Tag: goals

2024 – Time to Review

In “40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World,” Howard G. Buffett shares his personal journey of using his wealth and influence to combat global hunger and poverty. Drawing from his experiences as a farmer and philanthropist, Buffett reflects on the 40 opportunities—referred to as “chances”—that a person has in their lifetime to create a meaningful impact. Essentially, each chance represents a year or a growing season.

The title and premise of the book are particularly impactful, highlighting the limited nature of our opportunities. Regardless of whether we analyze our chances over years, months, weeks, or days, it is essential to recognize that we are afforded a finite number of opportunities in life. This understanding encourages me to make the most of every moment.

As we near the end of the year, I find myself reflecting on my year. This time signifies both closure and the promise of new beginnings. Over the couple of days, I will review my goals and aspirations for 2024. While I have celebrated some victories, there have also been moments when I fell short. When January 1st arrives, I plan to take the time not only to dream but also to set purposeful goals for 2025. Here’s to the new opportunities that lie ahead!

The Streak

Since 2017, I have been using walking as my primary form of exercise and fitness. During that summer, I bought a Fitbit and started my fitness journey. That also marked the beginning of my obsession with steps. Over the next three years, I have walked so much that I had to replace my shoes multiple times. While walking, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts, which make the experience more enjoyable. Overall, I felt much better and healthier after incorporating walking into my daily routine.

I am determined to achieve at least 10,000 steps every day (approximately five miles). Before 2020, I used to accomplish this goal on most days. I am proud to have set multiple personal records, including 41,000+ steps in a day, 215,000+ steps in a week, and 715,000+ steps in a month. However, one record still eludes me – 365 consecutive days with 10,000 steps or more. Despite this, I am motivated to keep pushing myself and working towards this achievement.

Let me take you back to the beginning of 2020, a time when the world was full of hope and anticipation for a great year ahead. As for me, January kicked off with a trip to London, where I spent most of the month teaching a course on Brexit with a great colleague and a group of primarily enthusiastic students. Later that month, I flew back just in time for my oldest son’s wedding – a beautiful celebration with family and friends.

It seemed like everything was going smoothly when February rolled around, and the start of another semester loomed ahead. Despite the busy schedule, my wife and I had a San Diego trip planned for early March, and we were both eagerly looking forward to it. Little did we know that this trip would be one of the last normal things we would do for a while.

I totally failed my goal of walking 10,000 steps on February 29, 2020. I have no clue why it didn’t happen. That day, I went to an Augie basketball game and watched them lose by two points in the conference tournament, which was really sad. Maybe I was so bummed about the loss that I didn’t feel like walking at all.

Can you believe it’s been four years since I last missed my step goal? That’s right, February 29, 2020, was the last time I fell short, and since then, I’ve been crushing my daily target of 10,000 steps or more for 1,460 consecutive days. It’s been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have made it this far.

Although my memory is somewhat blurry, I recall that I had planned to begin a new streak on March 1, 2020. I was quite enthusiastic about it because our upcoming trip would have given me a good head start on my goal. Unfortunately, what I didn’t expect was the outbreak of a global pandemic that would bring about the shutdown of society.

From the very beginning of the pandemic, I committed myself to walking at least 10,000 steps every single day until the pandemic came to an end. I thought it would last for only six months, but as it turns out, it was a significant part of our lives for almost a year. But you know what? This has been one of the most exciting challenges I have ever taken up. Who would have thought the habits I started during that unprecedented time would become a permanent part of my life? It’s exciting to think about the positive impact this challenge has had on my life.

Every day, I kick off my mornings with a brisk walk lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Time permitting, I take another walk after work as well. Whether it’s outside enjoying the fresh air or indoors on a treadmill, I ensure that exercise is an integral part of my daily routine. I am committed to this routine, and breaking the streak is not even a remote possibility at the moment.

What streak are you starting today?

*The picture attached to this post was taken during a March 2020 walk along a San Diego beach.

Groundhog Day

Every day is a new opportunity to embrace change and look forward to what the future holds. As we celebrate Groundhog Day, let’s remember that no matter what the outcome may be, we have the power to make the most of every moment and create our own sunshine.

One of my favorite movies is “Groundhog Day” starring Andie McDowell and Bill Murray. The movie focuses on Murray’s character who repeats the same day over and over again. During his repetition, he experiences a broad range of emotions. At first, he is frustrated and unhappy. He feels trapped living the same day repeatedly. Eventually, he decides this is an opportunity to become a better person and improve. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, I highly recommend it to you.

