Week 8

Dear Friends,

::They’re alive! – Talking about the six goals of course.  It has now been SEVEN WEEKS and most of them have a pulse like a drum!  There comes a point when pursuing a goal that commitment meets progress making that goal REAL.  I’ve caused these goals to exist in my head and by working them, I bring them into being; Dr. Frankenstein ain’t got nothing on me (I had to make this reference since it’s almost Halloween. LOL).  It really is a great feeling:

Last week, I made it my mission to adjust my focus towards the goals on my list that don’t yet have a pumping heart.  It didn't work.  In fact, all my attempts to invoke life into these goals so far have been unsuccessful.  However, now is the time to do something about it... ANYTHING.  My strategy this week is to create easy action plans for those neglected goals.  I want to create these small wins, because small wins can create an environment where change is not overwhelming and therefore more likely to happen.  

I encourage you to worktowards a small win for yourself this week.

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Goal 1: To change 30 lives
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What have you done for me lately?: 

 Last week's action plan was make sandwiches for homeless, which I didn't do... again.  
I will create a small win this week by changing the focus to thinking about fulfilling community service choices.  

Weekly Action Plan (WAP)!:

Research community service programs in San Diego I can get involved with. 

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Goal 2: To gain 10 lbs of muscle
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What have you done for me lately?: 
  Last week's action plan was eat 3000 calories everyday/Lift 4 days this week.  Welp -- I lifted five days, ran, walked, yoga, and kept calories high.  Great momentum moving on this goal.  The only hold-up is that I despise counting calories.  I find that if I’m eating 5 times per day, I’m usually getting all the calories and nutrients needed.  At minimum, I’ve been eating three big meals everyday with supplemental protein and I plan to add two more eats during my breaks at work.  OLAY! 

Weekly Action Plan (WAP)!:
Lift 5 days this week, Eat 5 meals

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Goal 3: to save an extra $2,000

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What have you done for me lately?:

It's now been two weeks smoke-free-for-me.  Believe it or not, I would have spent $60 on cigarettes by now not to mention the tax on my health and well-being.  I'm keeping no tobacco as my goal for next week.

Weekly Action Plan (WAP)!:

No nicotine. 

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Goal 4: To develop and present a business plan to FIVE investors

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What have you done for me lately?:

I need to get back in the race for this goal.  It had an accelerated start, but now all progress has stalled.  Getting something done this week to get the cylinders firing again will be the way to go. 

Weekly Action Plan (WAP)!:

Do something//ANYTHING

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Goal 5: To spend 200 hours learning and/or practicing Spanish

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What have you done for me lately?:

Last week's action plan was read one chapter in my Spanish tutor textbook, schedule my next tutor lesson, and read a minimum of seven Spanish articles on Nulu.  I read three Spanish articles on Nulu which was far below my aim.  Sticking with my theme this week, I'm going to make this goal more obtainable to create small-win-inertia.
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Weekly Action Plan (WAP)!:

Read a minimum of five articles on Nulu.

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Goal 6: To read 12 books

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What have you done for me lately?:

Last week's action plan was read at least 100 pages.  I read over 200 pages last week finishing my third book!  I've now started reading Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki.  This book was next on my list after starting a meditation practice two weeks ago.  I'm also still listening to the audiobook I started two weeks ago.

Weekly Action Plan (WAP)!:
Read 100 pages.  Listen to one hour of audiobook. 

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W  o  r  d  s   to   p  o  n  d  e  r

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The science of small wins:

""A small win is a concrete, complete, implemented outcome of moderate importance.  By itself, one small win may seem unimportant.  A series of wins at small but significant tasks, however, reveals a pattern that may attract allies, deter opponents, and lower resistance to subsequent proposals.  Small wins are controllable opportunities that produce visible results.
Once a small win has been accomplished, forces are set in motion that favor another small win.  When a solution is put in place, the next solvable problem often becomes more visible.  This occurs because new allies bring new solutions with them and old opponents change their habits.  Additional resources also flow toward winners, which means that slightly larger wins can be attempted.""

– Karl Weick from “Small Wins: Redefining the Scale of Social Problems”

 Michael Love