The Early Bird

If you're a keyboard warrior, 800 words in 30 minutes is your jam. But for most folks, variations exist. And it can be a bit more of a stretch. Let's just say coffee is involved.

The proverb "the early bird catches the worm" holds. Sleep in? Miss out! Rising early unlocks a world of achievement. The way trusty Google Calendar can boost your morning mojo, rule the roost, crush to-do lists, empower you to conquer your day like a champ, and have a productive day. It's an unsung virtual assistant, right? You know what's on your plate.

Over the last few weeks, I've attempted to adhere to the deadlines I've established for myself, yet it appears that I merely glance at them and utter, "I'll take action tomorrow." As the saying goes, procrastination can turn "soon" into "never."

Well, it's not without a doubt that I have this peculiar routine where I stare, scoff, and then resort to the idea that "tomorrow" sounds lovely.

How is that the case? I tend to believe I am a brilliant planner, while in actuality I am a master procrastinator with a PhD in YouTube tutorials. I have this tendency to think that if I watch, I will execute. That is a fallacy. "Knowledge gained is power harnessed only when put into practice."

My planning skills are Olympic-worthy. Only then do I watch videos, and they assure me that the deed will be fulfilled. But when it comes to execution, that is where the smooth roads turn into gravel-filled rollercoasters.

As an individual, I consistently ensure that my calendar serves as a reminder of my tasks. However, its alerts often go unnoticed, and it's not as if I'm compensated to strictly adhere to them. Occasionally, I make an effort, but more often than not, the tasks feel like "view once" WhatsApp messages. I glance at them, and once they vanish from my notification bar, I swiftly move on. Like a boss.

Utilizing time effectively often goes underappreciated. Dave Crenshaw's captivating YouTube series on time management is worth every bit. I stumbled upon it on LinkedIn and knew it was valuable. He unpacks not just time itself but the whole time-verse, offering powerful insights you won't find elsewhere. It's also engaging.

At the moment, time management is my current productivity quest, not my durante vita and this course seemed tailor-made for it.

Do you know what? Those time management tutorials beckon like sirens, yet I haven't found the time to dive back in. I only watched them once. Maybe it's the same for everyone—they seem as essential as college, but life keeps getting in the way. As a result, it appears the videos will just gather dust in the vast wasteland of YouTube's Google Cloud Storage.

Up to this point, I have been lax in optimizing my time usage, and the lethargy has reached a significant level. I believe I can improve. In life, reinforcement plays a crucial role; you acquire knowledge, but the tendency to forget remains notably high.

I guess it's time to ditch the "watch later" attitude and dive in!

What does an early bird do? They greet the dawn with open arms, not a groan. They seize the day while the rest of the world still sleeps, forging ahead with focused energy and quiet satisfaction.

When I was in school, I could always wake up and stick to my school routine. Maybe it's because if you did not wake up, the cane would follow suit.

Not anymore. The challenge now is rediscovering that inner spark and reclaiming the magic of those productive mornings. However, the effortless energy is no more.

The problem comes at wake-up time. Naturally, after sleeping for 5 hours, I am usually awake. But tearing myself from the cozy embrace of sleep is a daily battle. I usually give myself another chance. Reluctantly, I sleep again.

And that is the folly I have. In the current world, many prioritize activities with tangible financial returns, leaving pursuits without immediate monetary value. They are often overlooked or undervalued. The temporary discount bias is there.

Back in the day, when the money factor was not an issue, we would help out with so much ease. That ceased. Instead, we are hell-bent on what we shall do to make our lives better.

You have your regular job and also have a side hustle. The regular job is what pays the bills. The side hustle is what you do to improve your life beyond the ordinary. Otherwise, you'd be stuck somewhere you wouldn't be caught dead in or facing a commute you hate.

The early bird knows where to go to pick the worm. It is prudent to have an understanding of what makes you tick. Stick to that time. You may not be an early bird, but it can help. In so many ways.

Hasta La Vista Baby.

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No Pain, No Gain

Why do we usually associate pain with physical exercises?

Occasionally, you need to embark on a purposeful journey where dedication becomes your driving force. It is prudent to commit to a cause, be it your health, education, physical fitness, or any endeavor close to your heart. Embrace sacrifice as an indispensable element in your pursuit of excellence. Establish a well-structured routine, meticulously planned to pave the way for your success in every facet of life. Don’t be content with the shiny veneer of success. Be relentless.

Mastering time is the key to unlocking your best self, influencing whether you procrastinate negatively or positively. Each podcast you listen to, each muscle toned, each page turned – mark you, these are not mere tasks, but stepping stones on a relentless climb towards becoming your highest self. The goal remains self-improvement over regression. While at it, it is paramount to seize the opportunities presented on the ladder of progress, using each rung to ascend and enhance your journey.

Frequently, when you are faced with the difficulty of unmet life goals, you tend to abandon them, attributing the failure to their inherent challenges. It's so easy to dismiss challenging goals as "not meant to be." Which we normally use as an excuse. However, meaningful change often arises from navigating challenges, dismantling fear brick by brick, and dealing with anxiety and excessive worry. True change and growth emerge from grappling with adversity.

The key to overcoming obstacles lies in initiating progress with small, deliberate steps. A mustard seed sprouts to a tree. Take the extra step, and if it feels uncomfortable, persist. Repeat the process until familiarity sets in. You know what a painter does. He picks up his brushes and messes up at the beginning. That becomes a brushstroke of experience, and then voilà, he paints a masterpiece revered by all and sundry. Isn't that a life well lived?

That's the recipe for building resilience and achieving seemingly impossible things. Most of the time, life presents a spectrum of challenges, each requiring a determined effort to surmount.

