That's right, never fear, the morale menagerie has mercifully meandered its way back into town for the first of its fortnightly forays. I hope the initial weeks of 2015 have been altogether pleasant for you. Now roll up and tell us all about your progress!
You are of course free to respond as you please, but here's a couple of cues to perhaps focus this week's check-in:
1. Elaborate on one goal of yours that has seen the most progress and/or productivity.
2. Elaborate on one goals of yours that has seen the least amount progress or has been the most frustrating.
Some things you might consider: Where they realistic goals? Have you progressed better than your though you might? Has your goal been adapted? Did something unexpected come up? Have you perhaps developed a new goal?
Thanks to lil for the suggestion of structuring the post with specific questions.
P.S. The document of compiled goals can be seen here. Feel free to add yourself if you have not yet done so. If you didn't participate in the past thread(s), that's okay too. You can also join in whenever you like, so go ahead.
Shoutouts, let me know if you wish to be adder or removed: nowaypablo, ghostoffuffle, kleinbl00, thundara, veen, OftenBen, lil, thenewgreen, swedishbadgergirl, doesntgolf blackbootz @cumol@ ButterflyEffect
I did do a blogpost. HabitRPG approached me for writing an article, since I wrote one about them a while ago and they've added a bunch of new stuff since. You can see said post here. It was pretty cool to hear that my writing actually helped somebody out - apparently my article got them a bunch of viewers. Even though I write for myself for the most part, it's nice to hear anyways. Got another blogpost due tonight. I'm shooting for Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have said yes to a couple of things, but I haven't talked to many people in my classes so there hasn't been much that's made me all that anxious. Added a couple of other goals that sprung up naturally that I should probably add to the list at some point: Floss everyday. I think it was b_b that talked about how great it is, and holy crap, it is. Been doing a journal entry every day. Been going to bed at or around 10PM pretty much every day, including weekends. Reading a little every day. That's pretty much it. Good luck everyone. Edit: Other blog-post done. Proof in pudding.
I've tried to use that HabitRPG site a number of times but it never stuck. It seems the kind of thing that would just augment the process for someone who is motivated anyway. Though I haven't been on it for a while so I don't know what's new. Nice one nailing those daily habits though. I was doing well with my waking up at 9am latest but its slipped over the last few days. What are you reading at the moment?
Crockpot: Failing Science: Check Draw: Failing The damn crockpot is sitting there by the doorway every morning. It knows I'm not honoring my commitment. It's previous owner neglected it and it fears I will do the same. It's bitter with envy towards the pot of pasta and the pan of sweet sauce. When I close the door at night, I hear its lid rattling. Taunting me.
1. I'd say my most successful goal is probably meditating every day. I am currently on a 15 day run, which is the longest I've held for a over half a year probably. The sessions have moved on from 'plain' mindfulness and now developing more exploratory attitude. In them, once you're settled, you ask a question or replay a certain type of memory and then observe what feeling or emotion arises. It might be a question like 'How would you feel if you knew that today was you last day?' Or remembering a time some did something nice for you. Once you've become aware of the emotion, you settle into it for the rest of the session. Sometimes they're pleasant, sometimes not so much. The idea is to become more aware and familiar with the emotions and states you feel in response to the things you say and do. I have found it really grounding and its really nice to come out of a session feeling like you've really let your mind and body be free. 2. My most frustrating goal has been learning to code. The Codecademy website Python route seemed really good, until it said: "okay, let's practice, do this without our help now" and I quickly found that I hadn't actually learnt much. It is lackluster on the explanation and reinforcement of concepts and syntax and goes way too fast, in my opinion. I have now signed up to a one month free trial on Treehouse instead and it already seems 100% better. One thing I can take away from Codecademy is I think I enjoy coding and it motivating me to continue. It's just its method, for Python anyway, seemed a bit too shabby. I might return to it at some point, we'll see.
Project Euler got me started with Python. If you don't hate math, it can be a lot of fun. And you can make some satisfying progress without opening a book or buying anything. Problem 1 requires variables, looping and some IF conditions. The very basics. You can solve it on codepad. Google up some hello world code and make sure it works, then start tweaking. After solving each problem, you have access to the forum for that problem, where you will get a lot of ideas about how other people approached the problem.
