10,000 Steps

This used to be the guideline amount that was required and prescribed for each of us but now that target has shrunk, much like the British economy.

The new guideline is for 5,000 per day, yet as I have spent more than 200 days attacking 10,000, I shall be continuing in this manner for the foreseeable future.

A New Year Resolution

At the start of the year, I challenged myself to get 10,000 steps per day.

To reach this target I have been required to get creative with my days. From walking up and down the house endlessly to taking breaks at strategic times in the office, which has been laborious at times, but I have to say that I feel proud of myself.

People may consider this obsessive and in many ways it is but it is also habit-building. At the end of the year when all is said and done, I can transfer this habit to another, much as I did last year.

In 2022 I challenged myself to write every day, in addition to learning French every day. Whilst I was not successful with the French, I did get mightily close and believe my honeymoon was and still is a good excuse.

Once I have finished this year I will never attempt it again as there are days when you really do just want to lie on the sofa but cannot. It is lazy but as human beings with busy lives, we deserve this at times.

The Motivation

There have been many days when I simply didn't have the desire such as today when I am walking around my wife's sister's house to get my final steps for the day, which is a struggle, given that it is my first week back into the workplace.

The Motivation then comes from the habit that has been engrained from years of New Year resolutions. It makes the transition easier, with regards to switching over to something else each and every year, to ensure this embedded level of resilience is available from the start, to get me through these moments of apathy.

If this post sounds moany, then it is not meant to, as the habits have helped me learn French every day, walk 10,000 steps and write every day. Now, when I don't write as was the case last year, I miss it as I added to write something every day, which was not as motivating as putting an amount and daily challenge on the resolution.

The Motivation will come in useful for my future life and having children, where I cannot be bothered to get up but know that I need to as my children are crying, something that is maybe more accurate for even if we get a dog, but nevertheless, still accurate. The Motivation to override and keep going is what breeds success.

The Power of Habit

This book and a highly motivated friend have set me on this path and whilst I have missed parts such as writing a book, I do have the motivation to be successful and be the man that my family deserves. All I need now is to tackle my mountain of debt next year and life will be amazing, which is where my 2024 resolutions will lie I think. Rather than getting deeper in, make a plan and tackle with it for once.

I have the necessary motivation and what I need now is to focus on the problem. I have had my fun and now I need to take the lessons learned over the last few years to make the ultimate shift in habit. From spending first and asking questions later to being there for those who depend on me, as I need to be sensible with what I spend and when I spend it.

The ultimate push for all of this is if my wife and I make the move towards parenthood next year, we will need to have savings behind us in order to buy things for our child. Family will help, yes, but we should not make this move without being financially sensible ourselves. This is where my resolutions must take me in 2024 or forever leave me behind.

A Final Thought

I have no intention of ever repeating this exercise as it is at times annoying and at the best times, motivating for the consideration that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to. I can transcend my insecurities and by doing something every day, build up a habit.

I have been looking at habits since 2021 and now have a form base, ready to tackle my biggest challenge in 2024 and that is to save money ready to start a family with my wife. I know that I have a well-paying job and can do it but the serious risk is of failure. If I am let go at any point then these payments could be crippling.

I need to get a grip on my situation but how do you do that after so many years? You utilise the power of Habit of course.