Wow, 6 more weeks and I’ll be done with a third of this movement!

I want to keep this clear and succinct, and focus on what I’ve learnt so far, and what I’m implementing.

The Sleep And Water Rule.

This is the absolute most basic rule every human being ought to bear in mind. Curiously, a lot of people tend to overlook this. It’s like driving with a dirty windscreen. Dehydration and lack of sleep can cut down the most potent warriors. Simple tasks become difficult. The mind and body both struggle to function altogether. Being sleep-deprived could be a little bit like being perpetually drunk, only worse- because it isn’t even fun.

Sleep, and drink water- above all else.

Measurement = Management.

I’ve repeated myself about this a few times- the repetition helps me get down to it better each time- if you keep track of things, you’ll find yourself naturally starting to manage them better. I experimented with this for my finances for a while, for my fitness and smoking, and I found myself spending less, becoming more fit and smoking less. I discontinued the habit for a while, but I’m picking it right back up and it feels damn good to be back on track again. Really, really good. Relevant information is knowledge, and knowledge is power.

My finances are the main focus here, followed by my fitness, and my smoking. The priorities haven’t changed at all.

Being Physically Fit = Awesome

There’s really nothing else like it. It’s very simplistic and primal but powerful and empowering. I was quickly seeing huge fitness gains about 10-15 weeks ago with the simple formula of “Hit The Gym Every 3 Days”. It was incredibly easy, and it felt really, really good and fulfilling- every workout was amazing, and the progress I felt- when I looked at myself in the mirror after a shower, when I put on a t-shirt and it felt tighter, when I find doors and bags miraculously feeling lighter, when I felt lighter on my feet and more in control of everything I did. I discontinued my Every-Third-Day mantra to try and accommodate other things, but it quickly fell apart because I wasn’t disciplined enough- routines very obviously trumps improvisation at an early stage of a workout regime. Still, again- I’m picking up the fitness bug again, and I’ve very quickly re-gained what I might’ve lost over the past few weeks- I’m rapidly approaching peak fitness again, and it’s incredible.

The Challenge Paradigm

I’ve spoken on several times about what I’ve learnt from poker and from video games and other things- and I’m repeating myself here, but only because I’m trying to phrase it more effectively each time- and I’ve distilled from all that the simple idea of challenging myself. (It always seems ridiculously, deceptively and even insultingly simple at the end- but you can never quite appreciate it until you’ve been through it yourself.) So what I’m doing- and this is what I’m saying is going to make this blog a lot more interesting- is framing my goals, ambitions and problems into challenges that can be completed. Because you get to witness me doing stuff, in real-time. It’ll be like reality TV. But awesome.

I’m going to start posting specific challenges as blog posts, and you guys can help me along the way! Wait for it!