Backfoot to front foot, but how? Is there a formula?
In August of 2018, I had my final year of college in front of me. I had come to the crushing realization that I had not lived up to my potential the past 3 years of my life, and I had only 1 year left at school. Dr. Time had given his verdict, and he hadn’t given me much time… A year later (August 2019), quite a bit had changed, as you know. The real question is, what happened in between?
Though I only realize this as I look back and was totally ignorant as I was living it, I was unconsciously following a framework:
Each dimension above shows the fundamental aspect of your being that it is anchored to:
- Your intellectual/professional life is based on the mind.
- Your physical life is based on your body.
- You social/emotional life is related to the heart.
- Your spiritual life is related to your human spirit.
At one point in the year, I was reading a nonfiction book a week, typically about technology, leadership, business or growth. This worked wonders on my intellectual life. I became more informed, rarely succumbed to negative thoughts, and became a marvelous conversationalist. Not only that, but I added value to others with every interaction. A ‘not so secret’ secret — want to become the most interesting person in the world? Why not start reading! Broadly, however, intellectual health involves also your academic work (if you’re a student) or your professional activities (if you’re a knowledge worker). If you’re neither, start reading some great nonfiction material.
Physically, I found time to spend an hour at the gym 3–4 times a week (okay, I’ll be honest, I missed it some weeks ;D). My activity of choice was strength/resistance training (weights), though its prime benefit was mental. I recall returning from the gym more grounded, calm and centered. Any sport, running, cardio or anything else would suffice here; anything except vigorously clicking on your mouse. Our ancestors used to tame their unforgiving environment as a means of survival, we tame the perilous world of 1’s and 0’s. The result: a totally ignored physical dimension, and rusty hardware. And as any computer engineer will tell you, exceptional software needs some matching hardware to run. We’re no different.
Each week, I made time to dance salsa at Berkeley’s Hearst Hall. I spent an hour learning, and an hour practicing the flashy moves I’d learned earlier. This was undoubtedly fun. The passion, rhythm, and energy of salsa aligned perfectly with my personality. It was something I looked forward to each week, a feeling I had lost touch with over the years. My two cents: find something that makes you truly happy, and do it every week. Ideally, there should be a social component involved. So binging Netflix does NOT count…
I also tried to spend with people whom I shared values with. For example, each week, I shared a meal with Jarrett, a friend and a student entrepreneur, who somehow managed to graduate with a chemical engineering degree, and an industrial engineering minor, and a certificate in entrepreneurship while also founding 2 startups and staying in marvelous shape. Oh, and he did this as a junior transfer student. Each time we met, he lent me a book, only for me to return it next week, completed in exchange for a new one. He gave me an ideal to aim towards, as I reorganized myself.
Finally, as humans, we are much more than a bunch of chemicals thrown together in a bag of water. We feel, empathize and emote in ways that are beyond comprehension. I call this intangible aspect our human ‘spirit’. It is in no way religious, though it can be if you want to. Spending a simple 5 minutes in contemplation about about your life, and gratitude can be your ‘prayer’. Of course, some may choose to be more involved. I have friends who write detailed diaries. Others meditate. Each of these activities touch and interact with our spirit. Personally, I found my meaning and peace every Sunday at the local Hindu temple.
There you have it. A little more than a two minute read, but a formula for effecting lifestyle change…
