WEEK 52: LEAP YEAR COMPLETE!

WT = Waiting Time. DT = Development Time.

PLANNING (task, scheduling, and WT = DT):  I plan to write my Leap Year W23 post into the site Medium on Wednesday at 6 PM in study. I plan to turn those small WTs into Grateful Time, where I look to see what I can be grateful for in those situations. For example, last week I thought how great it is to have our basic health. Meaning, my family and I are able to recover from most illnesses if we were to be get sick.

EXECUTION (strategies used):  W52 complete! Although I use a combination of many strategies throughout the week, there are always some that are used more than others depending on what comes up. For example, I relied heavily on the Be a Pro andImplementation Intentions, strategies this week, as I was not able to complete the task until Sunday afternoon. The highlighted strategies that were used in the week are listed below along with the I CAN'T statements that they help overcome. 

Procrastination...I CAN'T because I am not motivated or do not feel like it...

Be a PRO: I actually learned this strategy through insights from Jeff Goins, Tim Ferris, and James Clear. 

First, Jeff Goins mentioned in a podcast that “action will follow mindset.” Second, James Clear wrote that it does not matter what you want to become better at, the only skill that separates a “Pro” from an “amateur” is the ability to show up. Third, Tim Ferris said on his 4-Hr Work Week blog that “Practicing key habits when we don’t want to is the most key habit to all.” This reinforces this idea of being a “Pro” by having the mindset to show up consistently and completing the work.

The difficult thing about being a pro requires us to consistently follow through. Yet, we often let the challenges of everyday life get in the way and only attempt to do the work when we feel motivated. This produces small gains if any and leads us down a path of frustration. There will be days when you do not want to complete a key habit or activity, but develop the mindset of a “Pro” by showing up, sticking to your schedule, and then completing the tasks that move your forward.

Early Scheduling = Implementation Intentions: This is a strategy that I credit to completing my tasks consistently on a weekly basis. In this strategy, you first PLAN to complete a task at a SCHEDULED time (day and time) in a specific location as early in the week as you can. More specifically you fill in the following statement.

I plan to [task] on [day] at [time] in [location].

Three benefits are produced from doing this. First, you get a sense of accomplishment if you complete the task in the beginning of the week at the scheduled time. In addition, it allows you to devout more time to do additional tasks to reach your goals within the same week. Second, it provides more time to complete the task if life presents you with something that needs to be attended to during the original scheduled time. Lastly, research shows that you are 2X to 3X more likely to follow through on your actions. I learned about this strategy from James Clear, who is a great blogger that writes on the science of human behavior and how to build better habits. He shows the research on how Implementation Intentions help you follow through on your plans and achieve your goals.

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Wow, never did I think I would be in my current situation 52 weeks ago. First manuscript complete, in the best shape of my life, starting my first software company, but most importantly I feel fulfilled and know I am working to create something amazing everyday!

There have been so many learnings from my Leap Year process, but I wanted to highlight one of the most important things I have learned this past year. 

This was crystalized when I was talking to my friend Josh this week. We were discussing how we did not have enough time to move some initiatives forward due to life being so hectic right now. 

In the past I would have agreed with him completely, and knew there were just too many everyday challenges that needed to be dealt with currently.

Where as now, I understand there will never be a time when we have all the resources or time to move forward. It is an error for us to think that one day there will be less challenges to face, and more time to devote to meaningful tasks. 

What I have learned from the Leap Year process is to show up, "Be a Pro", and complete the work to move you forward. Know you can produce amazing results by consistently putting in one hour a week to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Thus, I recommended to chunk down his tasks, and complete the work on a consistent basis. Knowing Josh, he will get to great places in a short amount of time. 

Lastly, know you will never be completely ready or qualified to take the "Leap." You just have to trust and start, as you qualify yourself through action. 

What went well?

Leap Year completed...just starting really. Yes, I have completed 52 weekly tasks, but understand it is just the beginning of another year of Awesomeness. More experiences, leanings, and improvements in store, and I can not wait to solidify all I have learned from year 1. 

What is something we can improve upon? What actions can we take next week?

I mentioned last week about the Downward Spiral. Often times, it is not the first mistake, but rather the second, third, and fourth mistake which leads us to unfavorable circumstances. Although I have been more aware of this in the last couple of weeks, I have not been able to follow through an avoid it completely. 

For example, I have been trying to get in the best shape of my life, but often find I eat a whole pizza or unhealthy foods before I realize what I just did. Eating the first slice is the first cue, then eating the another piece would be my second, then eating the third is another cue, but unfortunately this is where I usually cave and don't realize it until I have eaten everything in site. 

I want to be present to this and learn to take a deep breath after the first cue, in order to come back to the present moment. This will help me understand I have a choice in what I do next. 

What is something to avoid next week?

Not being present to mistakes, the triggers to the start of the downward spiral.