advice

June monthly review

2008-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Monthly review: I started my June challenge on June 9th, so I complete an year of sticking to routines. The two MIT's which I decided to do for the month of June were : doing yoga daily and doing sudokus daily. Well I calculted the number of days I was successful in doing was: I achieved 85% success in doing sudokus, I achieved 63% success in doing yoga. I felt happy as regards doing sudokus and as regards doing yoga, I need to improve

Day Day 25 of the Challenge, Day 4 of Wk 4

2008-07-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

I completed all my MIT's today. In fact finished sudokus very well after a long time and felt good. I also cleaned a rack, read zenhabits site. Its 25Th day and I hope I sustain it till the end of this month.

Day 24 of Month's Challenge, Day 3 of Wk 4

2008-07-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

Actually, I feel very lazy, honestly a bad day since I didnot complete my MIT's properly. I completed only two sudokus and bunked the yoga class. I did take my multivitamin pill and read zenhabits site. I need to shake off my lethargy and look forward for tomorrow with enthu.

Day 23 of June Challenge, Day 2 of Wk 3

2008-07-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today I took a pretty long time in solving the sudokus, in fact I was continuously committing mistakes, lack of concentration could be one reason. But I finally managed it, but it consumed my time till noon, when I finally got it right. The best part in following the schedule was me not giving up at any point of time nor feeling any frustration creeping in. The second half had another happiness in store for me. Today was my second attempt in doing a difficult yoga exercise and I succeeded in doing it. I felt ecstatic at that moment. I could not arrange any rack today as I did not have time. Excluding that I completed all my MIT's.

Day 22 of June Challenge, Day 1 of Wk 4

2008-06-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

I finished all my Mit's for today and hope to continue it for the entire week. The only task remaining is writing a journal which I intend to do now.

Day 21 of June challenge, Day 7 of wk 3

2008-06-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day. I just did not do anything. I just relaxed , ate out, recorded loads of old songs and had a great time. But at the end of it, I feel rejuvenated completely. Infact I slept late watchign a musical programme, so woke up late and just relaxed. Though i went to pizza hut, I was careful to take out the cheese and eat only the bread portion and I started with a huge bowl of salad so as to fill myself before I indulge in for temptations.

Day 20 of June Challenge , Day 6 of Wk 3

2008-06-28T07:02:00.001-07:00

Wow, Its a great feeling, its been 20 days that I have been following my schedule. Time just flew by,never realised for once that sticking to schedules makes life so much organised, more better. I could only do two sudokus and in spite of my repeated attempts, I could not do a sudoku successfully, but the best part was I could complete the difficult sudoku within 30 minutes. I attended my yoga classes, took my pill, but I still have an important MIT to complete, ie to read zenhabits.net. I am planning to do it after this activity. I enjoyed playing with my daughter two different games, so just waiting for Sunday to chill. I will give one last shot to try doing the sudoku again.

Day 19 of June Challenge, Day 5 of Wk 3

2008-06-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

Feels so nice for the weekend's approaching.I am just waiting for Sunday to unwind and relax, take a break, maybe chill watching the Euro final match. I finished all my MIT's today. Somehow the day did not start as expected. I was lost in some thoughts while attempting the first sudoku and failed doing it even the third time. Then I decided to take a break, freshen up a bit and restarted after an hrs break. Voila, the break worked and I completed all three sudokus in one and half hr. Then I moved to my next job of cleaning a rack, reading zenhabits.net and really liked the article on goals. Planning to implement them in the near future. I took my multivitamin pill too, attended my yoga class but could not play with my daughter as she had some school task to do. I just read the headlines of the paper.

Day 18 of June Challenge, Day 4 of Wk 4

2008-06-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody, well I completed all my sudokus before 10, though I got to admit that two were easy ones. I learnt some new exercises in my yoga class today and felt really good that I could do the new exercise to perfection. Well, I guess that's the advantage of sticking to schedules. My body seems to have more flexible and any stretching so seems easy. Hope to keep up my good work. I read Leo's blog today and I feel so nice putting ticks on my spreadsheet. I cleaned two racks, took my vitamin pill, completed my night brushing, played a game with my daughter. I successfully completed all my MIT's, but did not get time to complete my other task of reading newspaper. Guess have have to learn from Leo how to organise myself better.

I forgot to mention, but today I completed one of my long pending tasks of returning my library cards, because I remembered Leo's words, 'Just do it'. Sometimes attacking and finishing the task seems more easier rather than too much planning. I really felt a sigh of relief in finishing this job.

