[JediNickD] World 2 Level 4: "There is No Try"

[JediNickD]

Welcome back for another episode of the exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge. Upon my return, I have decided to revisit some of my challenge themes to turn them into lessons as I had been doing more recently.  I feel it is a good way to reflect on my own learning and progress to write about and share these lessons, but I also have another objective. I am cataloging these lessons in a document which is now up to 136 pages. The plan is to use this document as a reference for my personal Jedi training and to pass on for my Padawan training. It isn't just my Nerd Fitness challenges. It includes every Jedi-related writing I have done, training I have worked through, and documents I have collected (which are not protected but have sources noted).

 

So what is my story?

As I said, I've been here before. I kicked a lot of butt progressing through 22 challenges since 2012, until middle of 2015. After struggling to maintain a presence here through the first half of 2015, I struck out on my own as I had conquered many obstacles here, learned many lessons, and felt I was ready to implement a new accountability strategy for I had developed a strong supporting cast in real life to keep me accountable.

 

Alas, a back injury and a "layoff" crumbled all my plans. I am recovered from both now, more or less. In October, I started a new job only three weeks after my old one ended. The growing pains are over and now I feel entrenched in my new world. In October and November, I took a lot of time off from fitness to allow my back to heal. In December, I started physical therapy to strengthen my back. I have occasional flare ups, but for the most part, I have my body functioning like its old self.  Well, an out-of-shape and over-weight old self.  Today, I am wrapping up my last physical therapy session. 

 

It is like I am back at square one, or Level 1 for my character here. But it is not like my character died and I have a new one.  My knowledge and experience is retained.  Instead of hitting the reset button, I'll jump to World 2 complete with new challenges and obstacles. Old foes may come back, but they will require new techniques to defeat them. I am still a Jedi in training, learning from the old masters, unlearning what I have learned, practicing the new techniques, and improving daily.

 

Challenge Lesson:

"No.  Try not.  Do... or do not.  There is no try."  -Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

 

One of the most quoted (or misquoted) lines from Star Wars, it seems that everyone knows this line and what Yoda is saying.  Training can not be tried.  It is not an odd looking potato salad which your friend brought to your cook out.  "I've never seen raisins in a potato salad, but I'll give it a try!"  If you are training like that right now, you are likely also wondering why you fail to reach your goals.  Training is something you DO.  You've probably heard the phrase "Commitment is the road to success".  Doing something with the mentality that you will succeed is a step towards committing to it.  Trying something with the mentality that you may or may not succeed is a great way to miss your mark.  Yoda tells us if trying is our mentality, then you might as well pack it in and go find something else to do.  If you've seen the 1984 film "The Karate Kid", then you may be familiar with Mr. Miyagi saying these lines:

 

“Man walk on road. Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk down middle, sooner or later, get squished just like grape. Here, Karate same thing. You karate do "yes," or karate do "no." You karate do "guess so," just like grape.”

 

Miyagi teaches the same lesson to Daniel Russo with a great analogy towards Karate training.  It is as if I grew up with this lesson beaten into my skull, as Nike athletic shoe brand's marketing slogan was "Just Do It."  Whether you prefer Yoda, Miyagi, or Nike, I think we can all agree that doing will beat trying every day of the week.

 

There are other interpretations of Yoda's famous lesson, where some discuss duality and others discuss causality, but for today I'll stick with just the training metaphor as it applies to where I am in my training.  I find myself, as a Jedi Ranger, sampling all the trades and skills, overburdening myself to be a Jack-of-all-trades, but not being able to fully commit to any one thing.  As a Jedi Ranger, my personal philosophy is to be a "Master-of-all-Trades" through balance and diversity.  Below is a writing I did back in 2012, which I cleaned up a bit today.