Yo, sounds like you need to learn python the hard way.
Well.
I'm really sick. I haven't been to school this year yet. I am to tired to study. I need new goals. But on the bright side - I have time with a specialist on the disease I seem to have in a week and I have been writing a lot.
That sucks. It hard enough sticking to goals when you feel good, let alone when you're run down. @rufugee@'s suggestion is a good one. Also, I noticed all your goals are study/work related. Perhaps having one or two that put you in a different space might be beneficial?
Before I found out that I have some kind of illness I just thought I had very crappy study habits and was shit at studying. Now I kind of feel proud for managing this semester without my grades falling apart completely and actually managing good grades. I think I'm going to revise my goals after I've/we've figured out exactly how my schooling is going be from now on. And put in some writing related ones.
I think I will. Writing is wonderful. I've always loved doing it because I love telling stories and that is wonderful to do when you are to sick to do anything else.
- Move out of LA ...well, that wasn't going to happen in two weeks. However, we're meeting with a commercial real estate agent in Seattle in two weeks and spending 8 days up there fostering connections and establishing a network. - Rebuild wife's business in another market See previous. The massive GIS analysis from hell is nearing completion, thanks to veen. We essentially have three different verifications of an independent hypothesis, which makes me feel pretty good about its accuracy. We also have an architect looking at plans. - Learn WWIse & FMod CERTIFIED IN WWISE LAST NIGHT BEYOTCHES Test was gnarly. The quizzes are these cute little things that you get to check and recheck. The certification test was 80 questions, 90 minute time limit and full of super-tedious minutiae. You get two whacks at it and then they bill you $200 again. Oh, and you have to get 90% or better. I got 91%, and I don't think I would have done better healthy. - Add another industry to roster The next step is probably to learn Unity, at which point I'll probably start coding some goofy little games. I'm trying to work a way towards getting FMod certification for less than they want, 'cuz they want a lot. Then I'll maybe whip out some shitty little iPhone game just to prove I can. Maybe something unspeakably awesome like Frozen Anna Give Birth A Baby. Yes, it's a Buzzfeed link. Yes, you still must click it. Oh, yeah. And my book went from "dead in the water begging for scraps" to "my agent wants the editor who discovered Robert Ludlum and Thomas Harris to take a look at it." So that's nice. - Log into MyFitnessPal every goddamn day every.goddamn.day.
Promise that you'll post when you make some goofy little games. I like goofy little games way to much.
1. Been to the gym twice this week. Core and arms monday, legs yesterday, probably going back to core and arms tomorrow. A big development has occurred professionally, but I don't want to say too much as of yet.
2. Haven't touched my guitar at all this week, and not for lack of time.
Good work on the gym! Do you currently have a specific target you're aiming for or are you just enjoying it for what it is? Whenever I start getting less interested with my guitar, I always find a new song that's slightly out of my skill range to learn. It gives you a reason to come back to it every day and doesn't feel like you're stuck playing the same old stuff. If you haven't already, check out the program 'Guitar Pro', it's a really useful learning tool.
I'll let you know when I start enjoying working out. I track 2 measurements, my waistline, and the ease with which I can load/unload my kayaks. Since I was never allowed to do ANYTHING at all athletic as a kid, I'm pretty out of shape compared to the general populace. If I tracked how fast (slow) my runs(alternating jogging/brisk walking) are, I'd probably just get discouraged and stop altogether. I work out so that I may enjoy higher quality of life, and personally I don't think I'd gain anything by quantifying my workout. RE: Guitar stuff, I just can't seem to find anything in the style I want, within the skill level I'm currently capable of. But mostly laziness this week.Do you currently have a specific target you're aiming for or are you just enjoying it for what it is?
Hi everyone! I'm new to hubski, some of you guys might have seen me around, but you all seem like really nice people! Right now my largest priorities are school and my future, so I did resolve at the beginning of the year to: 1) Get my IB diploma (it's a big deal to me, I've put ridiculous sums of work in) 2) Successfully make the switch from high school to university, and hopefully land on my feet as soon as I start! I'm hoping to get into a program there that would give me an awesome scholarship. I would get to take accelerated courses for computer science--which I'm only decent at, but want to learn. Right now I'm procrastinating a paper I have to write, but I'm going to get it done pretty soon, if I can stay on task...Maybe I should add procrastination as something to get better about. Good luck to everyone else!
