May 25, 2021
Getting to the end of your university life and moving out into the real world brings with it many changes. One such change is that a lot of people stop reading. Now sometimes they never read to begin with, but university does have the ability to make reading seem very appealing. It tells you to force down these boring textbooks in order to “learn”. So for many people, once you are free from the shackles of university they simply never continue the habit of reading.
But for many people you soon discover if you really want to get progressing in life then you will need to pick up the habit of reading again. So how do you get back to reading for fun?
When your last experiences with reading were reading dull textbooks you can think to yourself that books are boring. While this can be true it is definitely judging all books by their covers and I’m pretty sure you would have been taught not to do that in primary school.
So a great starting place is thinking back to a favourite series you might have read as a child. I was a huge fan of the series CHERUB as a kid and having just recently added them to my reading list I have found how enjoyable it is to relive childhood memories of staying up late to just finish the next page and then the next chapter and then suddenly the whole book.
If you are still unsure what you want to read or didn’t have a favourite series from your youth then I recommend spending some time walking around a library or bookstore with the aim of getting 3-4 different books. Just pick up whatever catches your eye. If you get 3-4 this will also give you some back up options should you struggle to enjoy your first pick.
So you’ve selected your first book, now you just need to start reading. Easy right? Well in our days of instant dopamine from social media our brains can actually put up a good fight in our attempts to read. The draw of social media is a strong one, so aim to start with a simple goal of reading for 5 minutes or even just a page. If you decide the time goal seems best then set a timer and stop reading as soon as the timer finishes. Even if you want to keep reading. You want to avoid burning out. Keep this daily for a week and slowly increase the amount of time or pages you aim to read each day.
To really build the habit of reading a good trick is to swap scrolling time for reading.
This has been one of the biggest aids in increasing the amount I read. Gone are the
days of sitting in the breakroom at lunch just scrolling instagram and in are the days of finishing that chapter.
The biggest help in keeping the habit up over a long period of time is to simply put down books you aren’t enjoying. This works best if you own the books because they don’t have to be returned to the library but ideally if a book is feeling like a drag then you should just put it down and read something that you want to at that moment. I have often found the books I put down are much easier to read once I pick them up again when my interest has returned.
One recent tip I learned from Roxine Keeis the practice of reading 4 star reviews for books that are a step up in the intelligence department. I’m a big reader of non-fiction and while I don’t read anything too technical, I do sometimes come across a book that I just struggle to contemplate (often philosophy). So a quick read of some four star reviews and generally I have gained a brief overview of the books guiding themes, helping me to understand what I’m reading.
I’m a big advocate for reading more than one book at a time. While this sometimes can get confusing, it generally just means I have a book ready to be read no matter how I’m feeling. This also helps when reading bigger books (say 500 pages plus), as it reduces that feeling that you haven’t made a dent in a book for a long time.
Finally I would recommend you tell people about the books you have read. This not only helps with improving your retention but it also shares your joy of books with others and might inspire them to pick up a book. Who knows, you might even start a book club. As with almost everything in life, it’s generally more fun when shared, so why not add books to that list.
Hope you enjoyed this post and let me know what you’ve been reading recently or any tips you have for making reading a habit.
May 12, 2020
A lot has changed in the world as isolation has been implemented throughout much of the world. With this change we have heard talk of the long term change we might see in response. We have already seen some of the short-term change come to places like Venice where the water has gone clear again thanks to the reduction of traffic on its canals. Wildlife has also been spotted across a number of cities as the reduction in high speed metallic objects has occurred. These are promising signs that hopefully will inspire the world to realise that we can turn the world around and reconnect with the nature.But when the world returns to normal, will the people of the world set a new standard and send the world on a new and better trajectory?
In this post I want to talk about what I think people should do now, in isolation to set themselves on a better track.
There has been a lot of talk about making our time in isolation productive. With all this time stuck inside all day, why shouldn’t you be writing that book or starting your side hustle? Along with this there has also been the message of don’t worry this is a scary time, feel free to do nothing and focus on what makes you happy. I’m somewhere in-between the two views. While I don’t think you have to be uber productive, I also don’t think you should just numb life through binge watching television and eating poorly.Instead I think we should focus on our mental health through proper reflection and analysis.
