Ideas for getting one's act together?

[Organichu]

Do you guys ever feel as though there are innumerable improvements you can make to your lifestyle?

I'm really sick of having the aptitude to do well in life, but allowing my irresponsibility and procrastination to undo me and stress me out. Despite thoroughly understanding all of the course work in my classes, I have "ok" rather than great grades. Despite having relatively few expenses, I blow through money way too quickly. I am a poor conversationalist, and I often say things without thinking that alienate and offend people.

Lately I've been trying to work on a few of my admitted flaws... I've been trying to wake up a few minutes early each day and plan out my day in a planner. When I get my refund check next week, I'm going to try to budget more carefully and only allow myself X many impulse purchases. Crap, I'm even going to start brushing my teeth twice a day rather than the once I've been doing for 9 or 10 years now haha.



Anything you guys have done over the years to make your lives more successful and less stressful? Or anything you want to get out that's been bothering you about yourself lately?

[Clifford Gillmore]

I've just started working on my diet. I'm exactly where I need to be with everything else right now, I'm pursuing my own happiness.

[nejar462]

Organichu,

I'm very glad you put a post like this up as self improvement in all aspects of life, not just lifting, are very important.

Please try reading these books. If you can't read them, get audio CDs of them and listen to them while you drive or exercise.

The millionaire next door.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

These are two good books to get you started. Try reading them twice to get all the information. Afterwards, if you enjoy them I can recommend a litany of other good books to get you going much further.

[Organichu]

I'll check those out, Nejar.

[VikingWarlord]

Do you guys ever feel as though there are innumerable improvements you can make to your lifestyle?

I'm really sick of having the aptitude to do well in life, but allowing my irresponsibility and procrastination to undo me and stress me out. Despite thoroughly understanding all of the course work in my classes, I have "ok" rather than great grades. Despite having relatively few expenses, I blow through money way too quickly. I am a poor conversationalist, and I often say things without thinking that alienate and offend people.

Lately I've been trying to work on a few of my admitted flaws... I've been trying to wake up a few minutes early each day and plan out my day in a planner. When I get my refund check next week, I'm going to try to budget more carefully and only allow myself X many impulse purchases. Crap, I'm even going to start brushing my teeth twice a day rather than the once I've been doing for 9 or 10 years now haha.



Anything you guys have done over the years to make your lives more successful and less stressful? Or anything you want to get out that's been bothering you about yourself lately?

Actually, you're where I was about 2 weeks ago. Things got bad, stressful, and I lost focus and perspective. I got the hell out of town last weekend and had a phenominally good time. Things happened and my attitude was completely different.

If you used to care and used to try, taking a weekend and going somewhere will probably help a lot. Don't just take a weekend off and sit around doing nothing, you won't feel fulfilled.

I've read and heard that if you make a change to your life, it should take about 3 weeks to become habit. Make yourself that schedule and force yourself to stick to it for 21 days. Once you've done that, it'll likely become habit.

Lastly, make incremental changes. One thing at a time. If you try to change everything right off the bat, you'll probably overwhelm yourself and go back to your old ways.

Good luck.

[Organichu]

Funny you mention that, Viking, because I just started another thread about a trip I plan on taking to Boston.

Thanks. :)

[VikingWarlord]

Funny you mention that, Viking, because I just started another thread about a trip I plan on taking to Boston.

Thanks. :)

That might just be what you need. Part of it has to do with having something to look forward to, a goal to work toward. There's always one there, you just don't always see it. The rest of it has to do with removing yourself from the routine so you can return to it refreshed and with a new perspective.

Oh, and Boston is a cool town...if you don't have to drive. Worst city I've ever tried to get around, and I've been all over the place.

[Bikkstah]

Joined the Army

[BigCorey75]

started using my left hand, its like a whole new experience now

[Tofer]

Or just sit on your right hand for 5 minutes and use that.

Can't be "the stranger".

[Nik00117]

I found that getting up 5-15 mins earlier each morning and going to bed an hour earlier has done wonders. I get more rest, and time in the morning.

[DarrenEff]

Do you guys ever feel as though there are innumerable improvements you can make to your lifestyle?

I'm really sick of having the aptitude to do well in life, but allowing my irresponsibility and procrastination to undo me and stress me out. Despite thoroughly understanding all of the course work in my classes, I have "ok" rather than great grades. Despite having relatively few expenses, I blow through money way too quickly. I am a poor conversationalist, and I often say things without thinking that alienate and offend people.

Lately I've been trying to work on a few of my admitted flaws... I've been trying to wake up a few minutes early each day and plan out my day in a planner. When I get my refund check next week, I'm going to try to budget more carefully and only allow myself X many impulse purchases. Crap, I'm even going to start brushing my teeth twice a day rather than the once I've been doing for 9 or 10 years now haha.



Anything you guys have done over the years to make your lives more successful and less stressful? Or anything you want to get out that's been bothering you about yourself lately?

I started reading your post, and agreed after every statement you made. I found it a bit weird, but then I read the statement about brushing your teeth twice a day and thought GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

[Relentless]

http://www.stevepavlina.com/
Some good stuff there.

I will second the recommendation of Covey's 7 Habits.

A lot of people also swear by Anthony Robbins' stuff.

Personally? I find that if you want to make change, you have to consistently strive towards it. WRITE DOWN your goals and spend some time every day checking in to make sure that you're moving towards your goals. Pick ONE thing at a time that you're not happy with, FIX IT, and then pick another thing.