Make @home a habit

I have been having problems finding time to check my @home list, review, my project list, and other GTD related tasks. Why am I so resistant to checking my @home list?
I think it is becauseI definitely don't have the habit built to review @home at home. I have the means, @home on PC in outlook and on my Blckberry but I don't have the habit.
Why?
I haven't been working on building it.
Can I learn from my own experience?
I have built the habit for reviewing my budget daily. I did this by creating a reward system that if I review my budget and make it current each and every day for a month I give myself a treat (usually dinner out nice like Sushi.)
Can I do the same thing with my @home list?
I have thought that I could reward myself for looking at it every day but what generally happens is I open it, read it and close it. What about a time frame? I could spend 15 minutes a day completing next action with a minimum of 1-6 next actions completed (I could roll a die). This sounds l.ike a good idea, it also sound like it will stick because
1. it engages me creatively (the die roll)
2. it gives me something to look forward to (the reward)
3. It is specific and measurable.
I will post my progress.

P.S. I keep myself accountable for this by:
1. Posting about it in the blog
2. Announcing it to my family and including them in the reward. This gives them a reason to support me without nagging. I find people can be very supportive when you give them something to be selfish about.

Ladybug is the bestest doggie

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Hemet is beautiful

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Clutter

My goal of reduced clutter is succeeding.
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Changing lenses is a pain but worth it

I am out at a park in the south hills of hemet. Getting some great shots. I don't like changing lenses. It really gives resistance practice and helps me to follow my intuition to better shots. If I really don't want to change out the lense, that means I probably should.
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Unvoicedvisions.com updated

My photography site unvoicedvisions.com is updated with some new and old photos.

Trash can for rent

Rental rates are so high this family decided to cash in at a whole new level. LOL
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Summer is finally over

I love fun in the sun like most people but I hate the heat. Being that it gets up to 130° in Hemet these clouds, the rain we got today and the breeze on my face make me really happy. I wish the weather was like this all the time.
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Unclutter means peace of mind

Boy, it is easier to work on my school work with a clean and neat desk. I missed this.
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What does anxiety feel like?

Anxiety is tricky. When talking to people about anxiety I find that a lot of people get rapped up in the
"Why?"

They figure if they can figure out why they feel the way they feel, they will then magically disolve it but how do they feel?
I can guarantee you that the how is very different for different people. Ask someone how they are anxious and the answer is very different.
For example, I have some anxiety right now; why?
I have no idea and if I obsess on why or even think about it my anxiety might even get worse but instead; how?

How am I anxious?
I feel a little out of breath but I am not breathing heavy. I have some tightness in my chest and lower back.
As I wrote the above I felt my body start to focus on breathing and my head clear up a bit (an issue I hadn't even identified.) Actively I can adjust my seated position and engage my core to take the strain off of my back. I close my eyes and take 3 long steady breathes.
When identifying the issue, my body tries to correct the issue on it's own, from there I can take some active steps to relaxing and correcting each symptom one at a time.
Bang! My mind is clear, I remembered something important I skipped today and found the source of myanxiety.
Here are some steps to follow.
1. Identify the symptoms. You can do this out loud, on note paper, in a journal, in a blog, in notepad and save a file, just silently in you head, heck, if you paint, paint a picture. Whatever you do make sure it is expressed and you identify each feeling.
2. List actions you can take to attack each symptom one a time. If you can't fix the symptom, identify it in your head, visualize it and think about it inside and out, name it (yeah, name it) and ask yourself, is this something I can deal with. If you can't deal with it, note that and mvoe onto the next sympton, reflect back on it after you have taken others apart.
3. Focus on your breathing or practice any other anxiety management method you can find and like, examples are yoga, meditation, journaling, etc

I find this method works great for me. Once each issue is identified I find that the whole monster of anxiety is a lot easier to deal with.

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Don't just learn how to create but create!

I just started Fearless Creating by Eric Maisel and was really struck by the intro. He claims that he would like his readers to create after reading his book and not just claim that they have learned about creating. Now that is outcome based thinking.
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Relax into productivity

Relax, you don't have to be intense to have momentum, like chi running, relax into it, lean forward and let gravity do the work for you.