Health which is the foundation of everything and is made up of physical, social and mental. Starting with the analysis of my mental health is something I have implemented while in isolation. Looking into my life to uncover what events have shaped who I am today and taking time to think about what I actual want in life and not what we are told to want.
Upon the recommendation from Jordan Shanks the first task is to write your autobiography. Starting from when you were born, write down every memory you can think of right up until the present. If you do this for 30 minutes every day you will soon have a strong understanding of all the situations that have affected you and developed you into who you are. Make sure you don’t censor anything and write how you felt in each situation. Some early memories will be just from stories you have been told but include it all.
This should help to give you perspective on why you react the way you do to situations. It has definitely unraveled some truths about me that I hadn’t ever thought about.
Next I think it’s worth contemplating the quote “He is richest who is content with the least,for content is the wealth of nature.” This is how I am training myself to think. Our world is built around consumerism but does it make you happy?Take some real time to analyse your thoughts on this. Living by this quote also makes me believe that everything you decide to do has come from a true place. One that wants to improve the world for others because you are already happy with what you have. I am far from perfect and there is always things I feel would add to my life but end up not.
Becoming content with what you have in our day and age can be difficult. Social media like Instagram is constantly showing us the best bits of everyone’s lives and this makes it very easy to look at your own life as a failure. No matter what cool stuff you have or are doing there is always someone cooler. To initially get out of this frame of thinking you will most likely have to stop using social media for period of time. I know I used to feel annoyed because I would watch vloggers on YouTube like Logan Paul who seemingly have everything. But recently I did something interesting. I analysed the actual things he did that I felt envious of and realised I had everything he has. Because everything really came down to good company and having adventures together. So now when I watch his videos, I don’t feel sad because I feel like I’m missing out. I’m instead inspired to do interesting activities with my friends.
So, to use isolation in a healthy but productive way. Start by looking inward. Analyse your past to better understand who you are as a person and why you are like you are. Then work to develop a content mindset that doesn’t get affected by other people’s success but instead wants to see improvement in the areas of your life that matter.
April 11, 2020
It has been a while since I have posted on my blog. So I thought I would write a quick post to help get the cogs turning in the writing machine.
Since starting my full-time job I have lost most of my motivation to write. I can understand this, I now have less time to write and often have already been writing for work. So coming home to then sit in front of the computer to write just doesn't appeal. However, while it might be understandable it is not how I would like it to be.
Anyway, I have been reading a lot since the start of 2020 and as of today 5/04 I have read 12 books. I am proud of this as I have done it through reducing the amount of YouTube and Netflix I have been watching. I do have to give some credit though to the fact we are currently isolated and which is giving me more time at home to read. However, with all this time I have felt a serious desire to create something and I feel writing more about what i'm reading would help me to remember it and also help to develop my writing ability. Knowledge is only useful if you use it and I am currently not using a lot of it.
It is a weird time in the world as we all sit in isolation due to Covid-19. The world really seems to just be on pause for those of us fortunate enough not to be directly effected by the virus. It has made me realise how little I am required for society to function. Doctors have an impact and even the truck drives that continue to deliver the food have an impact. They provide the world with life saving treatment and food to the masses. I make social media assets. While this is a direction I was heading before Covid-19 started, I am looking to use this time to continue my development in a way that will lead to a more useful career that hopefully will have a real impact in the world.
And the area I feel is worth heading in? Urban planning and community building. For a long time I have been interested in architecture and urban planning. I remember playing sim city 3000 as a kid and being absolutely fascinated by how everything works together much like a living organism. I think it's also my tendencies towards being a big picture thinker. I like working across different fields and combining them to ideally create something new and different. I don't like to specialise and just get bored very quickly and therefore move from one topic to another. Therefore, as an urban planner I hope I can connect the many dots that are part of the urban environment into built and natural environments that build strong and healthy communities for humans and animals.
So I'm reading a lot around these areas and my aim now is to start writing about the topics I encounter.
See you in my next post.
*The images is from a hike in Tasmania I did at Christmas 2019.
February 29, 2020
You might have heard that you are the equal of your five closest friends. Well, get ready buddy because it goes way further than that. You are also heavily influenced by a broad number of elements in your environment not just your friends. Though each element is different and will influence you to a different degree. Due to this influence, one key task worth completing is a review of these influences. This will help you to identify certain ones that may try to hold you back as you look to improve and may mean including better into your life which will also improve your chances of your life being a success.
