Joseph's Journal

[Cam Adair]

<---- big fan of audiobooks

[Josephh]

You could try listen to audiobooks. Also this reason sounds an excuse. Of course it would haven been annoying as heck to go for only one classe that way. But I am sure you could have studied there in the library or did something else to make it worthwhile

True, it may be an excuse, but I feel like it does require some great time management skills in order to do something like this which I am not the best at... Trying to schedule things that way can be difficult when the things you're interested in doing may not align well with that schedule (and when you could be busy anyways).

I also tend to think of it as redundant to do tasks like being in the library unless I really have to, since I already somewhat have a place at home to study. In some way I still feel like that time is a waste, and I'm not sure how to go about convincing myself that it isn't. But regardless...

I also completely forgot about audiobooks for some reason. Yeah, I'll definitely be looking into those.

Day 9:

I’ve been able to keep a consistent exercise routine going for a while now, with mostly running and some stretching here and there and all that.

Besides school, watching a movie (Spectre) and some business to take care of today (like further arrangements for driving lessons, to which I’ve already set up the schedule for and have received information for, alongside some tools for preparation and etc.), I’m more than halfway through The Power of Habit now. I find it insightful, especially when it goes into detail about concepts like keystone habits and small wins (and how something insignificant can spark big changes in other aspects) and so forth. The Alcor story so far is my favorite story of the bunch, only simply because I’m drawn to its subtleties of how a change in habits that don’t seem relevant at all to anything actually end up being way more connected to the larger goal than you think. The author brings up many similar examples of this happening in individuals as well, which I think is intriguing to think about especially for many cases you see here on the forum (including my own).

My cravings for video games are mostly gone right now, and my activity on gaming forums has almost ceased for the most part - though on occasion I still resort to brainless Internet surfing. I am glad, however, that it has at least gotten to this point and that my circumstance right now isn't as bad as it could've been. I still think about the many lessons that I've learned thus far from reading books like The Slight Edge and The Power of Habit, of which some of this information I am already trying to apply to many aspects of my life. Hopefully in the near future when the situation arises I can fully utilize this knowledge to the best of my abilities.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Hey at the end you decide what feels best for you. Just sometimes your think very linear so if someone else points out other ways this can be helpful. That's what I am trying to do    A wide horizon is always a good thing for informed decisions. You doing a great job on your detox by the way!

[Josephh]

Hey at the end you decide what feels best for you. Just sometimes your think very linear so if someone else points out other ways this can be helpful. That's what I am trying to do    A wide horizon is always a good thing for informed decisions. You doing a great job on your detox by the way!

Oh, I don't want to give the impression that I'm not listening or that I'm not considering anyone else's opinions/perspectives, because I definitely am. I try to be open to criticism and feedback and I appreciate it whenever people even take the time to read this journal at all and post here in this topic. I wouldn't even post a journal here otherwise. =P

(And thank you)

[Cam Adair]

Great job staying consistent with your exercise. I know it makes a HUGE difference for me.

[Josephh]

Day 10:

This might be my shortest journal entry yet, which is a break from the long essay-like entries that I often post. I try to keep it as concise as I can for those who read this stuff because I also value your time as well, though I’m one of those types of people who enjoys writing stuff if only for the fact that it helps to clarify my thoughts and gives me a stress release of sorts.

Besides class today and a few other errands I hadn’t done much else, although technically that alone already occupied most of my day. It’s kind of a routine that I’ve already set in at this point. But it’s also another day in which I hadn’t touched anything gaming-related, nor did I even feel the urge to. So I guess that’s a good thing.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Feel free to write as much as you like. Only cam "has" to read everything

[Cam Adair]

Only cam "has" to read everything

Haha I appreciate the short posts very much!

[Josephh]

Day 11:

In my attempts to try to fill in my Internet time-wasting with things that are more productive, I’ve been watching YouTube videos that are more of the educational type (science channels like PBS Space Time and VSauce… because that stuff is awesome and I would never give that up for the world). I did a little bit of review of some of the material I learned in school as well.

I’ve been reading through a lot of the others’ journals lately. I’m hoping that by reading these journals it will also give me some inspiration, insight into how I can improve myself as well as what other things I could improve and should be writing down in my journals as well. I do find one common theme in each of these journals (of success stories) I’ve been reading is the setting up of goals. Admittedly I’ve never really thought about adding such goals, especially when they’re measurable objectives in a quantifiable sense.