Day 17 of June Challenge, Day 3 of Wk 3

2008-06-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

Honestly, from the day I have started following my schedule, ie June 9Th, I have dreaded approach of every Wednesday. Every Wednesday opens a new challenge as that day 'the Hindu' daily newspaper contains a tough sudoku. I still remember June 11Th, the day I was able to crack the hard Sudoku for the first time and I was thrilled. I wished I would face the challenge next Wednesday, June 18Th. Four attempts, two hours of intense concentration, but I did not succeed. I was feeling so dejected that Wednesday. So when I picked up today's Hindu to try the hard Sudoku, I could literally feel my heartbeat, but I was so surprised when I could crack it at the first attempt and finished it in 30 minutes. Hope lady luck smiles on me every Wednesday.
Maybe I should redefine my MIT for the month of July as Wednesday hat trick and reward myself to a good treat if I achieve it. After completing my sudokus I got time to read zenhabits at my leisure. Since yesterday was my cheating day, I completed all my unfinished tasks, spending more time reading zenhabits.net, blogging, writing on the online forum. But I still have a long way to go as I haven't succeeded in finishing my other tasks of reading newspaper and playing game with my daughter. I had to catch up with my sleep, so took an afternoon nap and skipped on my other tasks. Hope to improve myself as days pass byor is it that instead of taking baby steps, my strides are longer.

Cheating Day, Day 16 of June Challenge , Day 2 of Wk 3

2008-06-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Got to admit guys, I cheated on this day, Tuesday, the 24th of June. I did not do a single task, maybe I deserved a break after a fortnight of sticking to timetable. I went out with my friend on a nice long drive by the side of the sea, spent some cherishable moments. The drive, the time spent together really rejuvenated me. So rather than feeling negative about a day wasted, I would rather perceive it a great break to continue my next fortnight schedule with renewed vigour because I really enjoyed myself and felt happy. After all one should do what makes one happy, because that's what matters at the end of every day.

Day 15 of June'Challenge '2008, Day 1 of Wk 3, June 23rd

2008-06-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

I woke up with great excitement as a very good friend of mine was coming to visit me and spend time. But then I promised myself I would chill out if I stick to completing my MIT's. Well, I did the most important MIT of completing all sudokus successfully. As regards the other MIT's, I did not get time to read zenhabits, nor got time to update my blog. So my other tasks also trailed behind except my night brushing. Since my sudokus were over, I accompanied my friend for shopping and really had great time.

Weekly review June 16th- 22nd June'2008

2008-06-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

The second week has been quite a successful attempt in sticking to schedules. I completed all my tasks on time except on two days I could not complete the other task, playing games with my daughter. So my spreadsheet has two crosses. But I feel I deserve a pat for completing all my MIT's. Well, its an accomplishment for me. I am sure its more important to maintain the flow unperturbed by any external disturbances. Actually I was disturbed by some events, and contrary to my earlier behaviour, I felt the schedule has really helped me divert from the problem and has infact been a great stress buster. Infact I was so engrossed in my sudokus,yoga, reading zenhabits, updating my blog etc, that I didnot have time to think about issues upsetting me. Earlier I would brood and spoil my day. So I found a new way to face life.

My fortnite timetable in an excel spreadsheet

2008-06-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

Day 14 of June Challenge'2008, Day 7 of Wk 2

2008-06-21T23:29:00.000-07:00

Well, its a Sunday, and I successfully completed my MIT's already. It's 12 in the afternoon and I even succeeded in cleaning three more racks of a different cupboard.
I will be writing my weekly review after some time. I want to review how exactly the week went and how well I could improve and I analyse my flaws and strengths. So that's it for now.

2008-06-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, Well so all of you guys would be enjoying the weekend , either sticking to schedules, or taking a break as Leo suggests. Well as regards me, I have completed my MIT'S but was unsuccessful in solving one sudoku. I tried four times, but could not solve it. I guess these challenges do tire us out and we get the feeling of throwing life out of gear, by not following schedules, but I thought giving up was so easy. Honestly do not know from where did I get the resolve, but did not give up the attempt to keep on trying. It's 8'0 clock in the nite and so I thought I should leave it and update my blog now.

I played a nice game with my daughter and the best part was I cleaned three racks today and hey guys, if any one of you bothers to read it, the clean look of my racks gave me utmost satisfaction.

