[traaki] The sleeper must awaken.

[traaki]

"Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken."

-Frank Herbert, Dune

 

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Hey, all--

 

It's my first challenge since my Birthday Respawn, and I'm super excited for some structure in my NF life. Slowly (so slowly), I've built a really good water drinking habit (96 oz per day), workout habit (2 bodyweight workouts per week) and sleep habit (at least 8 hours every night).  So I'd like to stretch just a little farther and get a little better.  I feel impatient for improvement because I feel like I've been stalled out, but I'm trying to find the middle path between stalled out and burned out. I just finished a really big month of change (lots of travel and learning) and re-read Dune for the umpteenth time, so I figured that would be the theme for my challenge. 

 

September 26 - October 23

Here's the short version (full agonizing detail to follow):

 

Diet/Fitness

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: Eat a vegetable or fruit with lunch 3 days a week, as a side (e.g. a cup of roasted/steamed veggies, an apple, 2 slices of melon, a cup of baby carrots). 
2. BENE GESSERIT TRAINING: Complete the NF Mindset module. (currently on Quest 3: Find Your Big Why). 
3. SWORDMASTER TRAINING: Complete the NF Bodyweight Level 3 workout 3 times per week. (currently doing 2/week). 

Level Up My Life

• MENTAT TRAINING: Finish my PHP class (I am at 17% completion). EDITED: Reach 50% completion on the class and finish my first Drupal 8 module.

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Details/concerns: 

 

1) SPICE MUST FLOW: I work from home and have been really stressed lately looking for a new job.  This has led to a sad amount of macaroni and cheese lunches.  Some day, I will have fancy, healthy, protein-rich lunches, but for now, this still seems a little bit challenging (mostly because I have tried a variation of this challenge before without success).  I made it a smaller challenge than I have in the past (only three days per week) and I'm enlisting the help of my partner.  Worst case, I'll steam some frozen veggies! 

 

2) BENE GESSERIT TRAINING: I respawned back in JULY but have been slow to work through the various NF Academy modules.  I will focus on getting through those--I was struggling to find quests I could believe in and going through the rest of the Mindset Module would get me in the right headspace. Called this BG training because they are masters of the mindset. 

 

3) SWORDMASTER TRAINING: I've been reliably doing 2 workouts/week for several months now. I've been wanting to move up to 3/week but felt like I didn't quite have the momentum behind me....until now! 

 

LQ/MENTAT TRAINING: I also have been struggling to get through this PHP class I'm taking online, mostly because I only give it a few minutes every night.  I really need to get through this class. I'll feel better about myself when I've done it, and bonus, I'll know something I didn't know before and will be far more employable!  I'm going to be setting aside larger chunks of time to focus on this, instead of leaving it to the end of the day.  

 

The last two diet/fitness quests and my LQ will all take extra time I don't currently spend. I will proactively schedule the NF and PHP studying times, and I have already scheduled in my workouts.  I've recently started playing an addictive phone game, and that might need to go, or perhaps I will use it as a motivator. I also need to plan so that I make sure we have veggies/fruit around for lunches. 

[Manarelle]

Yay Dune! I only recently read the first book which was great (though a little political for my tastes). I'm sure there are lots of ways to work the spice into your meal plans/cooking habits.  

 

How's the first week going? Job hunting can be so dang depressing - hang in there!

[traaki]

13 hours ago, Manarelle said:

Yay Dune! I only recently read the first book which was great (though a little political for my tastes). I'm sure there are lots of ways to work the spice into your meal plans/cooking habits.  

 

How's the first week going? Job hunting can be so dang depressing - hang in there!

 

Thanks for the encouragement!  It's really a roller coaster, isn't it?  This week I have had an interview and a very promising conversation, but I've also heard no from two others.  But I'm trying to stay focused on the positive and to do what I can to be a better candidate. 

 

As for the week: 

 

SPICE MUST FLOW: 2 of 3 already, and should have no trouble hitting this target. YAY easy goals!!

BENE GESSERIT: I haven't gone through any of the mindset modules, but I have time scheduled tomorrow to do it.

SWORDMASTER: I have done one workout and have another scheduled for Friday.  I used to work out T/Th, but decided I'd rather do M/W/F (at least until I have a job).  But....Monday I had tickets to the Price is Right! I had planned to work out afterward but what I did not know is that going to the Price is Right is completely exhausting. So, no workout.  I don't want to do the third on Sunday, because then I'll still be off my M/W/F schedule. So, anyway, long story long, I think I'm going to do a more intense cardio or yoga workout on Sunday, but not something that will interfere with weight training. 