So in terms of these goals… I know I have an essay due next week, alongside driving school over this weekend and possibly some time to focus on learning cooking 2 weeks from now (just so that I can force myself to do so with my parents away), so I have those to look forward to, but besides that, in terms of stuff I want to do by the end of the summer…

- I’ve set up a goal to try to read 25 books by the end of this year. I’ve already read The Slight Edge & am about to finish The Power of Habit, so afterwards that makes 23 more to go. I’m aiming that by the time summer has ended I will be halfway through that goal.

- I’m looking to get at least a B (or around that, at least 70+) overall in this class I’m taking.

- I would like to engage myself in some volunteering in an activity or for an organization/cause I am interested in before the Fall semester of school starts. I haven’t really thought about what this would be yet though – but I aim to think this over the next few days when my mind isn’t on so many things at once. Hopefully by then I'll know what that will be.

- I may set up something similar to usernameforworldpeace! when he did his challenges for conquering his social anxiety - I've been having trouble with that in some parts.

 

Edited July 8, 2016 by RControl

[Cam Adair]

Setting some goals will really help you develop more focus. This video can help you with that.

[Josephh]

Setting some goals will really help you develop more focus. This video can help you with that.

Watched that video. Made some pretty good suggestions in regards to goal setting which I will be sure to implement the next time around. Thanks!

 

Day 12:

I spent most of my day with family. Hadn't gotten too much done otherwise (and this technically includes another day without games anyways) - but I'm still doing my exercising.

I'm also attempting to aim for the next week (or so if I can) to not jump to the computer every time I wake up and to actually set on a routine first of brushing my teeth, eating breakfast, etc. I've been able to do that starting today.

Tomorrow is my first day of driving lessons. I will be sure to look forward to those.

[Cam Adair]

Enjoy your driving lessons!

[Josephh]

Enjoy your driving lessons!

Thank you.

 

Day 13:

In my attempt to go to bed earlier than usual, I’m also posting this journal entry earlier than usual. It does however lead to the consequence of having a bit less to report on only because my day has gotten a bit shorter.

Regardless, I attended my first driving class today. I was given a basic review of some of the signs, the traffic laws & regulations that I had to pay attention to. Some were self-explanatory, and others were things that I probably had forgotten about prior to beginning these lessons (the first driver’s exam I did was about a few years back just to obtain the license; I hadn’t done anything else since to upgrade it). I was taught some basic techniques of driving like threshold braking, the proper way to steer (9 and 3), etc. Overall it went well for a first time and wasn’t quite as intimidating as I thought it could be – what’s next really is to practice and practice so that I can get the hang of it before I move on to the next thing (with someone who has enough experience to supervise me obviously - probably one of my parents, as is required by law until I gather enough experience and pass all the tests to upgrade my current license).

Anyways, there’s that. For tomorrow my primary focus will be on my studies – I’m going to continue working on the essay that is due next week.

 

[Cam Adair]

Glad you enjoyed your driving lesson. Driving is a lot easier than it seems once you get the hang of it. Just remember to look with your eyes where you want the car to go.

[Kad]

To help get my habits in place I use an app called Productive and just swipe them as I do them.  I have the morning routine ones, things I want to do so many times per week etc.  It feels good to swipe them done and helps me keep track so that i don't forget about them.

[Josephh]

To help get my habits in place I use an app called Productive and just swipe them as I do them.  I have the morning routine ones, things I want to do so many times per week etc.  It feels good to swipe them done and helps me keep track so that i don't forget about them.

Is there an Android version of the app? I know there's one for the iOS - but a search found nothing. I might look for similar apps though. Thanks for the suggestion.

Day 15:

I skipped a journal entry yesterday by my intention, as I only aim to write down things that I thought were interesting – or things that I would look to as progress besides redundancy. Though I was doing quite a lot of studying and writing both yesterday and today – in fact I just finished my essay which is due next class. Just need to look it over now. A second assignment will arrive soon enough that I will have to do as well (although in both of these cases they don’t require THAT much writing anyways due to the time constraints of being in a summer course, so it also makes that a bit easier if still pretty intensive).

In all honesty, it looks like for the next couple of days at least I may need to do a lot of focusing on school since the workload is now starting to get a bit more intense. I’ll have to put off or at least delay a few things in the meanwhile. (I hadn’t touched The Power of Habit since a few days ago – I would really like to finish that book.) Once things settle down a bit I will probably look to do other things.

 

[lilX]

To help get my habits in place I use an app called Productive and just swipe them as I do them.  I have the morning routine ones, things I want to do so many times per week etc.  It feels good to swipe them done and helps me keep track so that i don't forget about them.

Is there an Android version of the app? I know there's one for the iOS - but a search found nothing. I might look for similar apps though. Thanks for the suggestion.