Phew

Processing is done!
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It only get's worse

Haha! Collection is almost done!
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Blogger

I am frustrated with blogger. I am posting more and more complex posts and my template comes up with hideous formatting. Adding to the project list right now: review blogger format and simplify template for mobile blogging. Also sub projects - look into typepad and see what format other blogs use.
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Got the Recipe for Hominy au Gratin (and I can spell it too)

Got this recipe off of about.com - http://southernfood.about.com/od/gritsrecipes/r/bl30104e.htm Hominy is cooked with Cheddar cheese.
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups hominy (about one large can, or about 29 ounces)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup butter
  
• 1 cup warmed milk

Preparation:

In skillet combine hominy with water, salt, cheese, and butter. Cook over
low heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese and butter have melted. Gradually
stir in milk and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and bubbly. Put under
broiler to brown. Serves 8.

Neural reflection

My work inbox is empty but at home chaos prevails. Stuff goes in but it generally stays there. It is a flawed system but I commit to fixing it
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Natural Planning Model for Sleep Project

I woke up at 10 to 7 this morning. I slept at 1am. This particular issue is really
eating at me. I want to get to bed earlier but feel blocked.
I want to blame everyone around me whether they be work or family but I know
in my heart that it is my choice and I am merely making excuses.
Why can't to bed earlier? What is stopping me? The answer that whispers in
my head is, "because you don't want to". I know I really do want it. I want earlier
nights and earlier mornings like I used to have. I want to be able to proclaim "every
hour of sleep before midnight is worth two and every hour up before noon
is worth two"
What is the next action? I don't know. I will have to walk myself through the
natural planning model.

Natural Planning Model for Sleeping Earlier Waking Earlier Project
1. What is the purpose and principles? (Why do I want to get to bed earlier
and what rules am I abiding by?)
Purpose:
I want to get to bed earlier because I like how I feel when I sleep that schedule.
I enjoy the energy, morning clarity, and the ability to accomplish more in the
morning.
Principles:
I want to start getting to bed earlier but I also want flexibility, if an activity
requires being up late then I don't want to be left out of it.
2. What is the desired outcome?

What would wild success look like?

In this case wild success would be I curl up into bed every night between 7:00PM
and 9:00PM and wake up between 3:30am and 4:30am. My best memories of good sleep
come from going to bed at 7, sleeping in became getting up at 4. I wake up bright
and early with a smile and am up and to the shower or the gym without hesitation.
My skin is in better shape, my anxiety becomes more manageable, and I slowly
but surely get back into my optimal athletic shape.



3. Brainstorming

What are all the things that occur to me about this? What is the
current reality? What do I know? What do I not know? What ought I consider?
What haven’t
I considered? Etc.

• Design a reward system for keeping a chain of early bed
• Take melatonin and valarien root
  
• Go to the gym at 4 or even better, 3:30 after work which will help you
  sleep.
  
• Start jogging
  
• Practice getting up earlier when you are not tired to ingrain
  it into your subconscious.
  
• Keep a dream journal
  
• Talk to your family about your commitment and get ideas
  
• Research sleep on line
  
• Don’t be too strict with a time
  
• This is connected to my health and fitness project as well as my anxiety
  management project so this should help me with anxiety, procrastination,
  energy levels, etc.
  
• I should take before and after pictures and blog about
  my progress.
• I could use the checklists in GTDagenda.com (will blog about
  this soon).
  
• Take a shower before bed
  
• Get a new bed frame
  
• I can add meditation to my sleep state to my daily meditation.
  
• I definitely have to pray about this – Why does prayer never pop
  into my mine first?
  
• Make sure to budget melatonin and valerian.
  
• I am celebrating the completion of another goal (Daily budget planning
  on nov 30th). This could be part of my next goal. So my preparation will
  be due by Nov 30th
  
• I have to make sure that my life is still balanced with my relationship
  with my girlfriend and family around this sleeping schedule.
  
• If I fall off the wagon I need to jump back on the next day and not
  let it discourage me.
  
• What mistakes can I learn from?I know not to be inflexible the last
  time I did this I set a flat time and it was too difficult to maintain around
  other commitments. But I also know not to let peer pressure talk me out of
  this. I know in my heart that this works for me. I will discuss this with
  family first thought because it is a big change and resistance is rampant
  during a big change.
  
• What skills do I have that can help me with this? I know how to practice
  and I know how to negotiate with resistance.
  
• What could happen? I end up in a fight with my girlfriend because I
  don’t want to stay up. Can I handle it? Yes, I need to be open in discussions
  with my family before starting the project since my schedule doesn’t
  only effect me.
  
• What about Wednesday nights? This will be a bit of a schedule shift
  since I get off work at 9:30, how can I handle this? Work a normal schedule
  on those days and do my homework sporadically and on Saturdays. I will have
  to make homework a daily goal and Sunday the catchup day, Wednesday can no
  longer be the deadline.
  