Whenever I watch the movie ‘Groundhog Day’, I can’t help but contemplate what I would do if I woke up every day to the same events as the day before. Would I take advantage of the opportunity to better myself, my community, my country, and the world? Or would I live recklessly and take unnecessary risks?

At the start of 2024, I set some goals for myself. Time has flown by and we’re already almost 10% of the way through the year. Today, I took some time to reflect on how I’ve been doing so far. Unfortunately, I haven’t made significant progress towards my more important goals. For instance, I had planned to write a blog post every week, but this is the first post I’ve written since December.

I will be glad to help you with that. Here’s a corrected version with clearer language and proper punctuation:

Referring to today’s theme of Groundhog Day, I aim to be more like Bill Murray’s character in the movie’s ending. I believe that every day is precious and should not be squandered. Therefore, my goal for February is to write one meaningful blog post every week.

To achieve your goals, it’s important to regularly measure and evaluate progress. I’ll follow up in a week to report my progress. Have a fantastic week!

Day 19 Gratitude Challenge

It’s hard to believe that four years ago, I took and posted a picture that changed everything. It was during my first gratitude challenge.

I remember being in my backyard and taking the picture. It was an unseasonably warm November day similar to yesterday. I decided to post the picture with some clever words related to my teaching in a hoodie. Early in my teaching career, I was strictly a suit and tie person. So to teach class in a hoodie was out of character. But this was also at the height of the pandemic, and I was teaching online, so everything seemed out of character. Attached to the post where the following words:

I’m teaching class today in my @augievolleyball hoodie Why?

  1. Because I love the coaches and players
  2. Because I can!
  3. It’s a great day!
  4. My @augieutennis hoodie is worn out
  5. It’s the only Augie hoodie I have
  6. My mom will probably appreciate a picture of me.

What followed was unexpected. As I looked at the picture, I barely recognized the person in it. I knew something needed to change. It is amazing how motivating a picture can be.

I decided to lose weight and take control of my health. I began the process alone, I told no one what I was doing. I set a goal weight which I thought was ridiculous. Over the next five months, I lost approximately 60 pounds. Though I have gained a few pounds back, I am still 50 pounds lighter than this picture (interestingly I am at the original goal weight). I am healthier. I feel better. I have less pain. I sleep better. For all these things I am grateful.

The challenge today is to give thanks for unknown blessings already in their way. Bonus challenge is to pay it forward. By a stranger coffee or a meal. Have a great day!

1234 and beyond

On February 29, 2020, the first death related to the coronavirus in the United States was reported. At the time nearly 3,000 people worldwide had died. Less than 100 confirmed cases existed in the United States. Little did any of us know how our lives would change over the next few weeks, months, and years.

This post isn’t about the pandemic. This post is about something else that happened on February 29, 2020. It was the last day that I took fewer than 10,000 steps. I don’t recall why I took a break from my standard step regimen that day but I did. Perhaps I was tired.

I recall that I resolved to start a new streak on March 1, 2020. My original goals were to 1) beat my old streak (which escapes me but I think was about 180 days), 2) keep the streak alive for at least 365 days, and 3) keep the streak alive for the duration of the anticipated pandemic – however long.

So here we are over three years later and the streak continues. To be precise, one thousand two hundred thirty-four days have one and gone since the last leap day. 1, 234 is a number that is orderly, progressive, and linear. A number that stands for so much.

I have faced many obstacles during the streak, including work, illness, weather, travel, and motivation. I have learned much about myself and achieved more than I could imagine. Mostly, I have learned to believe in myself and work steadily each day. I am proud of the streak.

Earlier in the streak, I averaged over 20,000 steps a day. My current trend is averaging 12,000-13,000 steps per day. So the pace is slowing but the drive to keep it going is not. Someday, the streak will end. Yesterday was not the day it ended. I have no plans to end it today either.

Day 26 Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday I was reading about tapping into intrinsic motivation. One idea from the reading was the idea that sometimes you need to look back to move forward. Often we focus on how far we have to go rather than how far we have come. Looking forward can be overwhelming if you have a lot of work ahead. So sometimes, one should look back for motivation.