I am planning to take a break tomorrow, Sunday from my schedules. I feel I deserve a break. So what say you. I just want to sit an review where I faltered, and what areas I need to improve.

Day 12 of June Challenge'2008, Day 5 of Wk 2

2008-06-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

I am back again with my list of commitments which I fulfilled, well I have completed as you know all my MIT's. Today the day did not go as planned, my concentration faltered as I was solving the Sudokus and I took longer time, but at last I succeeded, maybe my decision to not give up helped me, so guys who ever is reading my blog or comments on forum, just stick to your plan as Leo says always and it helps. I just came back from yoga class. Leo's idea of just do it helped me today in not only completing all my MIT's , but also in sticking to my other tasks successfully.
Yes, today I took the first baby step in clearing two racks and honestly admired my clean racks. Felt a sense of dejavu. As regards spending time with my kid, well, I haven't forgotten, I played two games and thoroughly enjoyed playing with her.
I successfully read a newspaper, specially following all the news of Euro'2008. I am sure you guys would be following it. Though my country isn't anywhere near, but its great fun to keep abreast of all that's happening around the world.
Reward: Ya, five days over of this week, I thought I needed to give myself a good reward, so had a good massage and I feel all rejuvenated to face the weekend.

Day 4 of Wk 2, Day 11 of June Challenge'2008

2008-06-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

I have completed all my MIT''S today, doing all three sudokus, doing yoga, reading zenhabits.net, updating blog. As regards other tasks, I have played games with my daughter. I am eating each meal for thirty minutes and religiously brushing my teeth at night. Infact reading zenhabits everyday is in itself a path to new self discovery everyday.
Infact in addition to all these, I cleaned one of my racks, my first step of cleaning, completely read two newspapers and read few articles of a magazine, attempted jumbled words. I am in fact surprised as to how am I getting time for all these and still had time to take a nap of 15 mins and watch TV of 30 minutes. I just have to thank Leo for guiding us all so well.

Day 10 of June Challenge, Day 3 of wk 2

2008-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

My superb tryst with Sudokus continues and today was another day of completing all the Sudokus. The whole of last week, whenever I fumbled, my husband helped me to solve them. Every day I solve Sudokus from two newspapers, one contains an easy and medium one, and the other newspaper publishes an easy sudoku on Monday, medium one on Tuesday and a difficult one on Wednesday. Today being a Wednesday, I attempted with full concentration and cracked it. I feel so happy and I also successfully completed all my MIT's attending yoga class, updating my blog and my daily forum and reading zenhabits.net.

DAY 9 OF MY JUNE TIMETABLE : DAY 2 OF WEEK 2

2008-06-17T03:49:00.000-07:00

I finished my three MIT'S for today. I completed all the three sudokus, attended my yoga classes and currently I am updating my blog. As regards the other tasks, I have to play a game with my baby. I have for the second day tried in eating slowly, each meal timed for half an hour. Honestly, writing on my blog, writing on my forum, mailing my husband everyday regarding my progress has really helped me to stick to my schedules.

JUNE CHALLENGE : 16TH -22ND jUNE

2008-06-16T00:59:00.000-07:00

DAY 8 OF MY JUNE TIMETABLE : DAY 1 OF WEEK 2

Today is the first day of the second week. I stuck to my schedule and attended my yoga classes and completed my sudoku in the morning. I have completed the last task to read zenhabits.net. I have also successfully created a spreadsheet on my blog. So check it out. As a small reward for myself for successfull completion of my first week, I am planning a movie with my family in the evening. This will be a big booster to continue my second week with more enthusiasm.

2008-06-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

DAY 7 OF MY 1st WK and WKLY REVIEW June 15th

2008-06-15T03:15:00.000-07:00

Today, its a holiday for my yoga classes as it is a Sunday and so The next MIT of completing all the three sudokus is over. The third MIT was reading zenhabits site, which I have done and now I am updating my blog.

As regards the other tasks, I played games with my daughter also. The only other task left is reading a newspaper which I intend to finish before I end my day.

Weekly review : I think for the first time in my life, I have successfully set a timetable and completed my tasks. I cannot describe the sense of accomplishment which I feel right now. All these years, I always made timetables and ended up committing myself to too many tasks and i would end up doing nothing after a day or two. I was really clueless as to how to go ahead and set my life in order. Thanks to Leo for his eyeopening guidance, which I really intend to follow. I just hope I will maintain this schedule first for a month. I want to sit and make the weekly plan for my next week and I am eagerly waiting for it.

