Don't Break the Chain

I have a problem. And the real problem about my problem is that I can easily fix my problem, but it has not really happened yet. I can't really even explain why I have not fixed it after all this time and as much as I talk about it.

My problem is consistency.

So, I have decided to try out this "Don't Break the Chain" type thing. I've seen it around online and a few vloggers talked about it in their videos. Essentially, you set aside a specific thing with a specific amount of time to do every day or every week. For example, read everyday for one hour. But you do not just say it, you have to have a physical reminder through a calender marking off each day that you complete it with the goal that you do not leave any spaces blank. Therefore, you do not break the chain.

When I first thought about doing this, I was going to do it for the new year, but that never happened. Then, I thought about it again about a month or two ago and decided that perhaps it would be better for this upcoming year, 2013.

Then, I thought about it yet again about a week ago and thought to myself, why do I have to wait for a specific start point? Why not start now? This is just as good as any other day. And if I do not start now, when (or if) I do eventually start, I will be kicking myself for not starting it earlier.

So here it goes. As of July 3, 2012, I will not break the chain for the following:

1. Exercise for 45 minutes everyday.
2. Write for one hour everyday.
3. Work on video type stuff for one hour everyday.
4. Work on/practice languages for one hour everyday.

It all comes down to about four hours a day, which really is not that much time to set aside whether I am working, in school, or (as I am right now) not doing anything at all.

Why these four things?

The exercise part is pretty self explanatory. I semi do this already except it averages to only four times a week. I like the idea of doing something physical everyday. It helps me relieve stress and if anything, I will always know that I am healthy.

Writing is one of my hobbies that I always set aside because I feel that I am not very good at it. Which is a dumb reason because I don't have to be good at something to enjoy it. It's for me. So, whether it is this blog or reviews that I write for myself or, even better, the three story lines that I am working on right now, I will write everyday.

Going along the same lines as the writing, I want to work more on videos. But once again, I am not very good at it and I get self conscious whenever I post a video online. The only way I can get better and grow less self conscious is if I work on it more, which is why I am setting aside an hour for it.

I am fascinated by other languages and growing up bi-lingual causes my brain to already have an ability to pick up on them easily. But, I never worked on it on my own and I never really took advantage of foreign language classes at UT. I know that I can improve a lot on my own by looking over old notes, reading books that I own in other languages, and of course, using the Rosetta Stone program that my dad gave me two years ago. Honestly, that last one will probably the only thing that I do and that's fine.

That's all for now. I need to go print four calenders so I can start this chain!