The following is something that I wrote to myself in my notebook while I was at work sometime last year, I think around July or August.
It’s think-out-loud time. Balance, effectively, the right-now and the big picture. Ignore neither, and do justice to both.
Smoking: You said you’d quit. You abstained for a week, then smoked here and there bumming from others. Haven’t bought a pack in a month. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good start, and there’s definitely progress. Eliminate this growing self-doubt, though, by extending the cold turkey- two weeks, starting today. (I didn’t.)
Fitness: You sustained the 3rd day routine (I had a routine where I’d go to the gym every three days, no matter what) for over a month- 2 months, even! You’re definitely fitter than you have ever been in your life, and that is certainly cause for celebration. It’s time to be more flexible. (That was a bad idea.) 3rd day is now to be 3x a week, any kind of workout as long as it’s intense. Add runs, swims. Focus on the legs. Listen to your body. Keep evaluating yourself constantly. (Good advice!) Eat more. Start eating breakfast and dinner/supper at home. SLEEP WELL. That is perhaps most vital. (I still haven’t really adhered to this properly.)
Finances: You made a mistake with gambling on Germany. (I bet $100 that they’d beat Serbia in the group stages of the World Cup.) You are to learn as much as possible from that negative experience and always look at such risks with clarity and an honest idea of how much you can afford to lose. (Damn son, that’s some good advice!) The library books were a great investment and I strongly support your investment to purchase them despite being fiscally crippled. (I bought 86 books at the Library Book Sale at $2 each. Best money I spent in my life.) The benefits definitely outweigh the cost. Okay. You quit smoking. (No I didn’t. LOL.) That’s good. Eat out less, and for less, too. Maximise the value-for-money of any indulgences. (Good advice!)
Music: Keep things simple, pleasant and straightforward. Consider using music as a reward, as motivation for other accomplishments. Acoustic guitars, bass. Worry about petty details only after debt is cleared (I used to owe some money to some of my friends), and when there is substantial free time. Blogging should come first.
Blog: This is the next and most important, immediate step. It is investing in your personal brand, building your value and worth. You say you want to be a writer. Prove it.Write every day. (I didn’t.) Cut down on FB status updates. (I did!) Nobody cares. Once you’re famous everyone will kiss your ass anyway. (Um… I had some growing up to do. But there is some truth to that statement, despite the regrettable phrasing.) Developing this will be the most immediate and powerful way of justifying your inflated self-esteem and give you the credence you so badly desire. (I’m not sure what to say.) Establish routine. (Good advice! That I have yet to properly heed.) Powerful, insightful entries every 3 days, fun stuff in between.
Art: This is still in its infancy but will someday be of immense value. Keep that in mind. Don’t give up on it. Expand to include it when level is sufficient. It’s sort of like a mini-game or side-quest for now. (I like to talk to myself in video-game analogies.)