When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl
A few weeks ago I read an article on Freelance Switch entitled
5 Surprisingly Simple Steps To Do More At Work & Play
This really got me thinking. I have been in the process of making some positive changes in my life, but just how far was I really willing to go? What exactly would I be willing to give up to meet my goals, and could I indeed stick to them once they were set. Thus began my social experiment. It’s not completely flawless by any means but at least I am doing something.
1. Get up an Hour Earlier Every morning
Easy to say, not quite as easy as I thought it would be to do! So far I am working towards 5am although usually it’s 5:15 before I actually roll outta bed, I do love my snooze button. I am working on this though, and am hoping to curb the habit by next week. My goal is to be up at 5am and possibly even hit the the gym before work, although that is pushing it especially with the new schedule that is starting up.
2. Set time Aside for Your Own Projects
Unfortunately most of the projects I am in the process of working on require me working on the timetables of others involved, still I have turned this into taking a little me time as opposed to working on a project time. I try to spend an hour doing something I enjoy that is still beneficial in some way as well. Right now this entails both going to the gym, reading more, and I started a herb garden on my balcony as well.
3. Cancel Your Cable
This was probably the hardest of the 5… at least for me. I enjoy movies and TV dramas, and I must admit there are several incredible drama’s on television right now that I was really concerned about missing. Still after giving up my cable 2 weeks ago, I haven’t really missed it. I can still catch up on my favorite shows via Hulu although now it is just a few days later. However, true to the article I have to make a conscious decision to start a new episode or move on to another project. This means no more vegging out on the couch watching random cable that I would never intentionally turn on to watch. I also have kept my Netflix account. Originally I planned on giving this up as well, but I enjoy the streaming and have been using it to catch up on past seasons of television drama’s that I have missed. Still the same principle applies as I have to make a conscious decision to start another episode.
4. Take a Class
Alright, this has been another difficult one for me so far, but I have come up with a temporary solution. I don’t have the extra time or money for that matter to spend on taking a class at a community college. Although, when I do I would like to take a pottery class just for fun. Instead I have joined a online book club, and am trying to read at least 1 self benefiting book per week as well.
5. Set Deadlines
This is something I have struggled with all my life. I am constantly working on it though especially now. After starting the Falling Flat podcast with Jacob Burke, working on several smaller personal projects at home, and beginning another major project with Drew Griffin that should be making it debut shortly I have found that setting deadlines is the only way I can attempt to keep up with everything.
So the experiment begins,I am hoping that by making these changes I will not only increase my productivity, but better manage my time, and become a better person as well.