Whether you are reading books, listening to podcasts or watching videos, you are constantly being influenced. But what can you do with this understanding? Because your five closest friends place a great deal of pressure on you, it’s worth attempting to make authors, podcasters or self-help gurus some of your main influences or ‘friends’.
Napoleon who was bullied when at military school utilised this strategy by reading many books on the great generals of old. Reading about Alexander the Great and other great leaders from an early age Napoleon shaped himself into a model of them all. He also read books from other disciplines which helped expand his mind further past the battlefield and into politics and beyond. These influences helped Napoleon see beyond just being an expert general but being an emperor.
Though because it is worth having real friends, I consider the influence I get from books and podcast to be one singular friend. Basically, have learning as a friend and a key influence.
So, whether you want to be a great writer, painter, politician or athlete, if you fill you head with the words and wisdoms of the great that are around now or from the past you will soon find yourself heading in that direction. A great quote that reflects this idea is:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
― Lao Tzu
So, if you control what is being fed into your head, you will soon be controlling your thoughts and sending your life into a direction of you choosing. So, choose your influences wisely, you might just follow in their footsteps.
February 29, 2020
Creating more than you consume. I’ve written a few times about this topic but still find that it is worth writing about again and again. But I think it is such an important idea and is something that many people don’t think about. Like many people, I don’t create much of anything and I would also put myself in the category of over-consuming media and entertainment. It is tough, our world is designed for consumption. The pull of entertainment, fast fashion and food are strong as it tries so hard to swallow you whole.
But you can break free and become something better. The world is full of people with potential, but through our old-fashioned education system, creativity is drowned and sucked out of people and replaced with the mindless consumption of stuff. Marketing tells us, buy this or that. Saying it will make us the person of our dreams, but with everything we buy, we seem to still be in the exact place we were. Never finding fulfilment or meaning.
“Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who’ve ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need. We’re the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place.” — Chuck Palahniuk — Fight Club
But creativity and creation are exhausting, you say. Well, that’s a lie. Creating provides you with energy and passion. It makes you spring out of bed in the morning and fuels a desire to make the world as you see fit. The issue is that we have lost our creative fitness. We are all out of shape creatively. So, let’s start training.
Creativity fitness 101
It starts with a small first step. If you haven’t run for a while, you first have to walk. The same goes for creativity, if you haven’t painted since art class in high school then you first need to doodle.
Focus on building the habit. Success comes from the repetition of a task. So, make creativity a habit. Doodle or write a sentence every day, it might only be for five minutes but that’s the start. Soon you’ll be writing a paragraph or sketching the view from your window.
Slowly increase the time you spend creating. Just as you increase the weight in the gym or the distance you run; you also have to increase the resistance of creativity. Write 500 words, fill a full A4 piece of paper with a drawing. Swap the time you would normally watch rerun episodes of your favourite tv show for time spent cooking, drawing, writing and creating.
Review your previous work. Have a look at what you have created and see how you have improved. You’ll be surprised how quickly you managed to pick up the skill of being creative.
Publish and put your work into the world. Start publishing your writing on medium or your own blog, post your pictures on Instagram or sing to your friends. Have the courage to say I made this and I’m proud. Don’t let the people who are scared of your passion tear you down.
Keep creating and don’t stop. You are free now. You have the ability to build the life you want and bring positive value to the world.
But you will still consume. You have to. You need to eat food and you’ll want to consume entertainment. But the difference is that now you do it with purpose. You’ll watch that movie because you are interested in how the plot works and the shots the director chose. It is important to you because you can implement that knowledge into your own films.
You can and will also consume at times just because it’s easy. You are allowed breaks. The important thing is to remember that you are still creating more than you are consuming.
A strange thing you will also find is your desire to mindlessly consume will disappear. You will feel how draining it is and you will want to get back to mindfully consuming or creating.
So how will you start creating and putting value into the world? Maybe you’ll start a garden or write an article about your favourite movie or draw a picture of your girlfriend. Whatever it is, start now and keep creating!