 

Diversity and balance go hand in hand. A Jedi seeks balance. To acquire balance a Jedi must be diverse. The Aptitude Maxim of my personal Jedi trainging says a Jedi needs to be highly proficient in many skills mentally and physically. Balance and diversity.  A Jedi must taste all the flavors of the Jedi path in order to achieve balance within their own unique path.

Being skilled in combat does not make a Jedi. Being sensitive and knowledgeable in the Force does not make a Jedi. Knowing the Philosophy, Maxims/Truisms, and the Code does not make a Jedi. Only being a student of all walks of the Jedi path can someone find balance and be a Jedi.

If one is a student of all walks of the Jedi path, then does that not make their overall goal to be a "Master-of-all-Trades"?

Master of one trade or "Jack of all Trades" are just not enough to prepare a Jedi properly. This is what the Aptitude Maxim is about. Of course, "Master-of-all-Trades" in a lifetime is impossible. A lifetime is hardly enough time to truly master any one skill, never mind all (even something as simple as walking and talking). But that does not mean it still should not be a Jedi's goal.

With "Master-of-all-Trades" as my personal goal, when I come across something new, even if I'm not particularly interested in it, I pick it up, try it out. If it sparks more interest, then I continue with it as daily or weekly study until I master it (I DO it), then opt for monthly practice or study for maintenance. If my interest is not piqued at the time, then I decide to come back to it at another time storing up the information and my experience. It is not useful to force study on yourself towards a subject which does not interest you. Deciding to master the trades we are good at or the ones which interest us first does not negate the "Master-of-all-Trades" goal. Interest in other areas will grow with time in which case we can return to a subject we have stored.

Of course, everyone has a specialty, but that only comes with where you begin to learn. At the age of 24, I had solidified my specialty in Electrical Engineering and Electromagnetics in Microstrip Patch Array Antenna Design. With many years ahead of me, I made it a professional goal to become proficient in other antenna types to make myself a bigger asset to my company and our customers. Three years later my extracurricular studies paid off allowing me the ability to transfer to another division within the company when business dwindled and cuts needed to be made.

Specialties aren't just professional. We have hobbies and other interests which can become specialties. We follow our interests early in life to find these specialties. If a Jedi is diverse, then their interests will delve into other areas as life goes on. It is this "Master-of-all-Trades" goal which lead me to the online Jedi community to branch out my Jedi training and it is what lead me to NerdFitness, as well.  It will continue to lead me to new and unusual places, like Pokémon Go catching them all.

Like I said, "Master-of-all-Trades" is a goal, but not necessarily an achievable one. Realistically, you can’t learn everything, because life has its limitations, but you can damn well do everything in your power to get as close as you can. It is the mentality which is important. Strive for the unreachable and what you do reach will be outstanding.  Aim for the sky and you will soar, but aim for the farthest star and who knows how much further you can go.

When applying this goal, it is important not to stretch yourself too thin as to never master anything. Know your limitations and use proper time management to schedule your studies to optimize your time and energy. Diversify yourself and balance all aspects of life. You only get one shot at life so get the most out of it.

 

My Main Quest and Mission:

My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow.

 

World 2 Level 4 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Work Up a Sweat - 320 minutes of conditioning training for the entire challenge.

  DEX +2, STA +2

  The weekly plan is 60 minutes of racquetball on Friday and two 10 minute fast walks or runs.

  Fast walks can be replaced by jogging, swimming, biking, or rowing (haven't done since my injury, but may be ready to test) depending on what I feel like doing.

   

• Stretch and Strengthen - 440 minutes of exercises and stretches for the entire challenge.

  STR +2, DEX +1

  The weekly plan includes 10 minutes of regular stretching each day, two 20 minute sessions of physical therapy exercises (therapist or gym) and 20 minutes of other strength training each week.
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 4 lbs by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 170 lbs.  Get measurements to compare to last year.