MENTAT: I just spent a little over an hour on this, and got from 17% to 22%.  I need to hit a bit more than 20% per week to finish this by the end of the challenge, which means about 4 hours (at this rate).  I felt fatigued by the end of the hour, so it may just need to be four separate hours, or I may need to plan out my breaks a little better. 

 

 I'm nervous about the BG & the Mentat goals.  I will do my best this week and may end up revising them for next week if it doesn't seem like I'm going to be hitting my targets.  Onward!

[Manarelle]

I know it's hard, but just keep in mind that "no" doesn't mean "you stink and we don't want you." There are a lot of bad or misfitting jobs out there that would be worse than not having a job. Hang in there for something that not only pays well but also meshes well with you as a person. You're worth it.

 

Grats on the progress! How was the Price is Right? 

[traaki]

 

13 hours ago, Manarelle said:

I know it's hard, but just keep in mind that "no" doesn't mean "you stink and we don't want you." There are a lot of bad or misfitting jobs out there that would be worse than not having a job. Hang in there for something that not only pays well but also meshes well with you as a person. You're worth it.

 

Grats on the progress! How was the Price is Right? 

 

Thanks for that. I just got a rejection today from something I really thought might come through, but you know, it didn't. So here we are! After feeling sorry for myself for about 45 minutes, I went for a walk (and, I admit, had a fancy coffee) and made a to-do list to keep up the search. 

 

The Price is Right was ridiculously fun. I haven't watched in years, but it's hard to resist the enthusiasm of 300+ people, most of whom consider it a bucket list item.  I was exhausted afterward--honestly, it was a little like a hangover.  But the best kind of hangover.

[traaki]

Today I hit my freggies goal, and I'm working right now on the mindset stuff (see my respawn thread for details on that).  

 

I just realized I'm going to be traveling the next two weeks--much less intense of a trip, but I'll be with family, which is always a time for bad habits to creep back in.  But I will persevere! 

[traaki]

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: 3/12 freggies at lunch
2. BENE GESSERIT: 6.5/18 NF Mindset modules (read through and planned Batcave, need to actually make these steps happen)
3. SWORDMASTER: 2/12 workouts
4. MENTAT: 22/100 of my PHP class

[Nina-Rose]

Hang in there! I was going to ask about the specific goals regarding your study, or mindset, but it sounds like you have some days/times in mind. Its often easier to keep to goals which are specific and measurable. Good luck during your trip!

[Manarelle]

Grats on the progress, and definitely good luck with the trip. Good habits on vacation are tough - is there anyone in the family you could challenge to keep pace with you? 

[traaki]

On 9/30/2016 at 8:32 AM, Manarelle said:

Grats on the progress, and definitely good luck with the trip. Good habits on vacation are tough - is there anyone in the family you could challenge to keep pace with you? 

My sister often wants support on workouts as well, so I'm hoping we can buddy up and keep the momentum high!  I just texted her right now to see if she's game, so thanks for the idea.

 

WEEK ONE UPDATE

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: 5 out of 3 freggies at lunch.
2. BENE GESSERIT: 6.5/18 NF Mindset modules.  I'm a little stuck on implementing the Batcave module (making it easier to practice good habits and putting barriers between myself and bad habits), just because I've been focused elsewhere. 
3. SWORDMASTER: 2 of 3 workouts. Price is Right got in the way, and while I would like to be better about finding replacements/being flexible on scheduling, I feel okay about just marking this an "almost" and keeping my focus on the habit part of it.
4. MENTAT: I went from 17% to 22% completion. The reason I'm taking this class is so I can level up my skills as a Drupal developer and write a module--which I started to do this morning. I didn't understand all of what I was doing, but it's fun to put this into practice and see the fruits of my labor.  