Today, I look back. I look back to February 29, 2020. It was a Saturday. The pandemic was about to hit the United States with full force. I was planning a trip to San Diego with my wife. She worked for a bank three hours away and I worked for a non-profit organization. Neither of us was particularly satisfied with our professional lives. My health had much room for improvement. While I have no recollection of what I did that day, I know one thing I did NOT do that day. I didn’t take at least 10,000 steps.

In the summer of 2017, I became a walker. I took long walks because my schedule allowed me to do so. At my peak, I would walk about 22,000 steps most days. This is approximately the equivalent of 10 miles. But, sometimes life happens and I wouldn’t achieve my daily goal of 10,000 steps. I think my longest streak was bout 200 consecutive days with 10,000 steps or more. Usually, a streak would end because I was sick or traveling.

However, when I awoke on the morning of March 1, 2020, I resolved to walk at least 10,000 steps every day until the pandemic was over. At the time, I thought this would be no more than four months. Yet, we all know the story, it lasted longer than four months.

Yesterday was a milestone day in the goal. Yesterday, the streak reached 1,000 days. Looking back, it is quite impressive. 33 consecutive months. Three months more and it will be three years. While the early days were easy because walking outside was one of the few “permitted” activities, the last 200 have been a challenge with a career change, increased travel, and an illness. If I was looking forward to another 1,000 days, it would be easy to be overwhelmed.

Looking back, I took over 10,000,000 steps and walked more than 4,000 miles. If I had set that specific goal, it would have seemed overwhelming. Instead, I took it one day at a time. Looking back, it is remarkable and I am proud of myself. Today, I am grateful for the opportunity and the ability to accomplish this goal. The challenge today is to take a walk, preferably outside, and start working towards a fitness goal.

The Battle is Rejoined

It all started with a picture. A picture of me I didn’t like. A picture that motivated a significant lifestyle change. The picture was taken 20 months ago.

Since the picture, I lost a lot of weight. Most of the weight came off in the first three months. Over the last 17 months, there has been a slight downward trend.

All of this is good. I am still 60+ pounds off my high. I have mostly maintained the weight loss (give or take 5 pounds). I am still walking every day (at least 10,000 steps per day for 899 days). Occasionally I jog. I eat healthier than before. I am still amazed by my progress and celebrate the progress I have made so far.

Yet, I want more. I have a new number and fitness level in mind. My new goal is 20 pounds lower (don’t worry – if I lose 20 more pounds, I will still be “overweight” according to CDC BMI guidelines). My new number is a good number. It will put me down 80 or two softener salt bags. My new number will also incorporate some more weight training to obtain a higher fitness level.

So I will blog about it in real-time this time. So I begin with my why:

First, I believe 20 pounds down will be a healthier and happier weight for me. Second, I want to lower my health risks. For further information, search “health risks of being overweight.” Third, I want to break the pattern. Both my fathers died in their mid-60s. (Note: Both ate poorly, smoked, drank, and got little exercise). Fifth, I want to see my children grow older. Finally, I promised my wife a trip in 2044. I need to be around for this.

So the battle is rejoined. 20 pounds or bust – or 20 pounds is a must. Let the fun begin!

700 Days

At the beginning of the pandemic, I set a goal to walk for 10,000 steps (approximately 5 miles) every day until the pandemic was over. I started on March 1, 2020. Yesterday, while walking my dog, I completed 700 days.

While I am ready for the pandemic to be over, I am not ready for this streak to end. New goal is 1000 days. Focus forward.

New Beginning

It is the first Monday in October. For US Supreme Court junkies, this is the beginning of a new year. What cases will they hear? What decisions will they make? It certainly will be an interesting Supreme Court term

The start of a new day, week, month, semester, or year is an excellent time to start something new. It serves as an important reminder to start a new. Your failures of past are erased with a fresh start. It’s like a do over or a mulligan. Further, research shows when people utilize these fresh start points, they are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals.

So, rejoice in this new beginning today. Set new goals. Make yourself better today.My goals for today are:

⁃ To write a short blog post

⁃ To finish the book How To Change

⁃ To finalize an exam I will be giving to students tomorrow.

⁃ To grade at least 1/3 of the outstanding assignments that have been turned in by my students.

⁃ To prepare for class tomorrow.

⁃ To drink at least 90 ounces of water.

– To walk at least 10,000 steps

⁃ To make healthy eating choices all day

⁃ To send a card or letter to at least one person in my life

⁃ To celebrate each goal I achieve

I better go! looks like I’m going to have a busy day.