5 changes I’m making to better myself

I want to be better, stronger, wiser etc etc just like everyone else. Problem is, I really haven’t done much about it to make this happen.

2013, 2014, 2015 2016 IS my change year, instead of a resolution my sister came up with an interesting concept. “Choose a word and let it define your year?. My word is Adventure…though this post isn’t directly related to my theme, It harbors steps to help me achieve it

Change 1 : Get Up Earlier

This has always been an issue for me, ALWAYS involving the same frantic rush to get ready in time to make the train. Because of this I’m never fully functioning. I keep dozing off on the guy next to me drooling on his sleeve, I’m hungry, end up missing breakfast and I don’t feel fully awake till about an hour or so after I’ve gotten up?!

Solution: I’ve started getting up now a solid 40 minutes before the time I need to leave the house for the train. First ritual is to open the blinds on the way to my bathroom where I brush my teeth, do some stretches, push ups, sit ups and lunges. I end with a cold shower and a decent breakfast. This doesn’t take long and leaves me enough time to pick out some smart clothes and even do some ironing if need be…The guy on my train is much happier but I miss his supportive shoulder to lean on :-p

Change 2 : More Charity/Community service

I have always been involved in a charity in some way or another and have even run large scale successful projects. My main problem has been lately I’ve stalled. I am a stout believer for making changes starting around you and ones that have real world benefits that you can see.

Solution: I am a member of the State Emergency Services (SES) but I want to be more active, making time for most of the meetings and attending all the training sessions, this will help with my personal development, social skills and add to the betterment of my community.

I want to start being charitable with my money back to my home country of India. A country where 29.7% of the population live below the poverty line and 75% of the population earn less then $75 a month.

I have the opportunity to be able to fund families which I know of, I think this is the right method to adopt because I know every cent will go straight to them, making a direct and measurable impact right away.

Change 3 : Make a List of Adventures

The word that will hopefully define my 2016 is “Adventure”. It’s all about taking risks that I wouldn’t, doing something that will produce stories and vivid memories for later on. I want to focus on long drive and epic trips, camping in exotic locations and traversing huge distance on my bike or car with family and friends.But all it had ever been is talk, not this year. Hopefully.

Solution: Make a list. Not just any list, but a realistic one, one that doesn’t only rely on other people but one that I can tick off. Planning is key for me, I want to plan it out in detail so everything is there, my goals are written out staring at me patiently waiting to be ticked off the list.

I want to try out new sports, Archery and Fencing are on the list. I want to do epic rides on my motorbike, go camping in hidden spots, do epic climbs and travel this gorgeous country.

Change 4 : Learning is Key

I am an ambitious person…well some of my lazy weekends would say otherwise…I want to go far in both my personal and professional life. I have made strides in both aspects but I want to do more. I want to grow my knowledge, I want to know something about everything.

Solution: I want to break this down into two categories, formal education and general education. When it comes to formal I want to start my MBA (there is a legitimate reason why I haven’t already) and re-asses to think about doing post graduate Medicine.

General education I hope to achieve by listening to podcasts, surrounding myself with influential people and actively reading. I also want to develop a more sound and comprehensive understanding of the many aspects of my religion since it plays such an integral part in my life. This will be an interesting one for me since the reading I do is mainly novels to escape reality for a while. I am hoping to finish a book in an average of a week.

Change 5 : Health & Fitness

Health and fitness for me have always been an on and off type of thing. I have been in excellent shape then the complete opposite. The choice between an apple and a packet of chips is a hard one! Right now my main motivating factors are to improve my Badminton game and to reach my target weight.

Solution: To develop a discipline approach to health and fitness. I want to find an equilibrium in which i can still enjoy the food and activities I like but doing so consciously so I can adjust my workout routine to reflect that.

I want to cut down my junk food and my habit to eat late at night and sleep on a full stomach(I think its a sub-continent thing). I am close to achieving this and hope by the next 6 months I will achieve my target weight.