PLAN FOR WEEK TWO

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: I'm travelling to New Mexico, where I tend to just chow down on piles and piles of green chile and cheese.  While I feel fine about that, I still want to add a veggie or high fiber side at lunch three of the days.  When I'm out and about, a side of beans or sauteed veggies or calabacitas will work.  When I'm at home, I am willing to crack open a can of veggies if that's all that's around--but I'm sure it won't be.  My folks are pretty good about keeping healthy options around--it's on me to keep my eyes open and make the right choices. 
2. BENE GESSERIT: I will be traveling so I'm going to lighten the load a little bit here.  My goal is to finish modules 8, 9 and 10 this week. Customizing my batcave will have to wait a little bit since I won't be at home.  
3. SWORDMASTER: I texted my sister about joining me for workouts! I also double-checked the calendar to see how the M/W/F mornings look.  Friday is the balloon fiesta, when we all get up at like 5 am (which I never ever do) and go look at hot air balloons, drink coffee/hot cocoa, and eat breakfast burritos. Not sure how I'll feel about a workout after that but you know, there's a first time for everything!
4. MENTAT: I'm going to lower my goal for this challenge to finishing 50% of the class and finishing my first module.   It feels like a big let-down to only get halfway through, but I was only able to do 5% of the class this week.  Getting to 50% means I'll need to do twice as much. No need to set myself up for failure, right?

[Manarelle]

2 hours ago, traaki said:

My sister often wants support on workouts as well, so I'm hoping we can buddy up and keep the momentum high!  I just texted her right now to see if she's game, so thanks for the idea.

 

Woot! The family that works out together... wait... Something like that. 

 

Good plans for the coming week/vacation trip! Now I wish I'd done that before my trip - might have gotten more workouts in instead of being a lazy butt. Good luck on your trip! And nothing wrong with re-adjusting goals to be more realistic. 50% is more than you'd get by setting unreachable goals and getting disheartened. You got this!

[traaki]

Week two update!  There is zero chance I'll get this update in on Sunday, so here's a quick one:

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: 3/3! I did two before I left on my trip, which made it super easy. 
2. BENE GESSERIT: I have not done any of the mindset module. I have a small amount of hope that I will get through one before bed tonight so I can at least say I made SOME progress.
3. SWORDMASTER: 3/3! This was tough because I ended up having a huge job interview on Wednesday morning, but I got it done.
4. MENTAT: I finished my first module! It's in to my mentor for a code review and then I'm sending it into the company I interviewed with on Monday.  Zero progress on the php class, but I basically just jumped WAY ahead to get this done.  Feeling proud of myself. 

Week three plan:

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: This should be do-able no problem.  Feeling very confident. 
2. BENE GESSERIT: Next week I will focus a bit more on this, though I'm still going to be out of town.  Worst case I can do it at the airport.  
3. SWORDMASTER: I won't have my workout buddy around  but now that I've established the pattern, I think it will be okay. Monday might be a challenge because it's a holiday, but I'm up for it! 
4. MENTAT: I am aiming for 35% completion of the class by the end of next week.

 

[Manarelle]

Grats on the progress despite vacation! How'd the interview go? 

[traaki]

On 10/7/2016 at 1:19 PM, Manarelle said:

Grats on the progress despite vacation! How'd the interview go? 

 

It went really well! I'm going in for an in-person interview next week.

[Manarelle]

Woot! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[traaki]

Mid-week-3 check-in: 

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: I had cucumbers with lunch today! And there's, like, a farm worth of produce in my mom's house. So I should be good here.  
2. BENE GESSERIT: I just squeezed a bit of this in so that I can make some progress (after missing all of last week).  I haven't actually executed the actions of #7 (customize your batcave) and #10 (what inspires you).  I have to finish 12-18. 
3. SWORDMASTER: I missed Monday. ALAS. But, I got today and Friday should be no problem.  2 outta 3 is better than 1 outta 2. 
4. MENTAT: I am focusing on some more specific things I need to know for this job interview, instead of focusing on the class. I think it's a smarter choice but it stings a bit not to be working on this. 

[Manarelle]

2 hours ago, traaki said:

MENTAT: I am focusing on some more specific things I need to know for this job interview, instead of focusing on the class. I think it's a smarter choice but it stings a bit not to be working on this

 

Boo to priorities shifting when you don't want them to, but good on you for doing what needs done. You'll come back after acing the interview and get it all done like a boss. 

[traaki]

End of week three! 