• Who would have concern about the success of this project? Myself, I
  would feel a great victory if I did this. My work would see a positive change
  right away and welcome it with open arms
  
• What’s the worst idea you can imaging about doing this project?I
  am really tired and irritability at first and it is hard to deal with.
  
• What is the best idea?The new scheduled applies seamlessly and I am
  awake and bright every day, I lose 30 pounds in 3 months.
  
• What would make this project particularly unique?If I maintained periodic
  journal and blog posts about it.
• I can. I KNOW I CAN, I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS OUTCOME
  AND WILL BE ABLE TO ACOMPLISH IT!
  

4. Organizing
Identify components (sub-projects), sequences, and/or priorities.
What needs to happen to make the whole thing happen?
Create outlines, bulleted lists, or organizing charts, as needed for review
and control

Calendar

• Talking to family at brunch on 11/3
  

Related Projects

• Set up Daily Lists
  
  • Daily Exercise
  • Daily Meditation
  • Daily Journal
• Rearrange room so bed is under window. This won’t directly help me
  sleep but making a big change like this always seem to boost my creative
  energy at the beginning of a big project.

Sub Projects

• Get light blocking curtains for bedroom window
• Get new bed frame
  

5. Next Actions
Determine next actions on current independent components. (What should
be done next, and who will do it?)
If more planning is required, determine the next action to get that to happen.

• Calendar - Schedule discussion in brunch notes
  
• @home – Log into gtdagenda.com and set up daily list
  
• add sleep earlier get up later to projects – personal list
  
• add Daily Exercise, Daily mediation, Daily Journal to project notes for Daily
  Checklist project. (Thanks Barb for this idea)
  
• @home – Checkbook – Budget -50 for light blocking curtains
  
• @home – Checkbook – Budget
  -50 for bed frame

I think this will be a very successful project.

Thank God

I am grateful that I completed reviewing my project lists. I am grateful that I am moving forward on some of my goals and am beating this anxiety. I am grateful that I can beat this anxiety and I am grateful that I believe that. I am beating this anxiety right now and I am grateful for it. I am achieving my dreams right now and I am grateful for it. I am thanking God right now and I am grateful for that. I love my lord and I am grateful for everything he does.

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Resistance

I was starting to feel resistance to writing so I am writing right now. Negative self talk sure is a gift. You heard me, I said gift. It helps us to way our values, if it is pushing to not do something then that thing is probably exactly what you should be doing. Praying helps too. My mom always says, if your heart and mind are filled with the Lord, there is no room for negative thoughts left.
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Homane au grautin (sp?)

I just tasted the most amazing thing. A lady I work with let me try her home made lunch. Homane au grautin (sp?). It was cheesy and tasted better then macaroni and cheese or potatoes au gratin. I want the recipe!!!
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Ice cream is good

Sometimes a cup of ice cream is a nice treat
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What, no goldfish?

Just in case you don't understand what they mean by pets. The sign has a picture.
"Oh darn, Kitty we will have to walk you someplace else"
"Meow" of disappointment
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Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan

Servers 4 people
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti- You can use your favorite kind of noodles as well. Rigatoni works really well for this recipe.
1/4 cup olive oil - I know this sounds like a lot but my grandmother used ½ to a whole cup in this recipe. If you are using a thin pasta like Angel hair you may want to use 1/8 cup. If it seems like not enough you can always add more or have olive oil at the table.
4 cloves garlic – I have made this with as much as 9, tastes vary.
2 tbsp dried basil (fresh is also always better if you have it, chop it fine)
2 tbsp parsley flakes (Fresh is better if you have it, chop it fine)
2 tsp ground black pepper
¼ cup grated parmesan – yeah you heard me, ¼ cup or more. Have more available for your guests.
1 Dash of salt.
Directions
Boil pasta until it is Al Dente (firm but not too chewy and never mooshy (That’s mushy said with an Italian accent)), strain water from pasta, and put it in large mixing bowl. Chop the garlic fine and add it, the basil, parsley, pepper, salt, and cheese to the pasta. Pour the olive oil over the top, and mix thoroughly. Taste it and if it is too dry drisel more olive oil over the top and mix again, remember that you can always add more olive oil but you can't take it back so be careful or it will be too greasy. Serve to your guests in shallow pasta bowls.

This is very good served with garlic bread, white wine, and sautéed scallops in white wine sauce.

Earthquake!