Notes:
minimalism.life/journal/creation-over-consumption
chloehawker.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/creation-over-consumption-a-challenge/
medium.com/the-mission/stop-consuming-start-creating-f992bf66f7e0
ofpad.com/create-more-than-you-consume/
February 29, 2020
The simplest of habits can have an insanely huge impact on your life. So, building the right ones is important. But what simple task done on a regular basis can have such a huge impact? Journaling, that’s what.
It has been used by many successful people throughout history. From creatives like Leonardo da Vinci to politicians like Winston Churchill. The art of journaling provides an opportunity to explore and expand on your thoughts and ideas. Whether you are dealing with the possibility of imminent invasion or trying to conceive a way to fly, journaling gives your brain an opportunity to unload and examine.
Jim Rohn says, “If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, and unique individual, keep a journal.”
So, can I build the habit? And should you try as well?
Journaling for me always brings thoughts of writing about your holidays and travel. Though it includes a lot more than that. You can write about your feelings, your weekly to-dos or your current project, if it involves reflecting or exploring something relevant to your life, then it’s journaling. Some versions of journaling are gratitude, emotional release , bullet and interstitial journaling.
Gratitude journaling involves writing down a selection of things you are grateful for. It is often recommended you write three but can be more. The aim of this is to increase your appreciation of your life and to think about the small things in life.
Emotional release journaling is writing about your emotional responses to situations throughout your day. This offers a great way to release emotion that you might otherwise bottle up and helps you understand your emotions better.
Bullet journaling is a form of a to-do list that involves planning your daily activities, goals and even collecting memories. This is a popular choice among the personal development community and entrepreneurs as it focuses on productivity, getting stuff done and ticking boxes.
Interstitial journaling is a form of productivity journaling. During your day, anytime you stop and move from one task to another, simple stop and write about what you just did and what you are about to do. The benefit of this form of journaling is that it helps your brain stop thinking about the first task and move onto the next. When you multitask and swap between one task to another and then back again, your brain experiences a lag where it is still thinking about the last problem.
Having tried and failed at journaling a number of times throughout my life, I was mindful to adjust my technique this time around. For this attempt I decided to use a two-book method which involves always having a Field Notes 48-page memo book on me at all times and then a classic Moleskin notebook at home.
As for the writing. Well I decided to not restrict myself to any specific type of writing. I do however restrict what I write in each notebook.
My Field Notes notebook, I write a weekly habit list at the start of the week along with a to do list of other tasks I aim to get down that week. Then each day I write any short notes I want to remember. This can include my feelings about a situation, a project idea or a quote from a book I read.
Then at the end of each day I expand on any notes I have by writing into my Moleskin. This allows me to collect and expand ideas with more writing space. My Moleskin therefore has a mix between pages on blog post ideas, goal planning, project plans, emotional release writing and memories writing.
So how should you start journaling? Start by having a think about what it is you want to journal about and why? Having a strong why is important and you will find is a foundational feature for most habits. You might be about to go traveling and want to collect your daily adventures. Thus, you might choose to use just one notebook and only write in it once a day. For others you might have recently gone through a break up and want to try emotional release writing. You therefore could try a two-notebook method collect situations throughout the day with a brief feeling you had and then elaborate on those moments into a bigger notebook at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, just experiment. Try writing about different things as they interest you. My main suggestion I would have for anyone that does want to start journaling is to always have at notepad within reach. You never know when you might feel like writing something down. I have found the habit is built a lot easier if you don’t restrict writing to a set time of day and instead allow yourself to write at any moment. Habits are built through repetition. So, make sure you don’t let yourself go more than 2 days without writing some of your thoughts.
Go out and write. Let your writing capture your own imagination.
www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-journaling-for-stress-management-3144611
www.artofmanliness.com/articles/jumpstart-your-journaling-a-31-day-challenge
medium.com/thrive-global/start-journaling-54ea2edb104
www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/6-ways-journaling-will-change-your-life.html
advice.shinetext.com/articles/heres-how-to-actually-make-journaling-a-habit/
medium.com/thrive-global/start-journaling-54ea2edb104
medium.com/better-humans/replace-your-to-do-list-with-interstitial-journaling-to-increase-productivity-4e43109d15ef
February 29, 2020
Strong men make good times, good times make weak men, weak men make bad times and bad times make strong men. It’s a compelling concept that I have been thinking about recently. The world is enjoying such peaceful and abundant times. Yet we seem to be seeing a wave of people becoming misguided in their lives. Inequality is rising. People are living a life defined by technology and within the western world people are feeling lost. So, while it may seem conflicting that we are in good times, we are now in the first stages of bad times. So, can we avoid bad times by becoming strong men?
