When I started doing the One Post a Day project for the month of August I really wasn’t sure what would come of it. I made a couple little challenges in it to see if anyone wanted to join in and a few takers emerged. While it has been relatively difficult to keep the pace up, I’ve been able to figure it out. There has been a few very surprising things that have emerged from it.
First of all, I am taking a few more minutes everyday to think in a little more structured way. Typically my head is filled with swirling thoughts that have some structure, but not enough to really put my arms around. I find myself grabbing at those thoughts as thread starters of sorts and working to organize them into a story that I can write about. I am calling it a story, because I am working to structure the ideas in a way that I can expose them in short bursts without a ton of build up, explanation, or long term depth. I am thinking hard about how to write to the point and use examples to expose the concept I am working towards.
Another thing I am finding is that I am taking more time to comment elsewhere on other peoples’ posts. With more fresh content everyday I am working to read things and reflect on their thoughts as well. I have been trying to comment on at least one of my colleague’s post a day, but have found myself doing more than that. An added bonus is that I discovering more people through the enhanced blogging that is going on.
Finally, and this is the strangest thing I have noticed, I am more interested in getting exercise and physical activity. I’m not sure where that is coming from, but I think having my head a little clearer has given me the space to remember that I used to love to be very active. I’ve started playing tennis again and just added a second weekly match … my game is still coming into shape, but it feels great to be dead tired after a couple of sets. The coolest thing for me, given my long time love of biking, is that I have finally started to ride my bike to work. A lot of people give me shit about my Cafe Racer, but it is exactly what I wanted when I decided I needed something that was more street friendly. I actually bought it last summer and rode it to work exactly once. I’ve tripled that in the last three days and can’t say enough about how much more focused and (dare I say it) happy I feel at work. Not sure what is going on but I have exercised in one way or another everyday for the past seven days … not great for most, but with my recent track record, it is great.
So the One a Day challenge has had some surprising side effects … I think I need to consider what to tackle in September to keep it going.
First off, I love the bike. Quell retro! Second, I can totally identify with the feeling of getting back in touch with being outside, on the road, doing something that feels great and tires you out. I’m impressed that you’ve actually rode into work; these must not be “suit days” or, if they are, that’s an even BETTER mental image. 😉 I’ve been riding my bike more as well–not to work, as I hate tackling Orchard Road and then not having shower facilities–but we’ve been exploring the bike paths around the area and then (geek that I am) I am tracking my progress on mapmyride.com. Taking time to disengage from the digital and engage in the physical gives me perspective and allows me to clear my head, actually. My body and my thoughts are happy to be active on other things, and when I come back, I’m able to be much more focused and productive. I find it interesting that you attribute this new development to your One Post a Day effort but, whatever the case, I do give you props for getting the endorphins flying. Physical rewards, environmentally friendly, and a snazzy bike to book. You are the trendsetter, Cole. But I think you need a bell too. Just sayin., 😉
Cole, I’ve noticed similar things. Since I started blogging regularly, I am mentally much more centered and focused. I believe that there are some spill overs from bloggin into other areas.
Jim
I think it truly *does* make you focus. We all know how easy it is to lose our focus with all that we have going on around us on a daily basis, but being forced to stop and think is a really good thing. I think it *does* carry over into other aspects of your life, too. I find myself striving to unclutter my home and make sure things are where they belong.. in short, being even MORE obsessive than normal.
Woohoo! way to go Cole! anything that gets a person thinking more, and riding more, has to be a good thing. And don’t let anyone give you grief over the bike. Looks like a sweet ride.
I find that I do some of my best thinking on the bike – the unfortunate thing is that there’s no keyboard or paper handy while riding, but that might actually be a good thing because I’m free to think without being compelled to write.
First, I understand the swirling thoughts completely. It’s why I called my personal site “parked thoughts” so I would have somewhere to put them.
Second, writing helps me to take what I’m doing and see it as part of the big picture. I’m really glad that I’m doing the post-a-day challenge and I’ve been thinking about what happens when September starts. Do I just keep blogging on a daily basis? I don’t want to let it slip and start blogging at my old rate.
Third, I’m glad to see you on your bike. I’m much happier and healthier since I started running again and I’ve been doing a lot of cross-training lately. I’ve been using a bike machine at the gym (with a simulated race course, hills, other cyclists, etc…) and it’s pretty cool. I listen to a podcast called “Zen and the Art of Triathlon”, which you might enjoy.
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Cole:
My experience is: with discipline comes discipline. The more you write the more organized your thoughts become. That is why we are always working on writing in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts.
The same goes with physical activity and exercise: the more you do it the more organized and the stronger your body becomes. The Greeks already knew this years ago, gymnastics was always a core part of their program of education.
So keep up the good work on both fronts. Your posts provide fuel for the mind and your riding saves fuel for the planet.
Chris, believe it or not but I was inspired by you when I first read your post about getting years back and then by running into you writing your book at Irving’s several weeks ago. It appeared as though you were in a better place even though you were in the midst of cranking on your book! So, thanks for the inspiration and I will do my best to keep my end of the bargain.