Navigating Life’s Continuum

Hi there! Valentine's Day has recently gone by, and I hope those who celebrated had a great time, while those who didn't, still found joy on a Wednesday evening. Today, I'd like to delve into how our perspective on habits greatly influences our ability to establish them effectively, but first..

Weekly Inventory Check

As we start the third week of February, let's keep thinking about what happened in January and if it matches what we want now. Picture what you want to achieve this month and how it fits with your goals for the whole year. Take small steps towards these goals, focusing on making steady progress. Think about what you want to do and stay determined to reach your goals in the long run.

Navigating Life’s Continuum

The concept of life is a continuum, yet to comprehend it effectively, we must partition it into manageable segments; otherwise, it becomes overwhelmingly abstract. Essentially, life stretches indefinitely for us humans, spanning decades such as 80 or 90 years, which may seem extensive. When planning for retirement, health, or long-term goals, the prospect of benefiting our future selves often struggles against immediate desires like indulging in pizza or procrastinating exercise. It's challenging to convince ourselves to prioritize long-term benefits over short-term gratification. Sometimes, we might even procrastinate saving money, assuming our future selves will manage. This reluctance stems from our inherent bias towards short-term thinking, driven by survival instincts rather than long-term planning.

A friend of mine shared a story on our podcast that underscores the idea of life being a continuous journey. He emphasized that any habits we wish to cultivate must seamlessly integrate into our lives until they become ingrained behaviors. From his perspective, habits shouldn't be viewed as goals to achieve but rather as intrinsic components of our existence. While I agree with this principle in theory, I also recognize the value of setting tangible milestones and celebrating achievements along the way.

This is where the concept of agility comes into play. Agile methodologies emphasize real-time planning and adaptability. Rather than fixating on distant objectives, the focus is on taking incremental steps towards desired outcomes. Regular reviews, or iterations, allow for reflection and refinement of strategies. By breaking down progress into manageable intervals, we gain a sense of accomplishment that fuels motivation.

Indeed, psychological biases, such as our inclination towards maintaining streaks or tracking progress, play a significant role in sustaining momentum. Apps like Duolingo or Snapchat capitalize on this by incorporating features that reinforce positive behaviors. While William might argue for the merits of a continuous approach, I believe that periodic reassessment and adjustment are essential for staying on track.

As the saying goes, "It's not about avoiding failure but rather how quickly you recover from it." Setbacks are inevitable on the path to success. In my experience, documenting progress and conducting retrospectives help identify areas for improvement and inform future iterations. For instance, after my daughter was born, my meticulously crafted routine fell apart. Now, as I strive to regain that discipline, I'm reminded of the importance of starting small and gradually building momentum.

Want More?

This article discusses how we can build new healthy habits just by starting small. 

Read this article where the author does a very balanced comparison between goals and habits.

This article might help you decide as to which approach is better in terms of stickiness of new habits - consistency or progression.

Reel of the Week

Check out our reel of the week. In the journey to lose weight, an agile approach is like having a personal coach by your side. You set small, achievable goals, iterate on your strategies, and adapt as needed. It's not just about losing weight; it's about gaining control over your health and fitness.

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The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our episode on Why Math is becoming slowly the most dreaded subject in USA? is out now! You can watch it below! This Friday, Heidi, our math-savvy tutor, and I, dived into the challenges parents face these days. Kids are questioning the whole math thing, wondering why it matters in real life. We're talking about modern parenting styles that unintentionally make math seem like a headache. Parents, in their quest to make life easier for their little ones, sometimes end up undermining the importance of math, inadvertently pushing kids back into their comfort zones. It's all about acing exams nowadays, but we're missing the boat on creating an environment where kids understand and think creatively about every subject. The race for top grades is overshadowing the joy of learning. It's time for parents to hit pause, take stock, and maybe shake up their parenting playbook a bit. Tune in for some insights and a sprinkle of wisdom!

We are also on Spotify, Apple, Google, and wherever you listen!

The Meet up

Our upcoming meet up is scheduled for March. I will share the details and registration link soon.

Thoughts to Leave You With

While I don't dispute my friend's perspective, I recognize that individuals vary in their level of self-discipline and need for external accountability. For those like myself who benefit from structure and guidance, agile methodologies offer a practical framework for achieving long-term goals. Ultimately, whether we adopt a continuous or iterative approach, what matters most is the willingness to adapt and persist in pursuit of personal growth.