Welcome! You're not in the U.S. are you? I know many IB-ers, but none in the states. And to answer your description question, yes, you and I happen to be on the younger side of Hubski. It's a good thing.
I'm from the US! I'm actually from a city in the Midwest of about 250,000. The IB is really new here, I'm the 7th class to be sitting exams in may. There's a bigger program in a larger city north of us, but I'm kind of in the middle of nowhere on the grand scale of things... Where are you from?
I did do IB. Three years ago. I don't remember much. swedishbadgergirl is currently going through it, though, while also simultaneously being a badass and fighting off a tough illness. Give'er some props, fo'sho.
HAH. Was it worth it? I guess. Yes and no. For the college credit, sure. I got about 28 credits from the exams, so when I started PoliSci and switched to Computer Science and a minor my Sophomore year, I can still finish Uni in about 5 years instead of four. So it was a good buffer. You'll probably change your mind about your degree at least once, and the extra credits won't make you feel as bad about switching. Did I learn anything? Not really. I learned how to game the system and tell the IB Graders what they wanted to hear. I don't really feel like I gained anything from them. That being said, it did make college easier. Keep in mind that in High School you're taking like 8 College Level classes, whereas in College you'll at max be taking 5-6 (if you're smart and don't just drop 18-20 credits on yourself. Don't do that shit.). So you have less work to do, but know how to handle the workload. And I hated all but like 5 people in the IB program. They treated it like a fucking cult, called it an "IB family", and would just go on and on about it. The running joke with my friends is: How do you know someone was in IB? Just wait, they'll tell you five minutes after you meet them. So protip there: no one gives a fuck if you were in IB after your freshman year at college, and if you tell them about how you were in it, no one will appreciate it, or care. You're all the same once you hit college. And some people crash and burn freshman year, too. Girl that works for me had this exact issue her freshman year. Graduated from IB last year, came to my Uni this year, and fucked up completely, got like a 1.9 GPA her first semester. Don't make IB your highpoint. You're just getting started. So, like I said, don't remember much. It'll just be a memory to you soon.
Gaming the system is the best skill that IB has taught me so far, to be honest. When you're good at it, it can be beneficial, but you can't do it unless you know the course content to some degree. Also, did you get your diploma? God dammit I feel the "IB family" complaints too fucking much. I have a handful of people I enjoy, but the majority of them are completely insufferable. I think that several of them actually believe they're not only more intelligent, but somehow also morally superior to people not in IB. These are the same people who were told they had a high IQ when they were 10 and have been riding that train ever since. And yeah, I kind of figured no one in college would give a fuck. Hell, I don't tell my friends in high school about it unless they ask me. Anyways, thanks for being honest. There are so many people who say shit like, "IB was the best thing that I ever did!" and completely glorify the program, so it's refreshing to hear someone who's real about it. Hope you don't mind if I ask you another question, but I'm looking at doing computer science in college right now...is there anything I should know ahead of time that would help me? I'm pretty good with computers already, and I've been picking up bits of java when I've had time, but I don't really know what I'm doing.
I did, not that it's important. You don't find out if you got it or not till mid-summer, and you don't get the actual diploma until November. And it's hideous. I have it shoved at the bottom of a pile of papers in...some drawer in my apartment. THE BIGGEST THING TO KNOW ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE: 75% of the people in the program will proooobably be garbage. Ignore the fuckers that talk about how they've been coding since they were 4. Ignore the fuckers that bring up concepts that you won't get to until your third class. Ignore the fuckers that compare lines of code like they're compensating for something. There is an invisible power-struggle going on in CompSci classes all the time. Ignore all of it. Focus on your skills and your classes, and DON'T worry about what other people are doing, how far into the program they are, etc. etc. etc. By Junior year, you'll all be struggling with the same shit. But the difference between you and that asshole that thinks everything should be done in Haskell is that you will have the perseverance and know-how to get through the difficulty. For the other person, it'll be the first time they encounter something difficult. And 7 times out of 10, they'll shut down. Also, watch out for the weird freaks. If you have friends who are girls, screen any CompSci kids you meet before you let them talk to said girls. Most of them are relatively sexist, superior STEM-lords and if you have a hint of social viability you'll realize they're pompous asses. Honestly, if you can, make friends from OTHER departments/programs, that have well-rounded views and experiences and are generally not horribly awkward. As for skills - obviously practicing before you start the program would help a little, but it doesn't matter that much. I started from square one my Sophomore year and it was fine. Focus on fundamentals and theory, though, not languages - every professor is probably going to teach you a different language, although generally they start from Python and move on to Java for most of the time. If you want to practice before you start, try learn python the hard way,. It's a pretty good primer, and while it teaches you python, it also does a good (and important) job of teaching you theory.