JUNE CHALLENGER FIRST WEEK'S PLANNER

2008-06-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

MIT'S: JUNE(9th-15th)
DATES 9th 10th 11 th 12th 13th 14th 15th
1.SUDOKU* Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
(Atleast one)
2.YOGA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No class
3.READ ZENHABITS.NET Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
4.UPDATE MY BLOG Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

* Try doing all three sudokus, one easy and two difficult ones

OTHER TASKS
DATES 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th
1.Playing games Yes Yes X Yes Yes X
with my daughter
2. Read newpaper Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Atleast surf one

Rewards :
1. Visit to a movie, a beach, a hotel, watch a DVD

Accountability:
1. Update on blog and forum
2. Mail my husband to inform my daily tracking

Triggers :
1. If i do yoga, I feel energetic and can maintain my weight without becoming FAT.
2. I am a housewife, so doing Sudoku's givs exercise for my brain which keeps me mentally active and DIVERTS ME FROM NEGATIVE THOUGHTS.

Obstacles:
1. My swinging moods which spills on every schedule (MAIN CULPRIT)
2. Physical absence of my husband for 15 days of the month, who is my main source of support
3.Sudokus are tough to solve sometimes
4. My laziness
5. Over enthusiasm to start some more habits without sticking to the original.
6. Quitting as its very easy

DAY 6 OF MY 1ST WEEKLY SCHEDULE

2008-06-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

I myself find it surprising that I am able to do the task what I had planned. . As mentioned by Leo, its focusing on the habit at least for a month. So five days are over and I got to stick it for 25 days more for it to become a habit. Today is Day 6 and I really stuck to my schedule and completed one sudoku, attempted the second, but could not complete as I could not crack it. I still have one more sudoku to complete. I finished my yoga today. So I am having a kind of satisfied feeling.
I am a highly moody person and cannot handle stress of any kind. I get upset and so I wish that even if any stress upsets me this month, I wont give up my schedules and stick to them till it becomes a habit.

Day 5 OF MY TIMETABLE

2008-06-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

Today is the fifth day of my timetable and I thought of rewarding myself as is mentioned in zenhabits.net. So today I am planning an evening outing to a movie with my family. So I attended my yoga class in the morning itself. I successfully completed one sudoku and tried my best to complete the other two sudokus , but was not completely successful. I am happy that I put lot of effort to complete it, but could not find a way to crack it completely. Now I have only two tasks remaining, to play game with my kid and to read the newspaper. I am also trying to scribble the last task of writing on my blog now.

I want to apologise since I wrote the wrong blog address. My blogs name is
http://readmesunaina.blogspot.com/. Thanks to a new acquaintance , who really wanted to keep me motivated, who brought to my notice. Thanks a lot for bringing to my notice. Guys who want to help em and also want to be helped can visit my blog. I also want another help. I tried making an excel spread sheet to monitor my daily progress and tried copying on my blog, but failed. Could anyone guide me.

DAY 4 OF MY PLAN DATED 12TH jUNE'2008

2008-06-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Though Day 3 was successful in terms of my finishing tasks which I had planned, but I encountered major hitch. I was so upset with a particular family issue and I just could not get over it. I was arguing and arguing with my spouse and in fact lost my sleep over it. I woke up at midnite 2.30 am with anger, etc. Then I just decided that I had to take it out of my system, so mailed to my spouse a long letter venting out my frustration. In the meantime, an old friend came online. I honestly do not know whose effect was it, was it the effect of my mail, of my chatting, I felt so light after that. Plus, I could feel my anger was also in a way responsible for my not attempting tasks with the usual zeal. But Day 4 turned out to be really good. I completed each task, in fact did three sudokus, and I felt I had time to do more things, such as play more time with my daughter. I just hope I maintain the same attitude daily.

DAY 3 OF MY WK 1

2008-06-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Day 2 actually went on as desired. The best part was reading zen habits site and I feel so motivated whenever I read it. Today is Day 3 and I have mixed feelings today. I successfully did two sudokus, did yoga for an hr. So far, so good, but as regards playing games with my daughter, she slept at that time, so I could not play. Lastly I could not read the newspaper as I was somehow disturbed with today's events of life. I could not concentrate on the paper. So I ended watching history channel for sometime and now I am scribbling on my blog trying to fulfill my last commitment of the day. I read lots of stuff in the site to keep me on my toes. But I have a query, can someone suggest how to come out of an upset mood. If I get upset, I get really worried and cannot come out of it. I honestly need help. So please advice.

