Statistically speaking, more than likely, when (if?) you went to the gym this morning, the parking lot was probably a little emptier, you’ve had that tub of ice cream, or are already behind on some other resolution you set at the beginning of the year. As nice as it is that you can now get your favorite bench for International Chest Day (a.k.a. Monday) you’re probably pretty frustrated with yourself at this moment.
Let yourself off the hook… and move forward…
I’ve never been a fan of new year’s resolutions; what I am a big fan of is continuous improvement and building systems that move you towards your goals and who you want to be. When people ask me how to do that, one of the first tips I give them is to find that slack time in their schedule and find some small habit to implement.
For me, from a personal improvement standpoint, my favorite slack time to take advantage of is that few minutes while my laptop is starting up in the morning. My coffee is always ready before I sit down so it truly is slack time. I always keep some business or personal improvement book on my desk and read a chapter as I’m waiting for my laptop to log in and my autostart applications (you are automatically starting the applications you use every day aren’t you?).
As I mentioned above, they’re usually business or personal improvement books, however, I would recommend you start with either Tools of Titans or Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss. Why do I recommend you start with one of these two books? Because they’re MASSIVE! Tools of Titans is 736 9″ x 7″ pages and Tribe of Mentors is 624 9″ x 7″ pages, these things are tomes. I want to teach you a lesson. A lot of people I talk to tell me they don’t have time to read when in reality they have plenty of time to read and by taking it in small bite-sized chunks anyone can get through these extremely large books, it may take you a year to get through one but, if you can get through one of these suckers those tiny little business parable books you have on your shelf will be nothing.