It's been a while since I've posted on here, and it's been even longer since I've accomplished something from the challenge list. I've been absolutely swamped with work and training for a half-marathon (and possibly full marathon.) But just for kicks, here's a summary of erverything I haven't done.
Day 18: Find Your N.U.T.s
N.U.T.s are your Non-negotiable, Unalterable Terms. N.U.T.s are the things you’re committed to, the things that matter more than anything else: your kids, your career, your primary relationships, yourself, your purpose, your spiritual practice, your hobbies, your integrity, your morals and your psychological well-being.
N.U.T.s are the boundaries that define you as man, those things which, if repeatedly compromised, will gradually—but assuredly—turn you into a pissed-off, resentful man who will likely blame others—especially your wife—for your unhappiness.
[...]
Some men find their N.U.T.s over time, while others sit down and make a list. Either way, here are some of the questions you’ll want to ask yourself:
- What’s most important to me in life?
- Are there activities I used to do for fun that I no longer do? Is someone interfering and am I resentful because of it?
- Are there valuable friendships with men I’ve let slip away?
- Where am I currently having problems (unhappy, frustrated, sad, angry, resentful) in my life, and did compromising myself—and what’s important to me—contribute to my feelings and/or the situation?
- What dreams have I abandoned?
- If I’m going to be the man I want to be, what will I have to do differently?
This is a bit more complicated than it sounds...I have some ideas, but it's going to take a while to get a solid list.
Day 19: Schedule a Physical Exam
The manly man is a healthy man. So today’s task is to call your doctor and schedule an appointment for a full physical.
I actually cancelled two doctors' appointments earlier this month. Not because I don't think I need them, but because the doctors were kind of terrible. So not only do I need to schedule a physical, but now I need to find a new GP and schedule a physical...It's on the "to do" list.
Day 20: Perform Service
Today’s task: Commit to do some service. You obviously don’t have to do the service in the next 24 hours. Your task is simply to find a project or opportunity you’d like to volunteer for and sign up if you can.
I will sign up to volunteer for some service this week.
Day 21: Write Your Own Eulogy
Today’s task: Write you own eulogy. Confront your mortality and really give some thought about how you want to be remembered. You don’t have to follow the guidelines or example given here. Be as creative as you want.
Haven't started on this one yet...
Day 22: Improve Your Posture
I've been trying to improve my posture for the past few days now, but it's really hard to realize when you're slumping down or slouching over. I may have to find some string and try that button-to-belt trick listed at the bottom of the TAoM post.
Day 23: Learn a Manual Skill
Today, you are going to pick a manual skill you’ve always wanted to learn, and take the first steps towards mastering it [...] Obviously, you can’t learn these skills in a single day. This task simply requires that you take a least one step towards learning a new manual skill.
After 5 months of arduous training on my bicycle, I've picked up enough knowledge to be able to repair the basics while on the road. As a kid, I used to take apart and reassemble bicycles all the time, but never really knew exactly how things worked. To get a bit more of a technical understanding of how everything works (and breaks) I signed up for a free class on bicycle maintenance through my company. There are also clinics at Performance Bicycle every week or so which I may also stop by.
Day 24: Play!
Manning up doesn’t mean turning into a robotic stiff. You should also maintain some of your boyish spirit. You need to make room in your life for things that you don’t have to do, but that you simply do because it gives you pleasure. So today you have to spend at least 30 minutes in pure play.
Dodgeball!
Day 25: Start a Debt Reduction Plan
We’re not going to pay off our debt overnight, but we can at least get started. Today’s task is to sit down and establish a debt reduction plan
Got no debt? Don't need no plan.
Day 26: Take the Marine Corps Fitness Test
Take an hour after work today and do the Marine Corps Fitness Test. No matter what kind of shape you’re in, it will help you know how fit you are, give you a benchmark to base future progression and regression on, and grant you either some motivation to improve or a sense of satisfaction that you’re ready for action.
Somehow, I was convinced that it would be a good idea to wake up Sunday morning and run 8 miles at 6 AM. Thankfully, the run got delayed until about 7AM, but I was still a bit tired. So, the Marine Corps Fitness will be done tomorrow. I'm fairly confident that I'll be able to score in the high 200s.
Day 27: Start a Book
I'll restart Hunter Thompson's Hell's Angels
Day 28: Write a Love Letter
When the time comes, maybe I'll revisit this one.
Day 29: Conquer a Fear
I'm terrified of birds. Anybody have a pet parrot? If I can let a bird sit on my shoulder, I'd consider that a very large step.
Day 30: Get a Straight Razor Shave
After I get a massage, I will pamper myself with a straight razor shave.
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