What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?
180 days.
There is a belief that if you do something for 21 times, persist at it, keep at it, consistently, then it becomes a habit. 21 times, with a sufficient break in between.
If I divide the 180 days by 21, it’s roughly 8.5, that’s mastering 8 new habits every 21 days. A lot of time, to learn 8 new things, and make it a habit. I would use the .5 that’s roughly ½ of 21 days to procrastinate and mourn over the time I will persist and squander the time to mull and just while away my time, so when I get to the start of the first 21 days, I’ve actually got the interest to take it for 21 days to make it a habit.
Now, the biggest challenge here is the fact that I have to finalise the 8 new habits and deal with the procrastination that’s going to come with this, because I’ve spent the last 180 days not doing these things. not considering them even. So now, committing to it and not letting it fall by the wayside is the tough part. One of the biggest lessons my dad insisted on, was, Dwiteeya Vighnam – he believed that the first day is easy, it’s new and everything is fun and games, the second day, after you have rested, is when the aches and pains and monotony sets in, and this you have to fight and overcome. If you do this, then mentally you’ve crossed a big hurdle. Things get easier.
Between the 21 days and Dwiteeya Vighnam, I know I am going to be done for. But, nothing good ever comes off as being easy. At least in the initial stages. Here is a list of the 8 things I plan to try and complete in these 180 days, and each of them will be a part of my biggest challenge. If I am able to stick through and make them a habit, then I’ve achieved 8 new skills in just 180 days. If not, they will be 8 things I tried and did not find interesting enough to make it a habit, a win-win.
These are listed in no particular order of priority.
Blogging- this website. I would like to keep writing and publishing, as often as I can.
Daily prompts- I have been at it almost for 21 days, but, there has been days I’ve not answered the prompt. I don’t know if that even counts. But I’m guessing for this exercise, it has to be 21 continuous days, so, the count resets.
Zen tangling- this is something I have been working on, for a couple of years now. But, the frozen shoulder has reduced the number of hours I’ve worked on it. So trying to improve speed and completing them in a more timely manner.
Exercise- I start and then I stop. It’s very easy for me to find reasons to not step out, and I think I need to restart this. If nothing else, to smell freshly mowed lawn and hear the birds chirping in the trees. Or alternatively to step on dog poop or have a crow crap on my head or worse still, have it attack me, because it has had a bad morning.
Patience- this is something that goes for a toss during exam season, and I’m coming into a very stressful time- kids have exams and I can be one a shrew at this time, so focus is not to get crazy but keep calm. 21 days, and persistent and consistent efforts, and hopefully this time it sticks!!
I will add more to this list, but with my strong arm shoulder having limited mobility, my focus is very precise and limited. I don’t want to over extend, but would rather try to accomplish these five things, and repeat another time if required to reinforce.
Just a little more 