Challenge: Read a book in a week.
372 pages in 7 days. That's the fastest I've ever read a book. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins was a book I kept hearing about from people. I figured it has to be somewhat entertaining since they're making it into a movie. And it was. I recommend it. I'm onto the second part of the trilogy, but downloaded an audiobook. It seems like cheating, but I am much more excited to get in my car to drive anywhere now.
Take-aways
1. Reading a book in a compressed amount of times really makes it more enjoyable versus reading sporatically and feeling out of touch with the book.
2. I can see why so many people read. It's sometimes better than a movie because I get to use my imagination. And what an imagination I have.
NEXT CHALLENGE: MEET AS MANY STRANGERS AS POSSIBLE
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
#7 - No Profanity
Challenge: No cursing for any reason.
I f***ed this one up. Swearing has become a common part of my vernacular. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. It just is. I try not to swear around anyone who I know would be offended by it. But other than that, I just don't give a s**t. That said, it's probably good to practice restraint and discipline of the tongue. It was very difficult, especially since I played a round of golf and two nights of softball this week. I swear more in competition.
I ended up with a total of 15 swears for the week. Most times, I would remember the challenge immediately after swearing.
Take-aways
1. Trying to be even-keel in sporting activities is difficult, but has allowed me to enjoy golf more.
2. I think I swear because I feel a need to show and release frustration. Holding my tongue makes me feel better about myself after competition.
3. I do not think I will stop swearing, but will try to limit it in competitions.
NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: FINISH A BOOK
I f***ed this one up. Swearing has become a common part of my vernacular. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. It just is. I try not to swear around anyone who I know would be offended by it. But other than that, I just don't give a s**t. That said, it's probably good to practice restraint and discipline of the tongue. It was very difficult, especially since I played a round of golf and two nights of softball this week. I swear more in competition.
I ended up with a total of 15 swears for the week. Most times, I would remember the challenge immediately after swearing.
Take-aways
1. Trying to be even-keel in sporting activities is difficult, but has allowed me to enjoy golf more.
2. I think I swear because I feel a need to show and release frustration. Holding my tongue makes me feel better about myself after competition.
3. I do not think I will stop swearing, but will try to limit it in competitions.
NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: FINISH A BOOK
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
#6 - No Car
Challenge: No driving my car or any car.
Three days before this challenge was over, I nearly gave up. It was becoming a headache to coordinate rides everywhere and with a busy weekend ahead, I just didn't think it was worth pissing off some friends and family. But I couldn't give up and so I proceeded to inconvenience others, particularly my wife. (Thank you God for friends and a wife)
Riding the bus and light rail to work was actually nice. It was an hour and a half ride each way, so I had lots of time to read or work on music - it was kind of forced but nice to have. Except for the day when the light rail broke down and it took me over 2 hours to get work.
Interesting Nugget: 145,000 Minnesota households do not have a car.
Take-aways
1. Dependency on others is a hard pill for me to swallow. But relying on others isn't a bad things sometimes. It shows that we all need to help each other out and we're all better for it.
2. Riding public transportation, walking or biking has some huge benefits. It's cheaper, cleaner and you feel better than others who drive everywhere, like look at all the lazy people driving everywhere.(I only felt this way for a week)
3. Driving is way more convenient. If you've ever not had a car for a period of time, you know the freedomless feeling.
NEXT CHALLENGE: PROFANITY PROHIBITED
Three days before this challenge was over, I nearly gave up. It was becoming a headache to coordinate rides everywhere and with a busy weekend ahead, I just didn't think it was worth pissing off some friends and family. But I couldn't give up and so I proceeded to inconvenience others, particularly my wife. (Thank you God for friends and a wife)
Riding the bus and light rail to work was actually nice. It was an hour and a half ride each way, so I had lots of time to read or work on music - it was kind of forced but nice to have. Except for the day when the light rail broke down and it took me over 2 hours to get work.
Interesting Nugget: 145,000 Minnesota households do not have a car.
Take-aways
1. Dependency on others is a hard pill for me to swallow. But relying on others isn't a bad things sometimes. It shows that we all need to help each other out and we're all better for it.
2. Riding public transportation, walking or biking has some huge benefits. It's cheaper, cleaner and you feel better than others who drive everywhere, like look at all the lazy people driving everywhere.(I only felt this way for a week)
3. Driving is way more convenient. If you've ever not had a car for a period of time, you know the freedomless feeling.
NEXT CHALLENGE: PROFANITY PROHIBITED
Monday, August 1, 2011
#5 - No Cell Phone
Challenge: No use of cell phone. Landline phones are acceptable.
I'm not sure how people functioned prior to cell phones. Maybe times were less busy back then. But this was a difficult challenge as I found myself in more than one frustration situation with no way to reach anyone. Planning ahead of time or via email was key. Needless to say, I failed on Day #1 to call friends as we needed an extra players for softball. I was extremely torn on whether to fail my challenge or possibly forfeit our softball game. I guess you see where my priorities lie. I did rebound and make it the next 6 straight days.