Yeah, I kind of realized this year that I really didn't need to do IB. I'm finishing it up because I've already put in so much work, but the passion is gone after I realized how little IB can actually help me. Doesn't the diploma look like the cover sheet of the tests? I saw one of my friend's, and I felt strangely disappointed . I know I'm not entitled to a diploma that's aesthetically pleasing, but jesus...all that work for such a useless slip of 8x11 printer paper? I have a few friends in the program I'm trying to enter into, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_S._Raikes_School if you want to read up), and I think they try to screen for the "7 out of 10" types. I only have one or two friends in the program, and even though they're easy enough to be around, I think I'll definitely be around the type you described. You've got some really good advice, though. I've got an interview coming up in a month, and I think you've inspired me a bit! Where are you at right now in your life? I'll check out the python course and get back to you, I think it will be useful even if not entirely necessary.
Oh God not Nebraska. Although that's interesting as that's pretty much the exact program that I'm doing, just not in a specialized school. That being said, it will be even more important to find people to get to know that don't do CompSci and nothing else. It'll broaden your viewpoint and give you things to think about. My roommate is all CompSci/Math, all the time. He's the same asshole that calls Arts and Sciences, "Arts and Crafts", without a hint of irony or forethought, then jerks it to how amazing Breaking Bad is - you know, a show that requires ARTISTS to work on it. Oooh he grinds mah gears. Basically he's Reddit personified. I try not to talk to him often. Uh...my junior year, I guess? I'm just chugging along, working and what not. I'm not sure what you mean with your question, though, haha. If you elaborate I'll try to answer. But I'm glad I could give some good advice.Where you at right now in your life
Lil linked me to your trip report. Sea of corn is accurate, although we don't corn quite as well as Iowans. I really don't like it here much, but UNL has given me some important scholarships. I applied to other schools, but nowhere I can really afford--my main financial goal right now is to avoid as much debt as possible. If I get into Raikes, they'll match my regents scholarship, and I shouldn't have much debt at all...probably. I don't know. How hard is it to find people outside of your classes in college? I have no idea what it'll be like. God, I hate that type of person. That is the type of person I want to avoid, and you're totally right to call him reddit personified. There's plenty of people like that in high school, and they're difficult to be around. I didn't really mean anything specific, you just seemed like you had things together, so I wasn't sure if you were still in college or what.
Well, yours is a special case, in terms of finding alright people outside of your classes in college, since they'll all be in the same program. Joining clubs/programs at my university helped me diversify a bit - Smash Club, Amnesty International, etc. etc. Try to give that a shot. Oh! Well thanks, I consider that a compliment. Truthfully though I am just spiraling through the air and wondering if I'll not splatter on the ground soon or land on my feet. It's easier to give advice than it is to use it, is what I'm saying.How hard is it to find people outside of your classes in college? I have no idea what it'll be like.
I didn't really mean anything specific, you just seemed like you had things together, so I wasn't sure if you were still in college or what.
1) Getting baked way too much! It's not getting in the way of anything and I'm being as smart as possible relative to how stupid it is, but it's just too often and too accessible. I'm planning on taking everything I have to a party tomorrow, smoking everyone out and getting rid of it all that way so I have no more temptation. Break period for my goal extended from the end of February to mid March. I'd like to know that I'm capable of holding off for 2 months. 2) SAT's next week! Sweet fuck! I'm ready. 3) I decided to revert my $$$ spent on some hardware for music production, and buy a ticket to GovBall instead. As far as recording songs or dropping an album goes, I'm writing lyrics and doing all I can prior to actually beginning the endeavor! Good luck to all on your goals!!