First a definition. For the purposes of this article a strong man is someone with strong sense of self. They have an idea of who they are and the positive impact they plan to bring the world. So, what is it that helps a strong man be who he is.
Values. Developing your own set of core values is one way in which many men throughout history have built their strength of character. But what are values? Values are defined on google as “a person’s principles or standards of behaviour; one’s judgement of what is important in life.” Values are the internal compass that help to define which decisions to make and direction you take.
Values can provide many benefits, starting with helping to reduce decision fatigue and make tough choices easier. They reduce your likelihood of following the social norms and pressure from friends or parents. They help you define who you are and give you a sense of self.
I know that I was able to make the decision between two jobs a lot easier because my values. My value of growth meant that I knew exactly which one was the better choice.
So how do you find your own core values?
If you are struggling, I could recommend the values of growth and contribution. These values come from viewing Jordan Shanks video on Doomer Mindset. In the video he explains that growth and contribution are basically the meaning for life. So they are the two values that everyone should adopt into their lives. The reasoning for these two is because you will cover off any other values you might have. Want to feel significant? Grow as a person and in a skill and you will contribute. People will value this and you will feel significant. Want certainty, grow in a skill and contribute. Your skill is valuable and you will get paid, making your life more certain.
The concept can even be found in the life cycle of living things. A tree grows (Growth) and provides fruit and homes to animals (Contribution). The seeds are then spread by these animals which results in more growth.
Now you have your list of values write the final selection on a new piece of paper. Store it somewhere you’ll have access to it often. I put mine in my wallet and try to look at it once a week.
Now go out and grow and contribute.
If you are in still in the need of some inspiration, explore the list below which comes from James Clear.
Notes:
www.artofmanliness.com/articles/30-days-to-a-better-man-day-1-define-your-core-values/
www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_85.htm
www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/8-benefits-identifying-your-values.html
collegeinfogeek.com/how-and-why-to-define-your-values/
jamesclear.com/core-values
goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/25-virtues-found-in-the-best-of-men-fiff/
markmanson.net/personal-values
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mLyAGxovCo
https://markmanson.net/personal-values
February 29, 2020
As a kid and teenager growing up, I played lots of sports. Among these sports was hockey. I was definitely better at it compared to the other sports and because of this, hockey was my thing and a major part of my identity. This followed me for a long time as it played a big part in what I did and what I thought I'd doin the future. Then I moved to Melbourne and started university. While yes, Idid play hockey again, as I had done for the years past. This time around something had changed. I was in a new city with a new team and a whole lot of other opportunities, and suddenly I didn't want to play hockey. I said I'll have a year off and come back refreshed and ready to go again.
But then I didn't and still haven't. Four years have since passed and though this year I thought very hard about playing hockey again, something seemed wrong. It felt like I would be going backwards, like I was going back to a person who I wasn't anymore. While hockey was part of my identity before, now it is not. There is a little bit, I guess, but it has been relegated to only a minor interest rather than a major part of my identity.
I'm sure you might have also gone through such an experience. As you grow older to leave things behind. This can be sad for a period as you move between having a piece of your identity to not having it any more. But just because you no longer feel connected to it anymore doesn't mean you will never have something to filling a part of your identity.
I think many people around the time of attending or graduating university will go through this period.Because of that I feel that you should know that you will feel lost but if you keep yourself open to new opportunities you won't be lost for long.
Since I stopped playing hockey, I have felt somewhat lost. I however kept trying new things. Somethings have stuck and others have not, but that’s okay because I keep moving forward. For some going back to hockey may have been the right choice. But for me it is not. I have done that and I enjoyed it. I know I will play hockey again. But just not at the moment. The moment now is for trying new things. It's to finding my new thing.
So, if you every feel lost.You just have to build a new map. Wander down some paths and try new things.You will very quickly have a new map of yourself, with what you like, dislike and suddenly you will have a direction you wish to head in. But until then, keep exploring.
