm, so I will be on track to be in bed by midnight. I woke up early this morning, so I’d certainly appreciate a bit more sleep tonight.

--

I’m starting to see this blog as a daily to-do list. I’m reminding myself that there are three goals, three habits per goal, and checking in regularly and altering as necessary. I learned today that the goals I’ve been setting are not good, and will not lead to happiness. I cannot rely on losing weight or getting married to give me happiness. When I’ve gotten what I wanted, what I thought would make me happy, I’ve never ultimately felt fulfilled: candy, sugar, cookies, treats, clothes… Those give a bit of happiness, but certainly nothing long-standing.

Ultimately, I need to ask myself, “Why?” I want to stop making destructive decisions in my life, like overspending, overeating, and poor time management. I think at the core of all these issues is lack of self-confidence, self-esteem. Perhaps also a sense of lack of structure. A fear of trying something new. Obsession with the end result. These three goals have been on my mind for ages: lose weight, get out of debt, get married. What will happen after I lose 40lbs? How will I feel? What is it that I’m really wanting to accomplish? What about getting out of debt? What is it that I want to accomplish? Truthfully, it’s setting up good habits. Healthier thought processes. Calmer, more thoughtful eating and deliberate spending. Taking the time to care for myself. In terms of “SMART” goals, how does this look? What does “done” look like? “Done” looks like me beaming with balance! A partner by my side perhaps two small children, a boy & girl, comfortable in my skin, exercising for an hour a day, eating delicious simple whole foods, being steadfast in my decisions about my eating habits. And at this point, I’ve been trained so well (by YNAB!) that my spending is predictable. My income is flowing in and I have great flexibility. I have a lot of love in my heart for my family, my parents, my partner, my children. I am fulfilled.

My goal: fulfillment.
Habits: deliberate eating and spending and exercise. Seeking self-love. Sending love out to the world.

L’chaim!

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