Trying To Get It Together

Focus and Twitter

I picked up Twitter on a lark after seeing them on other sites.  Didn’t know what I would do with it but I have ended up finding it to being an accountability buddy.

I have wanted to break some good habits or momentum but then I think of writing in Twitter.  I write about it and it keeps me on task reminding me of what I want to do.  That is really the problem with me.  I will have a moment of clarity and strength then I will use my powers of procrastination to say, “I will do this tomorrow,” for avoidance.

Twitter keeps my goals in my mind.  I actually dreamt of using Twitter, that is how much it had excited my mind.  Out of reflex I have bought a soda during lunch and starting drinking before I remembered that I was “focusing” on my goals.  Sounds silly but I would just forget.

Even after this experiment is over, win or lose I will keep Twitter.  I have a “Monkey Mind” as they call it in Buddhism and being able to throw thoughts on to Twitter will let me organize them later.

Almost 24 hours and I am still excited.  I’m doing 90% better than I usually do with my plans.

This May Work

I was concerned that this would distract me more than help me.  This blog is helping me focus and keep in forefront in my mind.  I think I have a good chance though it has only been 12 hours.

Set up to fail?

I probably have but that isn’t the right attitude is it?  I realize setting up the blog is the same situation of the bells and whistles that distract me in other times I have tried to change.

I have bought PDA’s, set up computers, copied plans, etc and it was usually to kill time before I got to the real work.  I should have just set this up on a wordpress blog which would have saved time setting it up with workcandy.  Still free but I thought it would be fun to do it on my friend’s site.  Only he knows my middle name so I don’t think anyone else would know me, much less stumble upon this sub site.

I set up Twitter, Joe’s goals and will probably do other things.  I tell myself in the back of my head that I have good reasons to do this while the side of my head says I am wasting time.  I guess if this experiment fails the side of my head can tell the back of my head to shut up once and for all.

I plan to read through the book My Own Worst Enemy while I do this.  I will try (I know what Yoda says) to do what it says, except for that part of massive change.

Answer To A Challenge Made By Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss has an interesting challenge at his blog.  You can win a Shaun of the Dead Figurine or some first edition books of his.   He wants you to imagine what you would do with your days if you retired early.  The idea being that if you don’t know what you would do you probably aren’t ready or motivated.

His post was actually the impetus for this blog where I realized if I don’t change, I won’t have a retirement much less and early retirement.

So for his contest, which I don’t expect to win, I posted this in the comment section.  I come off as a whiner but this is what I feel now.  Except for plastering my picture on here and giving my full name, I will be brutally honest about my process.  Hopefully that honesty will open my eyes to make the changes I want.

Superbowl weekend was an interesting weekend to start the challenge.  I reflected a bit as I was waiting for a client.  I have been working since I was 13. Read the rest of this entry »

4 Weeks To Change Or Bust

I have thought for most of my life that you can change on a dime. I have read (too) many books, listen to speakers and life changing videos and movie. I have theorized a lot.

I have done little.

Made lots of plans, wasted a lot of paper and don’t have much to show for it. In my 30’s, feeling like I kind of wasted the last 10 or so years. Sure I have experiences and memories. But did I really even touch my potential? If I had the courage to really let anyone know how I am doing in life I would guess they would say no, if they were honest. Read the rest of this entry »