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: 9/12 for the month! On pace for success.  One thing I realized is my partner buys fruit for the household, but he is better about eating it and so he basically just buys for himself.  So, I requested my very own personal fruit bowl! Now I know nobody will be sad if I eat that fruit, AND I know it's my responsibility to finish it before it goes bad. 
2. BENE GESSERIT: 11/18! I can get this done; I know it!  I'm a bit behind but it's easy and I just need to set aside time each day. 
3. SWORDMASTER:  7/12! I did two bodyweight workouts and one pretty sweat-inducing hike. I won't hit 12/12 but I am going to get at least 2 per week, and I am learning a lot about why workouts are hard for me.  I realized this week that working out first thing is fine (it keeps me motivated and limits it to a specific time of day) but I need to get my mornings under control--I woke up at 8 am the other day and wrapped up my (30 minute) workout at 11 am.  Something doesn't add up there, and I need to be productive sooner than that. 
4. MENTAT: 22/100 on the class, 100/100 on my first module! The job interview is tomorrow so I will be able to go back to focusing on the class. 

I'm at the point in the challenge where I'm excited to start next month! I want to up my freggies count to five days a week, I'm going to be doing NaNoWriMo next month, and I want to work on my morning routine.  But--right now it's time to just buckle down for a strong finish!

 

[Manarelle]

Good luck on the interview tomorrow, and nice job on hitting (or aiming really well at) all your goals! One more week; you got this.

[traaki]

Interview went well yesterday! I haven't heard an official offer though they were very positive, so I've got my fingers crossed. 

 

BENE GESSERIT SUCCESS! I'm happy to report I finished reading the Mindset Module! I was trying to DO ALL THE QUESTS, and gradually admitted to myself that this wasn't going to be possible unless I wanted to hang out in Mindset Land forreeeeeever.  I've finished 19 of 56 mindset quests, and am working on two sleep-related quests (lights out by 11 pm every night for two weeks, and keeping a sleep journal).  This is all about getting those morning into shape and I'd say it's been productive so far. 

 

I am thinking about incorporating one mindset quest into every challenge I do from here out--not sure yet if it will be in addition to the two diet/one fitness/one lifestyle or if it will replace one of the diet quests.  I've been pretty good about getting them started but it's easy to slip back and I think this will be a big way to reinforce those more conceptual underpinnings (get good sleep, talk to your friends, identify your big why, etc.)

[traaki]

Got the job!!!

 

I'm super excited about it and also very aware of how much my lifestyle will be changing (I've worked from home for the last four year! I barely remember what offices are!).  I want to be sure to set up support for the good habits I already have when I start.  

 

I really want to finish the PHP class by the time I start (likely to be a week from Monday). 

[traaki]

FINAL REPORT

1. SPICE MUST FLOW: SUCCESS! 12/12 for the month! 100% 
2. BENE GESSERIT: SUCCESS! Mindset module complete. 
3. SWORDMASTER: ALMOST! 10/12! I was completely successful for two of the four weeks, and mostly successful on the other two. I pushed myself hard this week and it felt awesome.
4. MENTAT: ALMOST! 35/100 on the class, completed the module. I revised my goal from 100% to 50%, then decided I would get to 35% by the end of week three. Then I spent that week focusing on the interview.  In any case, I'm happy I hit 35% and feel pretty good about the amount of effort I put towards this.  I doubled my completion rate from before I started the class, and as I mentioned I'd like to finish before I start the new job in about 10 days. 

As I've said before, I'm really anxious/excited about the next challenge, especially in light of starting my first full-time, out-of-the-home job in over 4 years.  I definitely want to use a mindset quest for this next one, to keep myself positive and productive when things get stressful.  

 

What I learned from this challenge:

• Don't be afraid to drop your sights if they're unattainable--but keep them at a stretch.  On Friday I did a bit more PHP studying than I planned to because I knew I was so close to 35% and really wanted to hit that mark.  Having that goal attainable but not easy was really motivating.  
• It's better to do a half-ass workout while traveling than none at all. I wasn't at my best but I still got them done.  I don't need every workout to be perfect. 
• Having my own fruit bowl and veggie area in the fridge is ridiculously helpful. 

Manarelle, thanks so much for the encouragement! Next time I'm setting a personal challenge to check in with OTHER people's threads, as well as my own.  It was apparently just a littttttle too much for me this go-around.  

[Manarelle]

Congrats on the job! That's great that it's with somewhere that you feel positive about! Also, very nice work on your challenges - I agree with you that changing goals to be challenging but obtainable is a good thing, otherwise it's too tempting to feel overwhelmed and just quit. 

 

No worries on the social aspect - everyone goes at their own pace! I've found that even just reading through others' posts can give you new ideas on where to go next, but you have to focus on your own goals first.  See you in the next challenge and good luck on the new job!