audblog audio post Part I.
audblog audio post Part II.
audblog audio post Part III.
Transcript:
Daily discipline progress
I’ve been keeping up my new morning routine… short prayer, 2 minute meditation, exercises for my back and rotator cuff, some sports psyching mental exercises, and a couple of balancing exercises.
I’ve taken the weekends off on purpose for this routine and I tend to miss the days when I have to drive my daughter to school. But its starting to feel like a habit, even though it’s only been two weeks. Supposedly, it takes 28 days to develop a habit, and given my track record, I’m not in a position to argue. I’m kind of feeling cocky, tho, because I’m noticing the benefits…. my back and shoulder aches are diminishing, and I’m starting to see a little improvement in my mental game when playing racquetball — more relaxed and more focused… although only when playing singles, thus far. It all goes to hell quickly when I play doubles. Too much goofy thinking about “what will they think?” I guess. But that’s a problem to work on later.
I’m also getting a little better at noticing when I start entertaining thinking that makes me bothered and tense.
As I was saying, I’m getting a little better at noticing when I start entertaining thinking that makes me bothered and tense.
This morning, not 2 minutes after I woke up, it suddenly occurred to me that the deadline for getting my business taxes done is March 15, not April 15.
Sonuvabitch! I’d better install the software today and start sorting the stacks of paper receipts. How the hell am I going to get it all done by Friday? Why didn’t I put this in my Palm’s to-do list? and…. Okay, hold it right there. No need to think about this shit now. I’ll make time later today to get started and I’ll get it done. Now, I just want focus on my morning routine, enjoy my coffee, and watch the sunrise.
While that latter whack on the side of the head was a step in the right direction, it wasn’t enough. Within a minute or two, my brain went right back to the bothersome thoughts about the taxes. It wasn’t till I started in on the 555 meditation routine did I get my head out of the future and settle down to actually enjoying the morning.
It’s amazing to me how weak my concentration is. I can start the process of focusing on 5 things to feel, 5 to hear, 5 to see but unless I actually count, I get distracted. And I’ve noticed it helps me to quietly mouthe or whisper the numbers and the thing I’m focusing on. “One, and I feel the cold glass of juice on the palm of my hand. Two, and I feel my knee against the cabinet.” Seems ridiculous, but that’s how distractible I guess I am. No wonder I can’t sustain any degree of focus when playing a sport.
I don’t know if I’ll get better at this, but for now, I’m a just a rookie. All I know, is, this stuff seems to work.
That’s it for today, March 11, 2003. I’m Griff Wigley for Real Joe. Important stuff. Plain talk. Ordinary guys.