Starting At One
It has been awhile since I wrote here in the blog. The last entry was in 2020. I have decided to start writing the blog post again. Before I explain what I hope to achieve by re starting the Blog; I want to provide the reason I stopped the Blog in the first place. I hope my explantion can give the reader insight into what not to do in there blog writing endeavors.
I started the Blog as a way to create content, not with the intention to create Blog posts that I was happy with, but in a way to fulfill a bucket that content creators or social media influencers should have a blog. It wasn't something that I really enjoyed, and at the time I didn't have a plan of what I wanted to accomplish with having the Blog, or what value I wanted to add to the world with it. I didn't even know what value I wanted to achieve from it, and so I was not fulfilled by having the Blog.
Another problem was that I was trying to do much which I feel continues to be something that I struggle with, but I am making improvements. At the time, I was really focused on growing Age of Radio and towards the middle of 2020 the 3T Warrior Academy started to gain traction. The traction of 3T Warrior Academy coupled with what I wanted to accomplish with Age of Radio I decided to just focus on my podcast. Which had its up and downs, but now I have been able to create some consistency. You can listen to it by clicking here if you would like.
Everything can start and stop. I don't believe there is a problem with that, as long as you get better every time. In Zen Buddhism, there is a practice of counting your breaths. You count "1" on your in breath and then "2" on your out breath. You do this with an internal monologue while you are breathing in and out, traditionally through your nose. Once you reach 10, then you start over at 1. What traditionally happens is that you will get lost with your counts, and will keep going back to the beginning. Even when you make it to 10 you will start over at 1. I think of this every time I get messed up and start over. There is nothing wrong with trying again. Each time you start getting closer to 10, and then you will make it there more often. I think of it as a metaphor for keep going. That is why I never personally care if I stop something. I will eventually start it again, and it will get better each time, and eventually it will create consistency and become something long lasting.
Round Two
So going into the new year I'm going to do give this another college try. There are a few reasons I'm choosing to start writing blogs again.
- I have been studying web development. I am trying to work on the front end development of a special project I am working towards for Age of Radio. The creation of the Blog using my own HTML, CSS, and Java Script will allow me consistent practice.
- I think I know the stuff that I want to write about. I want to spend more time writing thoughtfully about the things that I am studying: Politics, Web Development, Education, Business, Buddhism, Mysticism, etc. I want to share the things that I learn and write good pieces on the subjects.
- When I was in college, I was able to write much better than I do currentyly. Along with English 200 I took multiple Philosophy courses which required a lot of essay writing. I want to be able to write better and the only way to do that is with practice.
- I want to practice expressing my thoughts, and be able to share things I am an authority in. This is part of a long term strategy to create a body of work that I can reference regarding things that I specialize in. This is super important to me because I am now starting to get my trajectory back to where I was headed prior to my time at the bank. I never intended to spend 10 years in retail banking. If there is such a thing as destiny, then I believe I was there to have met my business partner Coach JV. Which I am forever grateful.
The plan moving forward is to create two to three blogs a month. My goal is by 2023 to have somewhere between 26 to 30 entries. Eventually, I would like to have one entry a week, but I would rather have really good content when it comes to my writing. Again, I want to try to spend more time on these blog posts and not feel rushed to write them. One of the things that are going to help hold me accountable is a scorecard. A scorecard is essentially a table that has a goal in column and in a second column it has the measurement of success. Businesses tend to look at these on a regular basis to make sure they are reaching their goals. It works really well for people as well. In my case the goal for January would be 2 blog posts. At the end of January I would put what I actually did, and that would be what I would put in the second column. My nonsocial media goals would like the below table. I will work to provide my social goals at a later date.
Basic Score Card Example
Will I meet these goals, I am not sure, but what I do is that you cannot progress if you are not checking your progression and holding yourself accountable. What can you do to help with your goal setting?
How To Set Goals
Setting Goals are probably one of my favorite things to do, and also something that continually depressed me. I enjoy setting goals and working towards them, but then when I reach the goal I am never satisfied with where I am at. Mediation and Buddhism helps with this, but I imagine others feel this way. Some people say that the Journey is the most important part not the destination, and for me I would agree with that. However; I am always filled with anxiety that I have to continually do more and more. Which is why I encourage people if they feel this way as well is to make sure they are taking care of their mental health. Always make sure you are taking time for yourself, and make sure you are resting. So, what are some things you can do to help set goals:
- Identify what you want to achieve: This means write down the end result that you want to accomplish when all is said and done.
- Make your goals SPECIFIC and MEASURABLE: This works well by trying to assign a number or a measurable indicator to track your progress. This is what I did with my Scorecard example above.
- Set deadlines for your goals: Making sure you have a timeline drawn out can help you stay motivated and on track. Make sure that the deadlines are realistic. Don't give yourself three weeks to lose 50 lbs.
- Track your progress: This directly ties into my Scorecard example. Keep track of your progression towards the measurable aspect of your goal. Do this on a monthly basis. The more often you review, then the more likely you are to achieve your goals.
- Celebrate your Achievements:Take time to celebrate how awesome you are doing. There is nothing egotistical about being proud of your accomplishments.
It is okay if you start and stop. What is important is that you keep starting, and work to get better each time. If you don't achieve your goals right away it is okay. Get up and go for Round Two, or Three, or Four. Giving up is when you stop and don't start again. Remember to be flexible because sometimes goals need to change. Always remember to have fun. If you aren't having fun, then why do it.
Gassho,
Namo Amida Butsu
📿 JQ