IronMeg's first challenge- I coulda been a contendah

[ironmeg]

Hello all! This is my first post here and the next challenge cycle will be my first challenge. I wanted to post a little early because I could use the accountability and inspiration of typing out my goals for the world to see  Also, there is a few things that I can work on before the challenge that should help me in completing my first challenge successfully. Here is the breakdown of what I want to accomplish. Please let me know what you think.

 

Mini challenge till first challenge starts

Level up my health:
    I have already been packing lunch often (not often enough) and tracking calories, but I'm having a hard time keeping up with it. I'm using this to renew my vigor and get back in the game after a vacation and eating terribly while away.
Level up my life:
    Deep clean the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and dinning room so that the 20 minutes a day (Soji) will be enolugh to keep up.
Level up my hobby:
    Plan out the Harry Potter line of crafts to work on.

First challenge, four goals

Level up my health:
    Pack a lunch for work 4 days a week 
        15-16 = A  14 = B 12 = C 10 = D 8 = F
    Keep track of calorie counts every day
        25-28 = A 24 = B 20 = C 16 = D 12 = F
Level up my life:
    10 minutes of meditation then 20 minutes of cleaning (like Soji) every day
        25-28 = A 24 = B 20 = C 16 = D 12 = F
Level up my hobby:
    Complete 4 unique items, including how-to blog posts
        4 = A 3 = B 2 = C 1 = D 0 = F
        
        
Prizes! 
A = Drill Press
B = cricut cutter/curio
C = Wood Burning Kit
D = Donate $100 to Random Acts chairty (Good Charity)
F = Donate $100 to PETA (BAAAAAAAAD)

 

 

 

 

[ironmeg]

Ok so today was interesting. I've been working on a few things to better my life for the last couple of weeks since just after I started reading level up your life. However after a short vacation and well, life, I was starting to lose sight of a lot of my new ideals. Starting this thread has helped me hone in on remembering the daily little things that make a huge difference. I'm working in getting my house in order so that when I start next month's challenge I'll be ready for up keep instead of deep cleaning. When I got home today I didn't want to do anything, and definitely didn't want to clean. My comfy chair and video games were calling to me and the call was strong. Even so, I changed into my cleaning clothes (which is a new habit ) and started dishes, and cleaned the living room. I even took down the Christmas tree, which I can't believe was still up! I'm so glad it's gone, the room look so much better. It was there so long it became background and I forgot it was even there. So all in all a very good eye opening day. I am really loving the change into work clothes approach. Not only do I not ruin my office work clothes but it's a very simple gesture that allows my mind to get into gear and know I'm going to be productive. It's great!

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[Zahirah]

Congrats on completing your souji time!  I also find that regular cleaning of my space keeps me more mindful when I am trying to achieve my goals.  This is a good reminder for me actually...been getting kinda busy lately and neglecting it.  You know working at a Japanese high school you'd think I might have hit on the idea of having my own regular souji time at home, but I didn't even consider it.  This is a great idea, and something I might employ in one of my future challenges.

I like your prizes also.  Currently if I eat processed sugar within my 30 day challenge, I have to give $100 to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.  It's definitely keeping me accountable, lol.

Out of curiosity, what is your hobby?

 

 

 

[ironmeg]

11 hours ago, Zahirah said:

Congrats on completing your souji time!  I also find that regular cleaning of my space keeps me more mindful when I am trying to achieve my goals.  This is a good reminder for me actually...been getting kinda busy lately and neglecting it.  You know working at a Japanese high school you'd think I might have hit on the idea of having my own regular souji time at home, but I didn't even consider it.  This is a great idea, and something I might employ in one of my future challenges.

I like your prizes also.  Currently if I eat processed sugar within my 30 day challenge, I have to give $100 to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.  It's definitely keeping me accountable, lol.

Out of curiosity, what is your hobby?

 

 

 

 

The Donald Trump donation is a great idea as well, I might have to steal that for my next one! The souji time is something I really need in my life and I hope it will make a big difference. I was reading about the schools in japan like you mentioned and the monks in the monasteries that do similar clean up rituals and I really like it. It's not just for cleanliness, it's for routine and peace of mind as well, and I can use all of that I can get!! It's really neat you work in Japan, are you native to the area or did you move there? 

 

I have a lot of hobbies, but I mostly concentrate on woodworking, crochet and some sewing. I've been known to do a bit of cosplay as well, but I'm taking a break from that world this year since I'm getting married and need to plan/execute the wedding, and nothing is more time consuming than cosplay!

[ironmeg]

I spent all day working on my wood working projects for the HP line yesterday. I'm really excited about it, and I made a lot of progress. At the same time though, I have so many doubts. They are the same doubts that have always kept me from selling my work in the past as well. Even though I've made something a million times, and I think it's well made and sell worthy, it's a hand made item and it's never going to be "perfect". People don't seem to understand that. What if nothing sells? Then I've wasted all of my time money and effort for nothing. 

 

On the other hand, if I don't try it, I'll never know. I'm just having a hard time being positive about the whole thing. It's what I want to do, I just need to not allow my fears to get in the way....

[Fluffy]

Hey ironmeg - great goals and I LOVE the prizes.  I cannot see you or Zahira getting Fs.

My husband did woodworking and sold it for years - he had the same doubts you did.  You gotta keep going - there are people out there (like us) who know the value of handmade.  Are you on Etsy?  Or do you sell through another outlet?

I look forward to seeing how you do!

[ironmeg]

Thank you for your encouragement Fluffy. I am not currently on Etsy but that is primarily where I expect to sell, although I should most likely look into a few other sites as well. I'm worried etsy has strayed a bit far from their "handmade" roots, but it's such a popular site that I'm sure it will be a good place for my items. If you know of any other good places to sell out of I'm all ears lol. 

 

I had a question also, the next Challenge starts on the 7th? I found a list of all the dates before but I can't seem to find it now....

[Zahirah]

On 4/28/2016 at 0:36 AM, ironmeg said:

 

The Donald Trump donation is a great idea as well, I might have to steal that for my next one! The souji time is something I really need in my life and I hope it will make a big difference. I was reading about the schools in japan like you mentioned and the monks in the monasteries that do similar clean up rituals and I really like it. It's not just for cleanliness, it's for routine and peace of mind as well, and I can use all of that I can get!! It's really neat you work in Japan, are you native to the area or did you move there? 

 

I have a lot of hobbies, but I mostly concentrate on woodworking, crochet and some sewing. I've been known to do a bit of cosplay as well, but I'm taking a break from that world this year since I'm getting married and need to plan/execute the wedding, and nothing is more time consuming than cosplay!

I'm an American expat, been living here for almost three years now as an English teacher!

I feel you on the fears you have regarding your woodworking.  I feel the same way about my writing.  But I prefer handmade things because of their imperfections! I would love to see some of your work.

 

Also, next challenge is 5/8-6/4.