This actually began as a list of all the things I regretted doing/experiencing in 2013, and it was a long list, full of disappointment and anger. That's how we all look at our regrets, don't we? However, with all the holiday cheer and joy in the air, I decided to ditch the negativity and look forward to 2014 with excitement, complete with resolutions! Let's get straight into it.
Make Everyday A Non-Zero Day
What's a non-zero day? It all began with this reddit comment that I came across. His idea of everyday being a non-zero day is so effective yet so simple that everyone in the world could and probably should implement this idea. You have to live in a non-zero system to get disciplined. Irrespective of what goal you have in your life, whether it is to lose some weight or become more studious or help out more at home. Whatever your immediate or long-term goal is, make sure you work towards it in some way every single day. You've been out the entire day and notice you're not worked towards any of your goals at 11:58pm? Write one sentence. Do one pushup. No matter how insignificant, start consistently having non-zero days, and it'll change your life forever. How is this effective? This is because your brain recognizes accomplishment. Doing merely one pushup won't have any effect on your biceps or writing one sentence may not necessarily get your creative juices flowing and help you finish that story you've been working on, but it's a valuable exercise. It gets you into the habit of doing something and thinking about your goals every single day. It makes it much easier to get started and gives you the confidence to really start jumping through those obstacles if you constantly work on it. Isn't this a cop-out? No, not at all. It's a start. One pushup a day isn't the maximum, it's the minimum. That first pushup points you in the right direction. Writing one sentence will make it easier to write an entire paragraph.
I've used the words 'simple' and 'easy', but making everyday a non-zero day is also a goal, one which you will probably have a hard time following. Part of committing to having non-zero day is to be grateful about the 3 yous, according to Ryan - the past you, the present you and the future you. Thank the past you for the positive things you've done. This also includes forgiving the past you for making mistakes and move past them. Feel like nothing is going right with you today? Look back and think of a decision that made you feel good yesterday and thank the past you. We've talked about thanking and forgiving, but there's one more important aspect to talk about - favours. Look after your future self. Choosing to pack your lunch at home rather than having canteen food, that's a favour for my future self. Submitted your project on time to avoid a bad grade, that's another favour. Ryan says, "The cycle of doing something for someone else (future you) and thanking someone for the good in your life (past you) is key to building gratitude and productivity...Over time you should spread the gratitude to others who help you on your path."
The best part about whatever I've written above is that it isn't mere a resolution by itself, but it helps me fulfill all my other resolutions. Over the next couple of weeks, when I start realizing how difficult it is to stand by the resolutions I make at the end of the year, I can just revisit this article and continue working on Ryan's non-zero principle.
Make Everyday A Non-Zero Day
What's a non-zero day? It all began with this reddit comment that I came across. His idea of everyday being a non-zero day is so effective yet so simple that everyone in the world could and probably should implement this idea. You have to live in a non-zero system to get disciplined. Irrespective of what goal you have in your life, whether it is to lose some weight or become more studious or help out more at home. Whatever your immediate or long-term goal is, make sure you work towards it in some way every single day. You've been out the entire day and notice you're not worked towards any of your goals at 11:58pm? Write one sentence. Do one pushup. No matter how insignificant, start consistently having non-zero days, and it'll change your life forever. How is this effective? This is because your brain recognizes accomplishment. Doing merely one pushup won't have any effect on your biceps or writing one sentence may not necessarily get your creative juices flowing and help you finish that story you've been working on, but it's a valuable exercise. It gets you into the habit of doing something and thinking about your goals every single day. It makes it much easier to get started and gives you the confidence to really start jumping through those obstacles if you constantly work on it. Isn't this a cop-out? No, not at all. It's a start. One pushup a day isn't the maximum, it's the minimum. That first pushup points you in the right direction. Writing one sentence will make it easier to write an entire paragraph.
I've used the words 'simple' and 'easy', but making everyday a non-zero day is also a goal, one which you will probably have a hard time following. Part of committing to having non-zero day is to be grateful about the 3 yous, according to Ryan - the past you, the present you and the future you. Thank the past you for the positive things you've done. This also includes forgiving the past you for making mistakes and move past them. Feel like nothing is going right with you today? Look back and think of a decision that made you feel good yesterday and thank the past you. We've talked about thanking and forgiving, but there's one more important aspect to talk about - favours. Look after your future self. Choosing to pack your lunch at home rather than having canteen food, that's a favour for my future self. Submitted your project on time to avoid a bad grade, that's another favour. Ryan says, "The cycle of doing something for someone else (future you) and thanking someone for the good in your life (past you) is key to building gratitude and productivity...Over time you should spread the gratitude to others who help you on your path."
The best part about whatever I've written above is that it isn't mere a resolution by itself, but it helps me fulfill all my other resolutions. Over the next couple of weeks, when I start realizing how difficult it is to stand by the resolutions I make at the end of the year, I can just revisit this article and continue working on Ryan's non-zero principle.