February 29, 2020
Discipline, the army enforce it and we all desire to have it. But can it actually make you happier?
I think yes. Discipline while often coming and going in my life, has benefited my life and made me a happier person to this day.
Every day you are forced to make decisions. These decisions sometimes are easy and have minimal consequences. Other times the decisions can have significant consequences and will make a larger impact on life.
Now whether or not you have discipline or not, these decisions will make an impact on how you feel. Choose to have the double cheese burger at lunch instead of the sushi when you're on a health kick? This decision, while making you feel happier in the moment, will then change into shame as you realise you have put your health kick back a day.
Say you had the discipline to stick to your healthy eating, then you would have walked straight to the sushi shop and got the healthiest option (none of those crispy chicken sushi rolls). This option would have one been quicker as you wouldn't have wasted time on your decision as to what to eat and instead of just feeling good in the moment you would now have the longer lasting pleasure of having kept to a promise to yourself.
It's that longer lasting pleasure that you get from keeping a promise to yourself by having the discipline to say no to things that don't align with your dream lifestyle that actually lasts.
Discipline also helps to reduce the decision fatigue you experience from having to constantly make choices. Made the decision to not drink sugary drinks? Well that has now removed a large selection of drinks and if you limit yourself to just water, well then your decision for a drink is made without even thinking. Just get the water.
But how do you build better discipline? Well other than just forcing yourself with all your might to actually do as you have said. There are some actual techniques to improve yourself discipline.
Remove options. If you plan on writing and so you sit down at your laptop, you are opening up a whole lot of other options, not just a word processor. So if you often get distracted, then you should look to remove the temptations. Block websites like Youtube and Facebook that are easy time wasters. If you are trying to eat healthy then remove any unhealthy food in your house and never go grocery shopping when you are hungry. By limiting other options you are given no choice but to stick to what you said.
Embrace the pain. Trying to do new things like waking up earlier can be quite uncomfortable. Your brain will say that this is wrong and that you get up later. But you have to embrace this and realise that nothing good comes without a little work. Sitting down and writing 500 words a day is initially hard but pushing through this discomfort you suddenly start to the feel pleasure of the task.
To make dealing with the pain a bit easier you can start small. With regular breaks or small task you can easily build the habit before it gets too painful. Set yourself the goal of running 5k having never run before? Start by setting the goal of walking to the first power pole outside your house every day. This such a small task that you can easily do it every day for a week. Then slowly increase it each week until you find yourself happily and easily going for a run each day.
Discipline, while often a bit painful can actually give you amazing benifits. And as the saying goes "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago or today." So start the tree growing by starting your strong and disciplined habits today.
February 29, 2020
So I'm back with my second blog post and this time I am going to tell you guys of my favourite things that I think anyone who comes to Melbourne should check out while they are here. Now to clarify I only moved to Melbourne at the start of 2015 for University so this list will only the things I have done so far and I will most definitely do an updated version in a year or two, once I have spent more time in this awesome city.
This year I have been to 5 games of Aussie Rules and every game at the MCG is always a great one. The atmosphere at almost any game is always spectacular with the whole stadium becoming a beating heart of excitement as the two teams face off in one of the world's most spectacular sports, involving speed, strength and endurance along with a little bit of flair to round off a great sport that everyone should experience once.
Melbourne as a whole is an amazing city, but no visit can go without a substantial amount of time walking around Melbourne's CBD. Now yes you can use the ultra handy free trams that are on offer in the CBD, but they reduce your chances of walking down some small alley or arcade to find one of the quirky cafes or shops that make the centre of Melbourne so great. These alleyways are full of life and are totally worth the walk about to find one or two.
When I first moved over to Melbourne it was just coming to the end of the summer. And because of this my brother was down at St Kilda beach enjoying the warm weather. To catch up with him we decided to have dinner in St Kilda. Now St Kilda is an amazing part of Melbourne with lots amazing restaurants and cafes that all combine to give the place an amazing buzz throughout the day, especially around summer time. Now I can’t remember the place we went to but no matter what restaurant you choose you are sure to have a great time!
Ice Skating at the Medibank Icehouse was one of the first things I did when I moved over to Melbourne and was super fun. It was my first time skating and I managed to pick it up reasonably well. I can’t wait till I go next and definitely recommend it even if it’s not a traditionally Australian thing to do.