Your reminder about the multitude of challenges life throws your way is also important. It's not a one-time feat; it's a continuous process of learning and adapting. Each challenge, tackled with the right mindset and approach, becomes a stepping stone to a stronger, more capable version of ourselves. The setbacks may sting, but they cannot extinguish the flame of our resolve.

The fear that hinders you from trying is usually innate. You need a reason that will propel you to success. And that is to turn up and try to conquer your defeatist mindset. As an individual, you are supposed to face the spectrum of challenges with unwavering spirit, knowing that each hurdle scaled not only conquers the present but strengthens you for the tapestry yet to be woven.

This sounds like a motivational ode. The one that aims to encourage you to ignore failure. Not at all. In most cases, we give up rather than try. We are quick to yield to the siren of inertia. One day you need to wake up and dust off the remnants of your ambitions, breathe life back into forgotten pursuits, and paint the canvas of your life with strokes of determined action.

Rather than accomplishing triumphs, in certain instances, the situation can take a turn for the worse. They present us with unexpected curveballs that are unforeseen, which results in difficulties and disappointments. Even with meticulous planning and unwavering efforts, dips may momentarily come our way. As much as we falter, the spirit of perseverance should endure.

Strive for consistency and maintain persistence. Those proficient in execution often hold mastery over setbacks. Despite facing obstacles, they refused to relent. Take the necessary initiative to propel your dreams forward. It starts with you taking initiative.

Sometimes, the desire for quick results can lead us to seek shortcuts. You want to get things done fast so you can lie around like a beached starfish. While it's tempting to just relax afterward, it's also important to find ways to use our free time productively or meaningfully. As much as we normally want leisure time, many of us find ourselves inept at idleness. Eventually, we get engaged in some activity that will bring satisfaction.

Finally, the more we do, the greater the strides of achievement we make. It is the only way to expand our capabilities and open doors to new possibilities. It’s like iteration; what you did builds upon the last. You easily get the flow and momentum to push on amidst setbacks. What I have learned is that if you persist and continue moving forward, you will conquer insurmountable challenges.

When you feel like you want to stop, take a break. Just do nothing. Then you will get an incentive to surge on, refreshed and energized.

Hasta La Vista Baby.

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Rekindling Hearts: Embracing the Journey Back to Love

Over the past five years, numerous changes have unfolded since my last blog post. At times, one desires a witty and charming anecdotal introduction — a punchy and thought-provoking opening that signals substance. Allow me to navigate through this endeavor, perhaps with a touch of sentimental flair or a gripping hook that leaves you hanging on the edge, reluctant for the narrative to reach its conclusion.

Who is a better lover? The ingredients of a strong connection vary. It includes intimacy, friendship, humor, commitment, and other components that strengthen a good relationship. When you are committed, it does not matter the circumstances that you are in, you will always find a reason to storm the weather. A silent motivator is what your fixation is.

When I ceased writing, I thought that I would never mend fences with my first love. Look at me now, am back. This time around more mature and experienced in life. What I learned is to always prepare to die for what you are passionate about. It may not mean much however tiny the contribution is to society. But to you, there is joy that thrills when you think about what you have gone through.

We all have our shortcomings as individuals. As you age, you become a master of sorts. You may never espouse intelligence but you will at all times increase your sage. In law, they say anyone who has front-run you in being an advocate is your learned senior notwithstanding that person’s age. In the same way, you go to elders for advice. They have experience and as much as they may not have documented the lessons they learned along the way, they still retain the experiences and what they have witnessed at the back of their minds.

This is the first time that I have decided to write on a computer after a long while. The sojourn taken was renascent. It feels like yesterday. I told myself, “I am not limited. I will wake up and conjure what I will write about once I start writing.” True to word, what happened is, I tried to stick to rote and deviated a little bit.

When the alarm rang, I wanted to wake up but lolled a bit before I felt like I needed to pee. Once I was out of bed, it was a sign to embark on devotion. When you type, there is a feeling of pleasure, though handwritten words soothe and pacify. “This is what am made of” is what comes out when you take a pen and go in black and white mode.

This is a déjà vu moment. The potential for this reconnection is immense. What I can build is much greater if I stick to the course. I was longing for this day. There are happy memories that create a spark when I remember the good old days when I used to immerse myself in penmanship. It feels like a retreat to rekindle, recharge, and rejuvenate the lost love. I needed room to think if this was what I wanted. Turns out, I need it. Through writing, you discover flaws in thinking and strengthen those muscles.

To create a delightful moment, you need yourself to realize that it takes you to be happy. There are times when you need to be at peace, times when you want to shout and want the world to tear you apart. Then there are moments of excitement and jubilation. “It’s little things that matter.” When you take time to pursue an endeavor, the result is growth and development.

Times you have to rekindle the memories of the past. What is without doubt is that the past we can rectify but for tomorrow, we have no idea what it holds. I say so because I hope that there will be drastic changes in my life this year. Let’s say, among the changes I have since made is to write an article weekly this year.

That is tantamount to resuscitating a chequered and fading career. It may not have wilted, but it just needed to be revitalized. When it picks up from where you left off, you revel in the baby steps you are taking once more in life. Hobbies need to be taken seriously.

I thought about retirement and it is real. It has been 10 years and counting since I started this blog and I have grown in various facets that I may end up referring to in the coming days. Then I was young and fledgling. Now am sagacious and experienced. Every day has its challenges and obstacles. Going forward I need to set boundaries and remain cautious to ensure I have a healthy writing relationship.

P/S: This title was borrowed from Chat GPT. 

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

[Image Source: FreePik]

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