August September Goal Review

Gird yourself – while July was swell, August pushed me in new ways:

August Goal Review

1. “No” Week
   • Failed. Temptations came out of the woodwork. I said “yes” to a few nights of dancing, a going away party, and more when asked. I did feel good about saying “no” to some events after the “no” week, but not in a way I feel confident in claiming this goal.
2. Appointments o’ Function
   • Failed. I did not set aside the time to make the calls, set the appointments, and show up for many of the maintenance tasks I wanted accomplished. #Shame
3. Appointments o’ Fun
   • Won! Big wins here. Now I know how to surf, I have a new climbing gym and regular twice-a-week routine, line dancing and two-stepping are added to my suite of moves, I have made or joined new social groups, and have of course enjoyed the water these few weeks. Despite going without the martial arts class in August, I am having fun 🙂
4. Sleep
   • Won! I missed three days unintentionally to the 10 PM in-bed time, while six seven days I actively chose to stay out for the activities and people I engaged with. I left a lot of parties early and stayed out for some, having it come to mind that a 9 PM “go home” reminder is a reminder to evaluate the vibe, rather than a rule to call it quits. Adopting this for a daily consideration!
5. Bonus: 4 Days No Internet
   • Failed. Or at least I cannot take credit for. Absolute cutting off of internet was a problem the first day of this experiment. Heck, I write this blog post on another! Really, it made me think where was I spending my time aimlessly – this happened to be on a few social media apps. At least I uninstalled most of those 💯

September Goal Proposal

1. Lay Out Less
   • A spinoff from the “no” of last month, 1-to-2 days a week (roll a D6, on a 1:) only allow myself to list 4 tasks to do vs the 10-20+ I normally jot down.
2. 10 Hours Video Game
   • I cannot recall the last time I had to schedule in play time – months? Last year? Anyway, I want to play a game again. Heck, maybe some games! The only way I feel I can do that right now is set aside the time. 10 hours ought be incredibly doable over the month.
3. Cold-Play BITS
   • Taking the starting ‘missions’ or ‘adventures’ from a tabletop roleplaying game (I am thinking something from the Warhammer universe or a Mork Borg solo jaunt using oracles and randomizers), I aim to play it to completion by using the BITS system, making sure to form or update rules as appropriate as I play. Keep the content lean, keep it just-in-time applicable to the play situations that come up.
   • Bonus: Play multiple scenarios to rehash BITS rules “just-in-time.” Shake up the genres too.
4. Read Tools of Titans
   • Another Tim Ferriss book, Tools of Titans has been sitting on my desk for months, owned for years. Time to do something about that.

–

Back on track! I seem to have been challenged enough in August to accomplish much, just not everything (~50% 😱). An accomplishment of balance!

Writing all this out, it looks like September has ~36-40 hours of core activity planned – a month of consumption, leisure, and casual entertainment creation. Will keep with up with climbing, swimming, dancing, at least once-a-week dining, the blog here, a few concerts upcoming, and any socializing I shim into the calendar.

What is life without a little fun? A little living?

Off I go to do the things. What are you off to? Share your wins! Cheers to ’em ~