Day 15:

I skipped a journal entry yesterday by my intention, as I only aim to write down things that I thought were interesting – or things that I would look to as progress besides redundancy. Though I was doing quite a lot of studying and writing both yesterday and today – in fact I just finished my essay which is due next class. Just need to look it over now. A second assignment will arrive soon enough that I will have to do as well (although in both of these cases they don’t require THAT much writing anyways due to the time constraints of being in a summer course, so it also makes that a bit easier if still pretty intensive).

In all honesty, it looks like for the next couple of days at least I may need to do a lot of focusing on school since the workload is now starting to get a bit more intense. I’ll have to put off or at least delay a few things in the meanwhile. (I hadn’t touched The Power of Habit since a few days ago – I would really like to finish that book.) Once things settle down a bit I will probably look to do other things.

 

Nice! Keep up the effort! 

[Piotr]

It's good that you prioritise your activities. Reading books can wait, while school can't. You doing great.

[Cam Adair]

Keep going Joseph, you're doing great!

[Josephh]

Day 17:

My essay has now been handed in class today, hopefully it’ll at least be decent.

Also have some more driving lessons scheduled for some time next week provided that nothing else comes up then. I could’ve had it this week, but my instructor isn’t in this weekend and the next couple of days are a bit busy for me. I’ve been trying to squeeze in quite a lot into my schedule lately… the commute to school, the other school work I have to do, the exercising (which admittedly I’m doing some, but not quite on top of like before only because of what I'm currently prioritizing at the moment - the hot weather outside doesn’t help either. But I'm definitely working on it) and the driving lessons on top of that AND even more. It’s been a little crazy for me trying to juggle all of these things at once – but I think in due time it will settle down a bit for me.

 

Edited July 14, 2016 by RControl
Formatting

[Cam Adair]

It’s been a little crazy for me trying to juggle all of these things at once

And amazing that you are becoming the type of person who's capable of this!

[Josephh]

Day 19:

Over the past few days, besides school work I have mostly been trying to prepare for the next upcoming school year as well. I’ve mostly been running around gathering information regarding finances and have been doing a lot of research on living independently, whether it be on campus or somewhere close. I felt that if there’s any time to do this kind of thing, it might as well be now, since any later will probably be a bit too late to make any decisions regarding my living arrangements. I’ve already spoken to plenty of people (my parents and those working for the college) regarding this decision. I still have quite a bit to do in that regard, and I need time to think more about this as to me this is a pretty difficult decision – so we’ll see until then. I still have a few people I might need to talk to on those matters.

It doesn’t seem like my parents will be on vacation after all (as I’ve stated many entries ago), the plans have changed a bit for reasons I won’t discuss here. Though if I am to continue down the path I have described, I will have to learn cooking at some point. I’ll probably do it later on when I am used to all this and I can have a moment to do so. I do currently feel a bit of stress so far, as I haven’t yet realized the massive responsibility that I will be undertaking. I do believe though that this is just a testing ground for what I’ll have to be doing at some point in my life anyways – especially if I can fit in all of these activities and tasks into one schedule. As long as I can keep a habit of doing all these things I don’t think it’ll be that hard – considering how everyone else is doing all of these things at once anyway.

At this point video games are kind of out of the question considering what I’m aiming to do within the next few months. I haven’t been thinking about them at all. I've mostly been thinking about acquiring a certain kind of freedom - whether it be intellectual freedom via the pursuit of learning (including being in an institution like a college/university that will guide me in doing so), the freedom to go out and make my own decisions and take on certain responsibilities for myself, including the freedom away from video games, and much more.

 

[lilX]

You are keen to prepare for school so early. 

Yes college/university offers a lot of freedom. 

Stay strong! 

[Cam Adair]

Independence is one of the best things for yourself. Embrace it! Yes, it may be a challenge but that just means it will help you GROW.

[Josephh]

Day 22:

I’ve been a bit busy today. I’ve mostly been studying for school – and then going to class, which explains why I’m staying up a bit later than usual to post this journal entry. But anyways:

Besides the usual, I’m aiming to start driving lessons again sometime this week, maybe on this Friday or Saturday, or even both depending on how much time I have.

An assignment has been handed out in class that will be due in a couple weeks’ time. On top of that, registration for upcoming courses for the school year will be coming soon which I want to make time for in order to prepare my selections.

I’m continuing to do further research into living independently on my own, although I haven’t progressed much from the last time around. There are events on campus in the upcoming few days and weeks that are all about gathering information and speaking to people (including landlords) regarding this stuff, so I hope to take advantage of those at some point. The more I think about it, the more inclined I feel about making this decision and the more I hope I won’t be too late to make that decision when school comes again starting this fall.