Achieving a Perfect Month: Exercise and Writing

I'm thrilled to share that June 2024 was a perfect month for me in terms of exercise and newsletter writing! I hit my daily move goals every single day and maintained a consistent writing streak for our LIF newsletter. However, my mindfulness practice still needs some work, but more on that later. Here are the three key strategies that helped me achieve this milestone:

1. Seeds from the Past

The foundation of my perfect month was laid long before June began. I had achieved a similar feat in November of 2022, largely driven by the motivation of having purchased a brand new apple watch. However, it took me until June of 2024 to repeat another perfect month. Nonetheless, our brains are predictive machines based on historical data. And having achieved a perfect month once meant that I always knew I could do it again. Another aspect from the past that helped me in June was simply consistency. Consistent efforts over the past months, slowly building up my stamina and discipline, played a crucial role. I have written about TOM (Triple One Method) in more detail in the LinkedIn post here. Reflecting on past achievements and using them as motivation helped me stay on track. Remember, the small efforts you put in today will yield results tomorrow. I have achieved a perfect first week in July. It remains to be seen if I can repeat the perfect month in July.

2. Behaviour Driven

Understanding the drivers behind my actions was pivotal. By analyzing my behavior patterns, I identified the triggers that motivated me to exercise and write. I made these activities more appealing by associating them with positive outcomes. For instance, the beautiful three ring visualization on the activity tracker provided the daily satisfaction of completing a workout or the joy of publishing a well-received newsletter kept me motivated.

3. Power of Routine - Same Place, Same Time

Creating a routine was perhaps the most effective strategy. I designated specific times and places for my workouts and writing sessions. This consistency turned these activities into habits, reducing the mental effort required to get started each day. I started each morning with exercise. And then used that mental boost after the exercise to sit down and write. The power of routine cannot be overstated—it simplifies decision-making and fosters discipline.

Reflecting on Mindfulness

While I excelled in exercise and writing, my mindfulness practice didn't reach the same level. Despite logging mindful minutes on 15 days in the past four weeks, I wasn't as consistent. This is a reminder that there's always room for improvement. Moving forward, I'll be focusing on integrating mindfulness more seamlessly into my daily routine.

In conclusion, the journey to a perfect month is a blend of past efforts, understanding behavioral drivers, and establishing a consistent routine. I encourage you to reflect on your own routines and find ways to make your goals more achievable. Let's continue to support each other in our journeys toward inner freedom and personal growth.

Stay motivated and keep striving for excellence!

Warm regards,
Vikram Mahabaleshwar