Week 3 Review

MARCH 15 - 21

Week 3 Review:

In productivity circles, there is a specific way to do weekly reviews. I think I first read about it in David Allen's classic "Getting Things Done". It is basically getting clear of all the mental open loops in your head, on your calendar and so forth. In short, it is a methodology for ensuring anything that remotely worries you or forgotten commitments has a place where you know you can be reminded. It also can be a tool to aligning weekly tasks with monthly goals to quarterly objectives and so on. Here is a great overview article on how to do such a weekly review: https://www.todoist.com/productivity-methods/weekly-review

This is not that type of review. This is more an accountability shout out. For me to be brutally honest about what I did or did not get done -- and are these goals still in play or do I need to jettison one for another (which I did on one).

Physical Goals

I basically have been at a plateau in lifting. Went back and read Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 book from Amazon (https://a.co/d/995ttFV). It struck me I have not been very good about doing the 'assistance' work to help on the big 4 lifts: bench, squat, deadlift, military press. So, now I am going to work in 50 reps for each assisted exercise after doing the big lift during each work out. So, after deadlifts -- 50 reps on hamstring curls, 50 lunges, 50 ab crunches, as an example. Each rep to be done with light weight but in a controlled, explosive manner.

For running, logged 12 miles this week. Four straight days at 3 miles on the trails. It kind of sucked today, the last day, given the hamstring reps (see above) and the hills on the trails, but the time is getting a little faster. I have 5 months to get bring my 3 mile time down pretty significantly, so hopefully progress will be made in April. Next week we will probably vary it up with some speed work and distance. Recent post on running here: When Do You Actually Start to Like Running?

Continue to say NO to sweets of any kind, but this does not mean I am not getting sugar in some places. I did eat a bit more carbs this week, as I felt pretty weak last week in the gym lifting. Definitely getting leaner but still weighing ~ 200 to 205 at 5'10". Not consistent in making the green smoothie each day, as I am hitting 84 oz already with water, coffee and protein shakes.

Spiritual:

Deep into 2 Corinthians. Today, the wonderful chapter (Chapter 8) on giving during affliction and out of the overflow of joy - enabled by the grace of God. That Christ was rich but became poor so that we could become rich (and not in the material sense).

I did miss a day of focused prayer, as my routine was upended. Normally, the first thing I do when I wake up is go upstairs and pray and read the Word. But this past week, Jacob is doing the driving portion of driver's ed and he had to be at school every day at 6:15. My system was adjusted, and to paraphrase James Clear and his book 'Atomic Habits' - 'we don't rise to the level of our habits but fall to the level of our systems'. To recount specifically what I did for others sounds self-serving and generally icky, so I will just say it is something I continue to pursue.

Family:

Last Sunday, I surprised my wife Jennifer with a concert of her favorite local band: The surprise concert was ... a surprise. She was thrilled with that!

My son Grayson, who has been struggling with some alcohol and weed and other, came by after work asking for some help with that. He realizes he is not going anywhere. Perhaps the single biggest reason I left work was to be home for times like this. I needed to have availability when it was required. So, we brought him back home and will do our best to help him avoid the poison while pouring positive things into his life. We won't be able to control his impulses, but can help him avoid acting on those impulses. This is what we are trying to do and will take any prayers from anywhere!

Learning:

Guitar -- practicing the Stray Cats stuff. But grading myself no better than a C on the effort this week.

AI -- Definitely an A grade. See recent blog post: Oh, the Places You Will Go ... with AI

Prepping for emergencies was replaced with experiences. I was not excited or moved by the goal of prepping. I do have food for 1 month and water, both tucked away but I am not there on power backups and so on. I will work toward this but not as part of my sprint. Instead, I am shooting to plan for some family experiences together (positive ones!). Mainly travel and human interaction.

Geeking:

Bought Marvel Champions and excited to play it. Not much else on boardgames this week.

2nd Place in Trivia with post here: Team Triv Takes 2nd Place. The usual tripping hazards in pop culture

Books. Confession here .... Jacob asked to re-subscribe to Disney +, as I cancelled it sometime back. Got it back and I have been catching up on the Mandalorian series at night when I should be reading!

Last, whether I am making great progress or little progress, it is the journey and I am loving the journey right now.

AV