  CON +3

  I'm starting at 165 lbs as of today.
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete 12 Tasks or Projects from any of the following areas: Toastmasters, Webmaster, Jedi Training, Work, House Work, Home Renovation, Auto Maintenance, Family Activities (to keep it diverse, no more than 3 from any one category)

  WIS +3, CHA +2

  I seem to always have a lot on my plate these days with a bunch of started-but-not-finished projects and tasks, then other stuff lingering for me to crack open, but I keep putting off because of what I already have. I need to get some check-completes and build momentum for other projects. Less procrastinating and more doing.

[Raxie]

Hey how are things going?

[JediNickD]

On ‎8‎/‎1‎/‎2016 at 0:56 PM, Raxie said:

Hey how are things going?

 

Things are going well!  I've been working towards my goals.  Vacation has kept me from making my updates, but that is over and the wave of activity since returning is subsiding.  I have my daily journal up to date, but I need to total things up to see where I stand.  I kept close to my daily plans, but being out of town changed my routine and activities a bit.  My diet goal is in danger.  While on vacation, I worked hard to keep my eating and snacking in check, but alcohol is not helpful.  I've got my work cut out to get down to 161 lbs by the end of the challenge. 

 

I will update my Life Goal:

 

Toastmasters: completed two "improvised" speeches in the last two evening meetings.  Both were well down considering I had zero preparation.  I did have the structure for the speeches worked out.  I missed my conclusion on the second one, because I ran longer than I wanted though, but nobody noticed.  I also completed another Competent Leader manual.  Lastly, I received my DTM Award in the mail.  I am officially a Distinguished Toastmaster.  I bought my ticket to the fall conference to receive my district recognition.  I can't wait!

 

Webmaster: I spend too much time on this, but not enough according to my fellow Toastmasters handing me content to update.  It is fun, but entirely too time consuming.  I won't do it again without a team.  By December I am hoping to have two assistants.  I've completed registration support for training and conference events.  I am working on marketing pages for the conference and sponsorship (published but needs a few updates). 

 

Work: Completed my Monthly Report.  Began work on next month's report.  Working on updates for Biweekly meeting. 

 

House Work: ... I have a lot of laundry to put away.  I have gardening and weeding to do.  I did mow the lawn, but I need to trim the hedges and weed the kids play yard, plus mow the chicken yard.  I also need to clean the rabbit pens. 

 

Home Renovation: ... Deck needs work still

 

Auto Maintenance:  I don't think I have anything due right now.

 

Family Activities:  Lots of quality time last week.  Golf and karaoke with my wife.  RPG with the kids (a fun mermaid adventure I made up from scratch).  When I got back, I've been taking the dogs for long walks and jogs.  I'm taking the family to a baseball game on the 13th.

 

 

[JediNickD]

Week 1: 

• Ran/Walked for 20 minutes 4 times (80 min).  No racquetball since my friend is nursing a knee injury.  It'll be another month before he is ready most likely.  My vacation started Friday, so I would have missed it anyway.  I'm replacing racquetball with Pokémon Go runs.
• Stretched for 10 min everyday.  I ended my physical therapy sessions the week before, so I'm only doing "at home" physical therapy.  I did two 30 minute sessions. (70+60=130 min)
• Weight = 164.6 lbs.  Eating right, but I need to cut down on the nuts I snack on during the work day.

Week 2 (vacation):

• Walked for 10 minutes 10 times (100 min).  7 hours of golf with carts. 
• Stretched for 10 min everyday.  I did only two 10 min sessions of physical therapy.  I spent a lot of time throwing children around in the pool and ocean, but nothing I would count. (90 min)
• Weight = No Scale.  Ate right about half the time, but beer and snacks most likely slowed my efforts.

