I couple of years ago I decided to stop doing a bunch of things that I considered were non productive. I studied my life, my habits, and I was able to identify these tasks that most of us know are bad or a waste of time, but for some reason, we continue to do.
Society, marketing, friends, everything is against ourselves in a way that without noticing, we just go along, we just do things, and we don’t stop and say: “How is this action or habit helping me achieving my goals?” or even worse: “How is this action or habit PREVENTING me from achieving my goals?”
So, I decided to remove these rocks from the road I considered and defined as the road to my goals. I don’t think these obstacles are special or unique to me, in fact I think they are pretty common and chances are that you should remove them too.
- Stop watching TV. I don’t even have cable! Educational documentaries and weekly movies are permitted, avoid everything else, it’s a waste of time! I only spend 1 hour a week on TV.
- Stop eating junk food. Everybody knows junk food kills you, but they keep eating it. It’s unbelievable.
- Stop eating so much. It is not only eating well, but also with moderation.
- Stop playing video games. That includes smart phones, consoles, and computer
- Stop drinking so much. Just drink for social purposes, small amounts.
- Don’t live on Social Networks. The TV of nowadays is called Facebook my friend. Just like TV is a great tool, and a very bad one as well (depending on how you use it), Facebook and Social Networks can enrich your social interactions and circles, but also detriment them if you don’t use them correctly.
- Stop being lazy: Come on!! Stand up, do what you know that needs to be done. Stop procrastinating. The only way to stop procrastinating is STOPING. Just do it, period. There is no guide, no book, nothing. Just fu***** do it!
What habits did I incorporate or still trying to at least?
- Read, read, and read. Incorporate the habit of reading; it is good for you and for your mind. Get that TV out of your bedroom, and put a nice book on your nightstand.
- Workout, exercise, and get fit! Are you young? It doesn’t matter, just because today you don’t see those effects of being sedentary, you will soon.
- Practice awareness: Look around you, see all you have, bad and good, focus on the good stuff, express gratitude, then focus on the bad stuff, and design a plan to improve it and change it. But, most important, be aware, be present, stop the rush, stop the crazy life we are all into, and look around you.
- Learn something useful: I like languages, travel, Internet and entrepreneurship. I spend a lot of time learning about these and participating in activities to learn them. What are yours?
Why did I decide to do this? I guess because I was afraid. I was afraid when I realized that life passes so fast, when I realized that life is so short and fragile, that I just didn’t want to spend it like a zombie doing what everybody does.
I keep doing this all the time, trying to optimize my life, improving my skills, and getting rid of those rocks in my road. I’m not perfect, it is just an ever going process, and it feels wonderful, a lot better than just becoming a couch potato watching Two and a Half men.
Think about it, do what must be done, today, so tomorrow you can have what you want.
Hello
I’m 100% agree with you, but I have other opinion, because when you have kids they change your entire plan, of course if you become and responsible father. When you have goals you have to focus 100% until you reach what you looking for. But you miss something here how your are supposed to handle your free time,because from my point of view you need time for relax and give to your brain a vacation, and get more energy for continue your journey.
Yency Christopher
20 Aug 12 at 12:33 pm
Hello Yency, thanks for commenting.
I think I understand where you are coming from, but even though I don’t have kids right now I don’t see how they would interfere in the type of habits I’m talking here.
Would I watch more TV if I had kids? No.
Would I eat junk food if I had kids? No.
My goal is to analyze my life, understand my priorities, and cultivate positive habits that enhance those priorities. If I had a kid, that would surely be one of my priorities, so I would be including in my routines tasks that will benefit this specific priority, that by the way shouldn’t be the only one.
Joel Valdez
20 Aug 12 at 12:42 pm
Thanks for your response.
But I have a Question for you, how we supposed obtain more gasoline for continue the journey, because If you have a goal your are supposed to stop and get more energy, and this are compare to free time and relax.
Yency Christopher
22 Aug 12 at 8:20 am
And who is talking about “not relaxing”? I relax! If watching TV is relaxing for you, fine, just be careful, because the line between “relaxing” and wasting your time for so many hours there is very, very, very thin my friend.
Joel Valdez
22 Aug 12 at 8:23 am
Great response, but How you relax? because Im trying to follow your style of living but with a little difference. But I wonder how you relax.
Yency Christopher
22 Aug 12 at 7:50 pm
I have to three ways for relaxing:
a) Playing sports. In my case, I used to ride motocross bike across the forest. Now, I play basketball with friends (it is cheaper than motocross).
b) Spend time with friends. Call your friends, get to together and fun. One thing, even though we are with your friends, try not waste time talking craps! It is better use the time discussing interesting topics that help achieve goals or to be a better person.
c) Reading. I get relaxed when I read. I love reading, so I try not to waste my time, I’m always reading something.
I hope these hints help you answer your question
Eugenio
31 Aug 12 at 7:53 am