The memory of my second year undergrad is pretty much a haze of smoke, so I feel you on that one. They were amazing times. But then, not having assured that I'd get no sleep, lose my appetite, and generally be searching for it until I had some. It ended up in a crazy panic attack follow by a year of anxiety, paranoia, and doubt. I don't intend to sound like an anti-drug PSA or anything. I mean, I still smoke it now, sometimes copiously, it's great. What i'm saying is that it's easy to say that you're 'getting baked too much' or your 'being smart' about it, but sometimes you don't fully realise until you're in too deep. Just a friendly word of advice. Be mindful. It's a much more enjoyable drug when enjoyed in moderation. I probably smoke a few days every fortnight now. You're smarter than I was, so I'm sure it's all good. Just googled 'GovBall' and it looks pretty sweet. Kb mentioned mobile apps. There's plenty of free tools out there you can get for touch screen devices to have a play around with electronic music stsuff. Might be a nice way to experiment whilst you're waiting for the $.
You're absolutely right about not realizing until I'm in too deep. It's what I'm trying to avoid now, while 'being smart' may not be the right word I'm at least not being 'completely utterly stupid,' but if I don't watch it I could easily fall to that level as well. Since this is my first time experiencing this sorta thing, I'll figure out how to handle it and I think I'll be fine. You're right though, I used to space it out a month at a time and every time was epic and memorable.. at this point it's kinda just alright. Hm. just for context, Governor's Ball is the major music festival on the East coast, relative to Bonnaroo or Lalapalooza in the Midwest and Coachella on the West coast. now i gotta learn how to save money!
He'd simply smoke so much so fast that it would be so unpleasant and the memory of it so repulsive that once he'd consumed it and gotten it out of his home and his life as quickly as possible he would never want to do it again. He would make it his business to create a really bad set of debauched associations with the stuff in his memory. The dope scared him. It made him afraid. It wasn't that he was afraid of the dope, it was that smoking it made him afraid of everything else. It had long since stopped being a release or relief or fun. This last time, he would smoke the whole 200 grams—120 grams cleaned, destemmed — in four days, over an ounce a day, all in tight heavy economical one-hitters off a quality virgin bong, an incredible, insane amount per day, he'd make it a mission, treating it like a penance and behavior-modification regimen all at once, he'd smoke his way through thirty high-grade grams a day, starting the moment he woke up and used ice water to detach his tongue from the roof of his mouth and took an antacid — averaging out to 200 or 300 heavy bong-hits per day, an insane and deliberately unpleasant amount, and he'd make it a mission to smoke it continuously, even though if the marijuana was as good as the woman claimed he'd do five hits and then not want to take the trouble to load and one-hit any more for at least an hour. But he would force himself to do it anyway. He would smoke it all even if he didn't want it. Even if it started to make him dizzy and ill. He would use discipline and persistence and will and make the whole experience so unpleasant, so debased and debauched and unpleasant, that his behavior would be henceforward modified, he'd never even want to do it again because the memory of the insane four days to come would be so firmly, terribly emblazoned in his memory. He'd cure himself by excess.
This is a beautiful, dramatic, well-written, and terrible plan. I love it.
It's not really a goal goal, just something I always am sorta trying to do but am not serious enough to do it... I haven't had a cigarette since outside the Bangkok airport on January 8th. I also haven't had a drink since the 7th, which is definitely correlated to my lack of cigarettes. (I'm not trying to not drink - it's just not really social acceptable in Sri Lanka for women to drink and I'm not staying at a tourist resort.) I leave for Dubai and then on to LAX at 8pm tonight. I will be having one when I land in LAX because fuck 24 hours of flying. I'll be bumming one from a random on the street - not buying a pack. I will enjoy it while waiting for my bag. And then I'm done. I leave for Costa Rica on January 19th with my family so I'll be unable to smoke there as well without getting the evil eye and upturned noses from the family. When I finally return home again on January 28th I'll have gone 20 days with one cigarette. Of course, I've ruined bigger streaks but I'm just aiming for not buying another pack of cigarettes.