Week 3:

• Ran/Walked for 30 minutes 4 times (120 min).  I've got to walk our Labrador puppy each day, since he is home alone most the day.  He's sleeping well when I am through with him!  Our Jack Russell is exhausted after 10 minutes into the walk, but then has tons of energy 30 minutes after we get home.  She is an enigma.   
• Stretched for 10 min everyday for 5 days.  I did one 30 minute physical therapy workout and one 20 min lifting workout.  I actually did the leg press for the first time since last August.  It felt good to rock 660 lbs with ease, but I'm not pushing my PR for a while.  Let the back heal some more.  (80 min)
• Weight = 166.2 lbs.  >:-(  Wife and kids are out of town, so meals are completely me. The refrigerator was pretty bare when I got home on Friday, except for Kale soup a friend made.  While the wife and kids were home over the weekend, we ate out for the most part, because we didn't want to grocery shop.  At Denny's I ate half a salad and half a peanut butter cup pancake-slam split with my wife.  Sunday we had sushi.  After they left on Monday, I decided to keep it simple for a few days.  For dinners, I ate all of the kale soup and used some ground beef to make some simple tacos.  For lunch, I ate some of the kale soup, a gross instant ramen pack, and a peanut butter sandwich.  Yesterday, I picked up some healthy stuff and made a buffalo turkey wrap with blue cheese and fresh tomato and cucumber salsa.  Lunch today is a simple beef burrito and dinner will be another buffalo turkey wrap.  I believe I perfected my buffalo sauce recipe last night.  My personal recipe has always been good and my friends all love it, but they complains I make it too hot.  Well, I found the perfect secret ingredient to cool the heat and keep the buffalo flavor strong.  I can spice up my own batch with jalapenos and cayenne pepper.  I can't wait for football season to blow my friends away with it!  Now, if it would just make me lose 5 lbs...

 

Goal 1: 80 + 100 + 120 = 300 minutes.  Crushing that goal.  Only 20 min left with 9 days to go!

Goal 2:  130 + 90 + 100 = 320 minutes.  120 min left should not be a big deal as long as I workout tomorrow.

Goal 3:  I'm going in reverse, but I am confident I can get there in a week. 

Goal 4:  10 tasks checked off.  I have a few I am working on, but the house work will be my focus through next week.  I want my wife and kids to come home to a nice, clean, and beautiful home.

[JediNickD]

I walked/ran for 30 min on Saturday, 60 min on Sunday, and 40 min this morning.  I actually ate terrible over the weekend due to poor planning for 5 hour round trip of travel, but I am down to 163.8 lbs.  Yea-YEAH!  Keeping the portions down will be key to a strong finish.  I made Shepard's Pie on Sunday for lunches during the week.  It'll work, because what I pack is what I get to eat.  I just need to ensure I stave off the hunger pangs before lunch and through to dinner with fruit and veggies, keeping nuts to a minimum. 

[JediNickD]

So, another 20 minutes walking/running last night with the dogs.  A 30 minute walk/run this morning, then 20 min of lifting. 

 

I weighed 164.2 this morning.  I'm expecting another drop tomorrow morning after some healthy eating today.  I'll be doing measurements tomorrow evening or maybe Thursday evening.

 

SPOILERS BELOW FOR TERMINATOR: GENYSYS

 

I finished the laundry last night while watching Terminator: Genysys.  I liked the concept for the movie and it was interesting watching a Terminator chase them, but not trying to kill them; however, the sense of danger was eliminated making the movie a sci-fi action movie instead of the sci-fi action thriller which Terminator movies usually are.  The movie had a completely different feel than the previous three (not counting Salvation, which was also a completely different type of movie).  I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it like I did Judgment Day and Resurrection.  The original is a classic and can always stand by itself without the sequels.  Judgment Day and Resurrection are great furthering of the story, but Salvation and Genysys are more like fan films than sequels.  Also, it seemed like Genysys wiped the previous movie events from happening which is lame.

 

Then there is the questions about John Conner's new birth and whether Judgment Day still happens just further in the future.  Great thing about capitalism is that Cyberdine would not have been the only company working on a Genysys program.  Their program was just more advanced, therefore, the first to destroy humanity, thanks to some time travel help.   