Day 2: 10th June’2008

2008-06-10T03:14:00.000-07:00

I felt so satisfied at the end of day 1 as I was able to complete the last task of reading the site zenhabits.net. As suggested in the site, I tried finishing the daily tasks as soon as I got up. I completed doing both the easy and medium sudoku in one newspaper. Infact, I was feeling so elated that I attempted the third sudoku in another newspaper and completed it successfully. I played both the games with my daughter. Now I am planning to take my daughter to the badminton class and attend my yoga class too. Hopefully by the end of the day, I would have succeeded in accomplishing all my tasks and would have successfully scribbled on my blog too. I am excited to do more tasks, but I am just controlling my over enthusiasm lest I might end up not doing anything.

inspirational lines quoted from zenhabits.net

2008-06-09T08:43:00.001-07:00

1. The key, of course, is to not just give up after failure, but to reset your resolve, to analyze what went wrong and why, and to plan to overcome those obstacles the next time.
I’ve done that, with one failure after another, and would like to share a few things I’ve learned to avoid when trying to change a habit.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED OF DAY 1

2008-06-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

Today has been one of the most wonderful days in my life. I woke up with a resolve to start my schedule which I laid down the previous night. Here's my list of tasks I accomplished today.
1. I read one newspaper in detail and browsed thought the other.
2. I did the easy and the difficult sudoku successfully without a single error. In fact in a dose of enthusiasm, I tried doing the sudoku from the other paper, but could not complete successfully. (maybe tried taking giant steps and forgot baby steps)
3. I attended my evening yoga class and did for an hr.
4. I took my daughter for the badminton class.
5. I brushed my teeth at night.
6. Played with my daughter world safari and Chinese checker for 30 minutes.
7. Updated on my blog what task I accomplished.
8. I still have to read the site zenhabits.net which I intend to do now.

JUNE'S SPREADSHEET

2008-06-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make a spreadsheet to write my daily schedule, so that I could tick. Can someone advise me as to how to make a spreadsheet. I tried preparing in excel and copying it, but it did not get pasted. So if someone has a better suggestion, do tell me.

A Promise I Make to Myself (Month of June)

2008-06-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

I just came across a site called zenhabits.net, surfing the net, . A casual glance and I felt it’s the same old stuff of motivating, sticking to schedules and I knew it was good for reading but would never help in sticking to my plans. I am a person who is very good in making resolutions, timetables, but can never stick to it. In fact on some days , I just lie on the couch and surf channels on TV idling my time. I spent days like that and then one fine day, I feel sick of myself and draw a great timetable. This has happened n number of times and I fail every time. I just hope I will stick to my schedule. But then here I am trying to publicly commit to do it from tomorrow. All you guys out there have to really help me out in maintaining it. I am interested in joining a forum wherein I publicly commit and stick to maintaining schedules everyday.
My little baby steps for today: 9Th June ‘2008

Read newspaper
Do at least one sudoku
Go for yoga class
Take my kid for badminton
Scribble on my blog whether I finished doing my tasks
Playing with my daughter Chinese checker and World safari for at least 30 minutes.
Read the site zenhabits.net everyday or any other motivational sites
Tick daily when completed the tasks

how to handle my life

2008-05-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

I am basically a person who loves the day being spent without realising it. But I am stuck in a life where I have to spend my life alone. I am also very lazy and I really need advice how to handle my life. I feel I do not have anyone to share with. If I speak to my husband who is posted very far away from where I stay or to my folks, everyone advises me that that's how life is and I really do not know what to do. I am always watching television not knowing what to do after getting up. I always chat on the telephone thereby expecting that people will call me and if they do not call, I feel disappointed. What should I do, I do not know, I have a small kid and hence cannot work. I have worked before, but at the cost of troubling everyone, who had to take care of my kid. So I really do not know how to kill my loneliness. I feel so dejected each day. I am always looking forward for someone to come and entertain me. As a result I ahve become a couch potato, just aimlessly watchign television and not doing anything. Somehow I do not enjoy cooking, cannot stick to any schedules, which I start. Can someone advice me what to do. I do not feel motivated to do anything. I am sure there are amny in this worl who face similar tribulations. I want to share my thoughts with someone who understands me and who guides me. Please is there anyone who can help me.