Take-aways
Texting to people via email was super helpful. Here's how you address an email to someone's phone and it will come across in a text.
AT&T – cellnumber@txt.att.net
Verizon – cellnumber@vtext.com
T-Mobile – cellnumber@tmomail.net
Sprint PCS - cellnumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
You can also do the reverse and send an email to someone by texting their email address instead of phone number.
NEXT CHALLENGE: NO CAR
I'm not sure how people functioned prior to cell phones. Maybe times were less busy back then. But this was a difficult challenge as I found myself in more than one frustration situation with no way to reach anyone. Planning ahead of time or via email was key. Needless to say, I failed on Day #1 to call friends as we needed an extra players for softball. I was extremely torn on whether to fail my challenge or possibly forfeit our softball game. I guess you see where my priorities lie. I did rebound and make it the next 6 straight days.
Take-aways
Texting to people via email was super helpful. Here's how you address an email to someone's phone and it will come across in a text.
AT&T – cellnumber@txt.att.net
Verizon – cellnumber@vtext.com
T-Mobile – cellnumber@tmomail.net
Sprint PCS - cellnumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
You can also do the reverse and send an email to someone by texting their email address instead of phone number.
NEXT CHALLENGE: NO CAR
Monday, July 25, 2011
#4 - Chopstick Only*
Challenge: Use chopsticks for anything that I would normally use silverware for.
Chopsticks are supposed to be thought of as an extension of ones fingers. I don't know how the Chinese do it. Though it may improve your finger dexterity, it makes eating a chore. It's like playing the operation game with food. That's how pissed I got when trying to pick up some oatmeal with these things. Overall, I think I'm better for it because I never was good at using chopsticks.
*On the last night before the challenge ended, I forgot about my chopsticks and used silverware. I will be foregoing silverware at dinner tonight to somewhat make up for this blunder.
Take-aways:
1. I ate probably half of my meals with my hands, which I never really thought about until now. Burgers, sandwiches, cookies, fruit, etc.
2. Improved finger dexterity has led me to complete the game of Operation in under 10 seconds.
NEXT CHALLENGE: NO CELL PHONE
Chopsticks are supposed to be thought of as an extension of ones fingers. I don't know how the Chinese do it. Though it may improve your finger dexterity, it makes eating a chore. It's like playing the operation game with food. That's how pissed I got when trying to pick up some oatmeal with these things. Overall, I think I'm better for it because I never was good at using chopsticks.
*On the last night before the challenge ended, I forgot about my chopsticks and used silverware. I will be foregoing silverware at dinner tonight to somewhat make up for this blunder.
Take-aways:
1. I ate probably half of my meals with my hands, which I never really thought about until now. Burgers, sandwiches, cookies, fruit, etc.
2. Improved finger dexterity has led me to complete the game of Operation in under 10 seconds.
NEXT CHALLENGE: NO CELL PHONE
Monday, July 18, 2011
#3 - Stairmaster
I'll admit I wasn't too afraid of this challenge. Until I got to that 8th flight of stairs and had 5 more to go still. All in all, I climbed up and down 96 flights of stairs. According to my math, I burned about 450 calories by doing so. Just enough to justify almost all the shit I ate this week.
No learnings. Just out of breath.
I think I will keep taking the stairs whenever possible. Plus it has really helped in bulking up my legs.
Challenge: Take the stairs always - no using the elevator.
NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: CHOPSTICKS ONLY
No learnings. Just out of breath.
I think I will keep taking the stairs whenever possible. Plus it has really helped in bulking up my legs.
Challenge: Take the stairs always - no using the elevator.
NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: CHOPSTICKS ONLY
#2 - Save the nails
Challenge: Not biting my nails.
I've tried to quit this habit multiple times, but I can never get past a few days. I can say I successfully made it more than a week on this challenge (8 days) and then I fell apart. It was quite the snowball effect.
Learnings
1. It's unbelievable how many times I put my hands up to my face as if it were like blinking or breathing. It had to be like every 5-10 minutes and then I would remember that I have a challenge to conquer. Habits are hard not to bite.
2. It felt really good to be able to open things, like pop cans, without having to use an object to pry it up. The scratching capabilities of nails are also amazing. Nails come in handy more than just for biting.
I will continue to fight the good fight on this one.
NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: STAIRMASTER
I've tried to quit this habit multiple times, but I can never get past a few days. I can say I successfully made it more than a week on this challenge (8 days) and then I fell apart. It was quite the snowball effect.
Learnings
1. It's unbelievable how many times I put my hands up to my face as if it were like blinking or breathing. It had to be like every 5-10 minutes and then I would remember that I have a challenge to conquer. Habits are hard not to bite.
2. It felt really good to be able to open things, like pop cans, without having to use an object to pry it up. The scratching capabilities of nails are also amazing. Nails come in handy more than just for biting.
I will continue to fight the good fight on this one.
NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: STAIRMASTER
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