We just had an earthquake here. I was watching TV and I heard a rumble followed by a loud sound like thunder and a loud cracking sound. I ran outside. The sound frightened me but the house barely shook. I have never been in an earthquake that was that loud. It lasted about 6 seconds.

(I am completely) (stopping)

Completely styopping; that's rich. What does it mean? Do I phyiscally stop? It could mean to stand completely still and not move a muscle. Could I do that?
Not move.
Not a muscle for even a second? Sure, I could stand still but how long does it take before I scratch an itch, pop a knuckle, etc, etc.
Now what about mental? Can I stop thinking, contemplating, remembering, reasoning an so on?Let's say I calm down the stray thoughts but won't I see images of the word, "stop". Stop signs and traffic lights might come to mind. Heck just the word "completely" conjures images of full glasses and grave stones.
Now the coup de grace, spiritual.
...
I can't reason how to even measure that.

A big question to answer before I can learn how to stop is:
Whar exactly does completly stopping mean?
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Pain = mindfulness

Being that my legs and arms are still screaming in pain from the cross fit workout I did on Thursday I am starting to think about the connection between being in the moment and pain.
Just walking around I have to focus moment by moment not to trip or bump into anyone because I am moving slow.
Is there a connection between centeredness and adversity?

Through a lot of concentrated effort I have been able to stretch out my legs and walk relatively normal now, I hope the pain clears enough for me to go for a short run tomorrow, cardio kickbox on Monday and do the cross fit again on Thursday (yeah I know I am crazy but I really want to beat this workout, it wil put me in great shape if I can eventually work up to being able to finish it.)
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Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm that's not sincere is wasted
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What a waste

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Lost reward

LOL
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Making Meaning

Remember I have meaning, what I do matter's, I matter. What can I do to create meaning today?

Martial arts class attempt #1 - cross fit

All I can say is oooooooooooooow!
I had called the school and he said come at 6:30 PM for a cardio warm up before class. I expected some jumping jacks, some pushups, and crunches.

What I got was a high intensity workout from hell!

1st set 21 standing squats, 21 squat thrusts with a pushup, 15 of both, 9 of both

The 2nd and 3rd sets were the same.

I could barely handle the first set and I almost threw up in the middle of my second.

I didn't finish.

I ate light today. 2 yogurts, a muffin, a bowl of soup, an omelette and a nutrition bar. Not enough carbs, I burned all my glycogen reserves almost right away.

After the "warmup" the martial arts class began, 1 minute of horse stance at the beginning of class. The advanced students broke off from the beginners (me), I then got to meet the professor and talk prices. 119 A MONTH! For 4 classes a week plus cardio, 99 a month for 2 classes with no cardio. This is way too steep for me.

I am interested in the class but my heart lies in traditional study and this is more of a technical self defense class. 119 would have been worth the sacrifice if it was Iaido. Do I have to move to Texas to find what I want?

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Soup is good even without a can of clams

This plain tomatoe bisque is great, It isn't clam clamder but it is great.
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What you get for $1200

My camera has the ability to detect my eye behind the viewfinder. I take a picture and it doesn't show on the display until after I pull the camera away, this is high tech! :)
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What my someday/ maybe review looks like

I am currently reviewing my list and seperating it into incubate categories based on projects I have to do but not this week (incubate-projects), projects I will do someday (incubate-someday), projects I may do but who knows when (incubate-maybe).
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My first gtd post - someday/maybe alternatives

Posting this during the gtdvsg:
How about this for an alternarive someday/maybe list

• Incubate - someday
• Incubate - maybe
• Incubate - projects

Another options is to use Defer instead of incubate.

One of my work areas

We call this the rubber room.
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Easy Faith

I am greatful for a centered moment, I am greatful for chaos, I am greatful for life and the ability to lead it and I am greatful for the Lord's will in my life. I am greatful that the Lord is clearly evident in my life and I am greatful that I can recognize that. I am truly greatful for easy faith.

My camera

This is my Sony Alpha A700. I use it to take the photos posted on http://blog.myspace.com/12hourhalfday. I am greatful for it, it gives me the ability to relax, be creative, and it reminds me that with hard work and patience, great things come whether that is a beautiful photo or a wonderful expensive camera that I saved up for weeks and made lots of sacrifices for. Let's hold onto that reminder in the coming months since I have lots of camera accessories and supplies I aspire to purchase.

Another affirmation

Remember, you cannot fix you, you cannot change you, you can only relay on God and his will. Right now, drop everything and pray, ask for God to show you his will and to help you act it out no matter how terrifying it is and if you are afraid to ask for that ask the lord for the courage to ask for it and the desire to ask for it, pray for the desire to follow the lord's will.