 

What they may have setup with the end of the movie is an opportunity to start from scratch.  Sarah Conner, John Conner, and Kyle Reese would not need to be integral characters for the next Skynet.  Instead, they could introduce new saviors time traveling back to 2017 or later to stop the new Skynet from happening (as opposed to protecting the future generation from being exterminated).  They could completely redesign the Terminators.  No more Arnold CGI needed.  Or they could leave it there with no more sequels.  Resurrection was really the best place to leave off.  Judgment Day was inevitable, John Conner understands his role to lead the resistance.  Telling the story of how John Conner defeats Skynet is not interesting.  The only thing I really liked about Genysys is that it gave us the reason why John Conner was special.  Kyle Reese time traveling after defeating Skynet gave Sarah and John the knowledge on how to defeat Skynet.  Then things got weird. 

[JediNickD]

162.4!  I'm getting closer to the goal with some amazing recovery speed. 

[JediNickD]

On Sunday, I weighed 161.8 lbs.  I'd say that is some phenomenal effort over the last two weeks.  Effort that will continue to the next challenge.  We'll see if I can keep up the Pokémon Go runs into the colder weather.

 

Grades coming soon.

[JediNickD]

World 2 Level 4 Challenge Grades:

FITNESS:

• Work Up a Sweat - 320 minutes of conditioning training for the entire challenge.

  DEX +2, STA +2  A

  80 + 100 + 210 + (60+50+80+30+20+10+30) = 670 minutes; BLOWN AWAY thanks to dog walking and Pokémon Go.

   

• Stretch and Strengthen - 440 minutes of exercises and stretches for the entire challenge.

  STR +2, DEX +1  A

  130 + 90 + 120 + (20+10+30+10+30+10+10) = 460 minutes; My near term goals for lifting will be form more tone and less bulk as I strive for the 6-pack.

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 4 lbs by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 170 lbs.  Get measurements to compare to last year.

  CON +3  A

  Started at 165.0 lbs, finished at 161.8 lbs for a 3.2 lbs drop with 168.6 lbs being my maximum weight.  I think I could have gotten closer if I wasn't building muscle at the same time I was working on losing fat.  Measurements are in my spreadsheet with improvement across the board.
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete 12 Tasks or Projects from any of the following areas: Toastmasters, Webmaster, Jedi Training, Work, House Work, Home Renovation, Auto Maintenance, Family Activities (to keep it diverse, no more than 3 from any one category)

  WIS +3, CHA +2  A

  I still procrastinated on some things through the 4 week period, but at the end I got enough done to earn my A.  I'll look at my schedule for the next challenge to get the goal more specific with weekly and daily steps to help eliminate the "I don't need to do that until later" mindset.

  
  Toastmasters: completed two speeches, completed 7th Competent Leader manual, filed my 5th Advanced Leader Bronze award, and completed one 15 minute educational session.  I worked on recruiting for the newly forming Advanced Club I am supporting.  Least importantly, I am officially a Distinguished Toastmaster.  Just like a birthday, nothing feels different, but that increment is something that makes you look different to others.  I'll use it to build other up and show them the way to improve themselves. 

•  

  Webmaster:  completed registration support for training and conference events.  Completed marketing pages for the conference and sponsorship.  Completed transition updates for Conference from Early Bird special sales to regular ticket sales. 

   

  Work: Completed my Monthly Report.  Began work on next month's report.  Completed and presented updates for Biweekly meeting. 

   

  House Work: Completed laundry, gardening, weeding, mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, and cleaning the rabbit hutch. 

   

  Home Renovation: Cleaned up the deck from the last wind storm.

   

  Auto Maintenance:  Oil change and brake cleaning next weekend.

   

  Family Activities:  Golf and karaoke with my wife.  RPG with the kids (a fun mermaid adventure I made up from scratch).  Baseball game with family.