Just a few ideas
So it's 2016. Happy New Year, everyone. I don't really do new year's resolutions and if I did, I know I'd never keep them anyway. But I guess this is a good time to share these fairly simple ideas that might make me a little happier and more productive if I don't forget about them.
Every day (unless, maybe, there's a really good reason not to*) I should try to:
1. Be up before noon.
Not just awake. Dressed, out of bed and ready to start my day. Yes, even on Sundays.
2. Go outside.
Even if I don't need to. Yes, even if it's cold. That's what warm clothes are for.
3. Get something done.
As in, actually accomplish something. Scribbling on a piece of paper for an hour and not coming any closer to a solution doesn't count. I know I can't prove a new theorem every day, but if don't come up with any new results, I should do some writing and if I feel totally uninspired, there are always some chores to do.
4. Excercise.
I don't need two-hour workouts more than twice a week. But that doesn't mean I can just sit on my ass all day. I could take a long walk or just excercise for five minutes when I feel like I've been sitting for too long.
5. Do something creative.
Anything, really. Write a story. Draw a picture. Solve a difficult math problem. Ask an interesting question. Answer an interesting question.
6. Read.
Not just anything. Either a few pages of a novel or other story, or some kind of science text. Preferably not from a screen.
7. Talk to someone.
Just buying some bread or saying hello to a neighbor isn't enough. Have an actual conversation with someone. Talking online counts. Reading someone's blog post doesn't.
8. Be in bed before 3 a.m..
Seriously, by that time I'm ususlly too tired to do anything useful anyway.
9. If I didn't do one of those things, ask myself why.
This is important.
_______________________________
* No, "I didn't feel like it" is not a good reason.
Every day (unless, maybe, there's a really good reason not to*) I should try to:
1. Be up before noon.
Not just awake. Dressed, out of bed and ready to start my day. Yes, even on Sundays.
2. Go outside.
Even if I don't need to. Yes, even if it's cold. That's what warm clothes are for.
3. Get something done.
As in, actually accomplish something. Scribbling on a piece of paper for an hour and not coming any closer to a solution doesn't count. I know I can't prove a new theorem every day, but if don't come up with any new results, I should do some writing and if I feel totally uninspired, there are always some chores to do.
4. Excercise.
I don't need two-hour workouts more than twice a week. But that doesn't mean I can just sit on my ass all day. I could take a long walk or just excercise for five minutes when I feel like I've been sitting for too long.
5. Do something creative.
Anything, really. Write a story. Draw a picture. Solve a difficult math problem. Ask an interesting question. Answer an interesting question.
6. Read.
Not just anything. Either a few pages of a novel or other story, or some kind of science text. Preferably not from a screen.
7. Talk to someone.
Just buying some bread or saying hello to a neighbor isn't enough. Have an actual conversation with someone. Talking online counts. Reading someone's blog post doesn't.
8. Be in bed before 3 a.m..
Seriously, by that time I'm ususlly too tired to do anything useful anyway.
9. If I didn't do one of those things, ask myself why.
This is important.
_______________________________
* No, "I didn't feel like it" is not a good reason.