So they are my top things to do in Melbourne. Feel free to comment below anything you think I should checkout in Melbourne or if you’re planning to come to Melbourne some time soon.
Photography By Robert Muir, July 2015
July 24, 2019
The simplest of habits can have an insanely huge impact on your life. So, building the right ones is important. But what simple task done on a regular basis can have such a huge impact? Journaling, that’s what.
It has been used by many successful people throughout history. From creatives like Leonardo da Vinci to politicians like WinstonChurchill. The art of journaling provides an opportunity to explore and expand on your thoughts and ideas. Whether you are dealing with the possibility of imminent invasion or trying to conceive a way to fly, journaling gives your brain an opportunity to unload and examine.
Jim Rohn says,“If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured, and unique individual, keep a journal.”
So, can I build the habit? And should you try as well?
Journaling for me always brings thoughts of writing about you holidays and travel. Though it includes a lot more than that. You can write about your feelings, your weekly to-dos or your current project, if it involves reflecting or exploring something relevant to your life, then it’s journaling.Some versions of journaling are gratitude journaling, emotional release journaling, bullet Journaling and interstitial journaling.
Gratitude journaling involves writing down a selection of things you are grateful for. It is often recommended you write three but can be more. The aim of this is to increase your appreciation of your life and to think about the small things in life.
Emotional release journaling is writing about your emotional responses to situations throughout your day. This offers a great way to release emotion that you might otherwise bottle up and helps you understand your emotions better.
Bullet journaling is a form of a to-do list that involves planning your daily activities, goals and even collecting memories. This is a popular choice among the personal development community and entrepreneurs as it focuses on productivity, getting stuff done and ticking boxes.
Interstitial journaling is a form of productivity journaling. During your day, anytime you stop and move from one task to another, simple stop and write about what you just did and what you are about to do. The benefit of this form of journaling is that it helps your brain stop thinking about the first task and move onto the next. When you multitask and swap between one task to another and then back again, your brain experiences a lag where it is still thinking about the last problem.
Having tried and failed at journaling a number of times throughout my life, I was mindful to adjust my technique this time around. For this attempt I decided to use a two-book method which involves always having aField Notes 48-page memo book on me at all times and then a classic Moleskin notebook at home.
As for the writing. Well I decided to not restrict myself to any specific type of writing. I do however restrict what I write in each notebook.
My Field Notes notebook, I write a weekly habit list at the start of the week along with a to do list of other tasks I aim to get down that week. Then each day I write any short notes I want to remember. This can include my feelings about a situation, a project idea or a quote from a book I read.
Then at the end of each day I expand on any notes I have by writing into my Moleskin. This allows me to collect and expand ideas with more writing space. My Moleskin therefore has a mix between pages on blog post ideas, goal planning, project plans, emotional release writing and memories writing.
So how should you start journaling? Start by having a think about what it is you want to journal about and why? Having a strong why is important and you will find is a foundational feature for most habits. You might be about to go traveling and want to collect your daily adventures. Thus, you might choose to use just one notebook and only write in it once a day. For others you might have recently gone through a break up and want to try emotional release writing. You therefore could try a two-notebook method collect situations throughout the day with a brief feeling you had and then elaborate on those moment into a bigger notebook at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, just experiment. Try writing about different things as they interest you. My main suggestion I would have fora nyone that does want to start journaling is to always have at notepad within reach. You never know when you might feel like writing something down. I have found the habit is built a lot easier if you don’t restrict writing to a set time of day and instead allow yourself to write at any moment. Habits are built through repetition. So, make sure you don’t let yourself go more than 2 days without writing some of your thoughts.
Go out and write. Let your writing capture your ownimagination.
Notes:
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-journaling-for-stress-management-3144611
www.artofmanliness.com/articles/jumpstart-your-journaling-a-31-day-challenge
https://medium.com/thrive-global/start-journaling-54ea2edb104
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/6-ways-journaling-will-change-your-life.html
https://advice.shinetext.com/articles/heres-how-to-actually-make-journaling-a-habit/
https://medium.com/thrive-global/start-journaling-54ea2edb104
https://medium.com/better-humans/replace-your-to-do-list-with-interstitial-journaling-to-increase-productivity-4e43109d15ef