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Clam clamder

Recipe:
Clam chower (any brand, any type)
Clams in water (any brand)

Instructions- drain water from clams and add to bowl of clam chowder before serving. This isn't clam chowder, it's Clam Clamder.
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What i eat at work.

I eat one item every three hours. This helps me keep up decent energy levels.
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What I do produces actions known and unknown

I was just reading Mike Williams Blog and read:

"The dedication to doing your best will produce actions that are known and unknown."

This struck me pretty strongly. I never really thought that my actions cause impact that I will never find out about. This will be a matter of faith I suppose.

Resistance

It's funny how resistance works. If you don't know what resistance is; it is that feeling that talks you out of doing something you truly want to do. It is the negative self talk that convinces you that you can't write, paint, keep clutter under control, or do whatever endeavor you intend to do.
In my case I haven't had much resistance to blogging until a friend of mine told me that they were reading my blog today. It's funny how I didn't resist until my work had value. That must mean I need to blow past resistance and blog anyway and that is what I am doing right now.
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Another place I take breaks

Walking around taking pictures is a new development for me. It is as relaxing as meditating and gives me two great things exercise and an opportunity yo be creative.
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I expect nothing

I am doing the centering exercise in Coaching the Artist Within again and now i am focusing on the second breath.

(I expect) (Nothing)

What does this mean exactly? Expect nothing. I have read Zen kōan's about emptying one's cup and walking into a situation without expectations but how does one do this? Aren't we always going to develop preconceived notions about a situation? I will have to think about this further.

Wrong way

This made me laugh
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Photos are up

Yuck but good for you!

I can't believe what I eat for health purposes.
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Forgot

Ever forgot something at the office and have to double back for it?
I just did that with my camera and made it a few miles away before I realized it.
My thought process
1. I am annoyed, I was on my way to pick up Mom and now I am going to be late, either that or I have to wait till tomorrow before I can edit my current photos
2. Make the best of it. Enjoy the ride and the site of the way back to the office this late in the day that you don't generally get to see.
A lesson too learn here is don't get annoyed, think of it as an opportunity to quiet mental noise and focus on the moment. Who knows what unexpected opportunity this turn of events might bring that woudn't have occured otherwise.
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Way to start

At Mimi's eating benedict (nop ham, sub tomatoe) writing. And I got a ton of photos in this morning. This is what I want my life to be like!
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I AM SOOOO STUCKKKK ON A GOAL SETTING PROJECT! I CAN DO THIS. I CAN DO THIS!

Try looking at it from another perspective, literally.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Try looking at it from another perspective?" I got to thinking about this and wondered, is it possible to do this literaly?

Try picturing what you are doing right now from the perspective of someone watching you. I don't know about you but I find myself instantly correcting my posture, expression, etc.

Photos

I just wanted to share that I feel good that I was able to get out the door on my break and take some pictures after the rain. I will post some pictures on myspace http://blog.myspace.com/12hourhalfday today or tomorrow.

I took several pictures of wet flowers and am very happy with them.

Dualities

Remember, all states are available to you. There is more of a benefit to balance then falling on one pole.

For example:

Quiet and loud - Both are neccessary at different times.

Busy work or projects - There is a time for both.

Reflect or Create - Both are useful depending on the situation.

What do I need today?

I do what is neccessary and best.

I don't ask, do I want to work on busy work or projects?

I ask, What kind of work am I going to do today?

Don't overload on one pole, make a choice.

G.R.A.C.E

I promised I would post about this so here I go. GRACE is a centering method produced by George Leonard, author of the book Mastery.

Here are the steps:

1. GROUND. Imagine your feet and legs extending down deep into the earth, knees neither bent nor locked, connecting with the universe.
   
   
2. RELAX. Breathe deeply and release the tension from every muscle: feel a warming sensation throughout your entire body.
   
   
3. AWARE. Be keenly aware of your surroundings; tune in to sounds, smells and sensations.
   
   
4. CENTER. Place your fingertips about an inch below your navel. Focus your attention and breath on this point to reach a state of calmness.
   
   
5. ENERGIZE. Hold your arms out in front of you and imagine that high-voltage energy is shooting out from your fingertips. Then relax, arms by your sides.
   

This method is a great way to attain some focus and prepare yourself for a more mindful state. I find that when I practice this the world becomes much more vibrant and alive, I find a smile appearing out of nowhere on my face and I think people reacting to me in a much more positive way.