New You? Small Bites & My 5 Rules

We’re at the beginning of a new year, and I’ve been contacted by quite a few people looking to improve their self either physically or mentally. It’s a wonderful thing to know that people around me are wanting to improve themselves (not that I would ever say they need improving ;)). I would never consider myself someone to contact, but I’ll always help nonetheless.

My coffee mug can beat up your coffee mug

It’s likely that you were not in a routine to either learn or exercise on a daily basis, or whatever your improvement goal is. However, we know that when the mood strikes we want to go 0 to 100. The time is now! Carpe f’n diem!

Slow your roll, boss. We need to take small bites at the apple. In my experience revving up the engine too fast too soon can lead to a blown gasket, which leaves you back to your old routine and looking towards the next year. Again, I’m no expert of any sorts, but here’s what’s worked for me:

1. Focus on what works for you — Having to do something you’re just not interested in takes down even the most disciplined of minds. If your goal is fitness and you hate running… then why the hell are you running!? If it’s cardio you’re after, do you like biking? Rowing or boxing? Don’t like reading? Have you tried audio books or podcasts? Find your interest.
2. Indulge (moderately) in your vices. Listen to your body — This, oft times, leads to the burnout. I’d say this probably relates more to dieting than anything. A person who was on a steady diet of pizza and cheeseburgers, jumping to fresh veggies and salmon 100%, is likely to rubber band even deeper into the greasy hole they tried so hard to come out of (DISCLAIMER: if this is a requirement due to health reasons, then put down the f’n cheeseburger). Forgive me as I’m not one to not include reference, but a notable dietician (Dr. Rhonda Patrick?, Dr. Layne Norton??), on the Joe Rogan podcast described the detrimental rubber band effect of extreme dieting. However, this also means to indulge in improvement when the passion strikes. Just listen to your physical and mental needs. Speaking of indulgence… have you ever seen The Rock’s legendary cheat days? He seems to be doing alright…https://www.instagram.com/p/BpS6SdihVkx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkz
3. TAKE YOUR TIME — Rome wasn’t built in a day. You’re not going to go through a quick montage, and all of a sudden look in the mirror at the next fitness cover model. You’re not going to spend a weekend reading the Amazon top 10 and get a professorship at Harvard. Patience. so GET AFTER IT (on your own pace)! Avoid the burnout.
4. Do your own thing — This may be the most important. You have to do what makes you happy, and fulfills you on your own plan and schedule. If you’re a reader of Harvard Business Review, Inc., Forbes, etc., you’re constantly seeing articles like, “Most successful people sleep 12 hours,” or “CEOs read 1,000 books a month” (sarcasm mine). Let’s just admit that there are outliers in the world that are at the extremes of performance. Perhaps that is you, and this is the first step. Go for it! But perhaps you’re in the other 99.999% of the population, like myself, that don’t run a marathon a day, or read the Wall Street Journal back to front every morning. Who cares!? You’re focused on yourself, which means finding what works for you.
5. Be (somewhat) selfish — I’ve struggled with this one, but it’s important to make time for yourself. We’re looking for self fulfillment, which requires a certain amount of selfishness. It’s important to remember that you can think of others, while also being selfish. If you’re not happy with yourself, then how can you best help others? There’s 24 hours in a day, so even 15 minutes dedicated to self-improvement is possible no matter what your lifestyle requires.

Again, these are my recommendations solely on my own experience, and what I’ve personally seen work for others. I love when others look to improve their self, more so than even myself. It fuels my fire to continue pursuing my own self-improvement.

Lastly, remember that this can be done anytime. The mark of a new calendar year has always puzzled me as to why it’s such a monumental date for resolving one’s self.

Strike while the iron is hot!