Given how unsuccessful I was in implementing my plan, I need to re-evaluate what I’m doing wrong. I’ll quote myself from the first journal:

1) No Insta/FB/etc. 2) Cook at least one meal 3) Code at least 100 lines of code and 4) Some physical activity. I also want to use Twitter more, maintain good sleep hygiene and finish reading one paper a day.

The only challenges I was successful at were 1) No Insta/FB/etc. and use Twitter more. Going forward, I don’t think these should be an issue. In fact, I could spend less time on Twitter.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that 2) Cook at least one meal and, to some extent, 4) Some physical activity were unrealistic. I just have 24 hours in a day. Spending 2+ hours on food and 2+ hours on sports together is unrealistic. These activities also tire you out, reducing your productivity and prompting you to take rest. Given my situation, productivity has to be prioritized more.

I failed terribly at 3) Code at least 100 lines of code, maintain good sleep hygiene and finish reading one paper a day. From my preparation perspective, these seem to be the important stuff that I can’t afford to fail at. Also, I didn’t maintain the journal everyday.

From January 3 to January 15, I update the challenge to the following check-boxes:

• Write a Journal entry everyday
• Maintain a good sleep hygiene (sleep between 11 pm to 12 am)
• No Insta/FB/etc. Limited time (if any) on Twitter
• Code at least 100 lines of code
• Research a topic/Apply to 3+ jobs for the day

I leave cooking and sports dependent on external factors and as per my mood that day. Of course a few meals and a bare minimum of physical activity a week is mandatory, but I think I’ll comfortably achieve it. I have also noticed the following correlation: Using phone as soon as I wake up leads to a very less productive day. Being disciplined even while waking up could help.

“Without commitment, you’ll never start. But more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish.” ~ Denzel Washington

I definitely need to be consistent and persevere more. Wishing myself luck for round 2 of trying to be disciplined.