1. I will run twice a week a distance greater than 3 miles in an effort to train for the Tar Heel 10 miler This is April 18th 2015 -Oh really, you will? You've not run once. 2. I will never eat any fast food. Ever I've done a good job of this 3. I will consume two drinks no more than two nights a week Nope, I'm failing here 4. I will go to bed by 10pm at least 3 nights a week I think I have actually done this 5. I will meet my sales goals by October 2015 I'm feeling good about this 6. I will have a revenue producing startup by EOY 2015 Yep 7. I will complete two albums, one of which being the Hubski Collaborative Music Project. I'm on pace... I think
1. Quit smoking cigarettes.
Haven't smoked in 2015 so far. :) And it's been pretty easy to be out and, after a few drinks, not feel the temptation.2. Stick to a workout plan.
I'm just starting a pull-up regimen. 3. Stick to using YNAB, or You Need A Budget, and be honest and critical when using it.
Check! Love this program. 4. Keep daily habits. Write every day. Read every day. Do some sort of exercise, even if it's a minute long handstand or some stretching. Brush and floss.
Brush yes, floss, almost daily. I don't read and write! I'm so distracted by everything.
I didn't sign up for it initially, but it just popped up in my feed and I decided to join in :) Generally, I don't like those cliché resolutions, but this year is my wedding and in the second half of last year my doctor urged me to do something, so I manned up and signed up in a gym and drastically changed my diet! The only moving I did last year was moving between my car and seats, but nothing else. Hunger was an unknown feeling for me, there was just a "stomach not at maximum capacity", which was a sign for me to eat more and/or again. But so far I've been going 2-3 times a week, doing a course for my back (and he's thanking me, I already notice improvements) and just general workout to lose some pounds. And there's also the return of the rumbling stomach! Somehow it's weird but at the same time interesting, when you have to train yourself and change your eating habits from "eat when you're not full" to "eat when you're really hungry". I probably halfed my calorie intake without feeling weaker/worse or feeling like I have a solution now that's not sustainable. My general wish list is endless (travel more, learn piano, read more, ...), but for this year I decided that my health comes first above all the other goals, and the wedding is just another motivating factor, since I have to look at the pictures for the rest of my life... Let's see how I'll keep it up.
That's great, good to have you on board. It's been the opposite for me over the last couple of years where I've had to train myself not to wait until the 'really hungry' stage to eat. It was causing me to lose weight and I was only just about had enough as it was. So, in a kflip-side kind of way, I sympathise with your goals and effort. Like everything, it's a balance I guess. Keep it up!
1. Graduate: Lectures start in February, so no progress made just yet. 2. Go on a roadtrip: I may have fixed us a car that we can use! It would save us at least half of the hassle. 3. Write / make 10 things for veenspace: 1 down! Nine to go. 4. Listen to one audiobook and one regular book a month: I'm halfway through World Without Us, and almost done with Predictably Irrational, both recommended by kleinbl00. Both audiobooks, but hey, two books a month is way more than I've done in the past years. 5. Run: still going strong! Mainly because I have the time for it. But I run about half an hour three times a week using Endomondo's C25K schedule.
Good things first: Meditating is working out pretty well :) I have a 10 day streak going! Running: caught a cold last week, didn't run. Additional problem, the only times I can run are early in the morning or late night. Both cases its dark and cold. Buy a flashlight I guess... Build a knowledge database: Didn't start this yet, working on refreshing my neuroscience knowledge Read MArx: Might drop that. More important things to read. Like HPMOR or the Kahnemann book
Health: Back at the gym, almost done with day two. Arm & core and legs & core and remembering why I like the gym. Learning: Learned a bunch about Javascript this week and also took an hour to teach myself how to use pivot tables in excel. Other: I've been outwardly social and not a negative Nancy and intend to keep that up. I'm also trying a stint with vegetarianism.
I wouldn't day better than you! I'd love to get to a point where I can do freelance work. Here are my three current goals: 1. Build a personal website. 2. Learn how to use web/data scrapping to better utilize large sets of data. I think this could be very beneficial as an engineer and in any other aspect. 3. Pursue a site/app idea related to bowling (niche, I know).
Sometimes things have to make way for other areas whether we intend them to or not. The best way to approach these things sometimes is minimally. For example, aim to read just one paragraph of a book or meditate for one minute. Once you've made the effort to just that, doing more will often come naturally.