Day #1 – “Just the Beginning”
As I mentioned yesterday, I am beginning what I’m calling “30 Days of Intention” to get myself out of a minor rut and re-orient a few areas of my life. Creativity is a primary theme that I’m focusing on during this next month. I’ll do my best to update you every day with what I’m experiencing.
Overview of Day #1
Overall, I enjoyed the day and I could feel the “permission” that my wife and I gave myself to not “work for work sake” (W4W) as Tim Ferriss discusses. I did have a couple of work projects come up, and I immediately completed them. My priority during this experiment is to continue serving my clients with the utmost care, but I don’t want to default to fake work (worrying about my bank account and mindlessly checking email, Facebook, Twitter, websites, etc.)
- Family - Dropped kids off, checked business mail, shopped for groceries, and picked up Lexie from the vet (weekend boarding).
- Reading – Took Laura’s van to get washed and continued reading “The 4-Hour Work Week” while I waited.
- Flower arranging - Researched classes and became frustrated. (Looking for a 2-6 week class in LA or Orange County that’s during the weekday.)
- 8TRACKstudios – revised a client email campaign, tracked down client web content, and followed up on past due invoices.
- Writing - Almost finished chapter 3 of 16.
- Eye exam - No change in my contact lens prescription in three years.
- Decorating – Picked up photos from weekend photo shoot and placed a few in frames.
- Friends – Typed a note to a close friend.
- Family – Cooked dinner for my family and cleaned up the dishes.
- Facebook & Twitter – no browsing at all.
Health
After regaining 35 pounds over the past 1.5 years (weighed 214 lbs. this morning), I’m modifying my intake tremendously by taking on a “slow carb” diet in order to lose fat and gain muscle. Frankly, it was rough. My mind was consumed by food all day. I wanted bread, pasta, rice, and cheese…simply because I’ve chosen not to have it. I’ll be reminding myself daily that I have chosen this, and no one has forced this upon me. After a mid-morning breakfast, I wasn’t that hungry for lunch. After dinner, I started feeling a little odd…not sure how to describe it.
- Mid-morning breakfast – 3/4 cup of egg whites, seasoned black beans, and protein drink (68 grams).
- Mid-day snack – carrots and protein drink (68 grams).
- Dinner – grilled chicken breast, corn, seasoned black beans, and mixed lettuce with light Ranch dressing.
- Evening snack – celery and protein drink (68 grams).
- Exercise - none.
Tomorrow – Day #2
I’m intending to finish writing chapter 3, start/finish chapter 4, and re-edit some photos from last weekend and have them uploading for printing. I also plan to research several creative, independent shops that I’d like to visit this week as well as an art gallery for next week. Although I spent a few minutes in meditation today, I’d like to experience more time in silent reflection and listening tomorrow.
Are you willing to try some new intentions in your own life?
If so, tell me about them and how it goes.
