How Have I Been Doing? Am I Making Any Real Changes?

As I mentioned a post or two ago, I’ve been having a few issues (behind the scenes) with the 99 Changes website.  Those issues have been dealt with, and I thought it would be a great time to check in, and see just how much progress I’ve made - and where I’ve been struggling.

Change 1 - Giving Up Sodas - I started out strong, backslid just a bit, and then just completely gave them up.  I can’t remember the last soda I had, and I can’t say that I miss them!  Grade: A+

Change 2 - Walking 45 Minutes - I’ve modified this change, just a bit, to fit within my new workout plan.  Basically, I’m walking and using the eliptical machine, at least 5 days a week.  Grade: N/A

Change 3 - Keep Kitchen Counter Clutter Free - This one has been a struggle.  My wife keeps the house spotless, and there are only so many places where I can actually put things like bills, newspapers, and magazines.  Let’s just say, I’m doing a pretty good job of keep thing counter clutter free - pretty good, not great.  Grade: C

Change 4 - Listen To And Learn Names - I still stink at remembering names, but I have taken to asking people for business cards or contact information.  This helps me match a name to a face.  Grade: B

Change 5 - Giving Up Candy - I’m just not interested in eating junk food.  Frankly, this one has been easy, especially for the past month or so, as I’ve really focused on healthy foods.  Grade: A

Change 6 - Organize Email - This one took a while, but now I have a handle on it.  I forwarded all personal accounts to one gmail account, and all business email to another.  Now, I check two addresses a day and I’m done.  Grade: A

Change 7 - Organize Closets - This might be my favorite change.  My closets look fantastic.  There’s nothing on the floor, casual clothes are in one closet, dress clothes in another.  Perfect.  Grade: A+

Change 8 - Perform Stretch Routine - I’ve been stretching, before and after my workouts, but I’m still not stretching enough.  I need to work on this one.  Grade: C+

Change 9 - Use Getting Things Done System - I like the system, I use it, and you should too.  Grade: A

Change 10 - Be Early - Frankly, now that I’m working out and feeling better, I’m also doing a much better job of managing my time.  Funny how so much changes when you eat well and get some exercise.  Who knew?  Grade: A

Change 11 - Delegate - Thankfully, several people who work with me stepped up and took some of the stuff that I was dealing with out of my hands.  Things are running smoothly, and this makes me a happy dude.  Grade: B

Change 12 - Organize Photos - I have backed up all of our digital photos.  Grade: A

Change 13 - Memorize Ephesians - This is harder than I thought it would be.  I’ve managed to memorize the first chapter, but I can’t help but feel that I should be better at this!  Grade: C

Change 14 - Remove Clutter From Trunk - I did, then it just filled up again.  I practically live out of my car, and there isn’t a real convenient place to put my golf clubs in the house.  Tomorrow morning, I’ll clean it out again.  I promise.  Grade: D

Change 15 - Go To Gym Four Times A Week - Yes, yes, yes, I am doing this!  And, it’s probably a reason that so many of the other things on this list have gotten easier.  I feel better - I do more!  Grade: A

Change 16 - Update Social Networking Profiles - I did this, but then I kinda fell off of the face of the social networking scene.  I need to revisit my efforts.  Grade: B-

Change 17 - Backup Home Videos - I have backed up all of our home videos.  Grade: A

Change 18 - Find Time To Read - I’ve been reading more than I was, but I’m still not reading as often as I’d like.  Monday, if I can find an hour or so, I’m going to head to the library and find a good book.  Grade: C-

Change 19 - Take Vitamins - Why did I wait so long to do this?  It takes like ten seconds to take a vitamin.  Is it doing me any good?  I have no idea, but it feels right to be taking them.  Grade: A+

Overall, I think I’m doing a pretty good job improving my life (and hopefully myself).  It feels good to make changes, even small ones.  I want to thank those of you who have subscribed to 99 Changes.  You guys keep me motivated!  Rock on!

Back From Camp With Updates (Changes 1-11)

I’m back!  I was at church camp last week - In fact, I was the camp director!  With more than 130 kids and more than 30 counselors to keep up with, I was busy, busy, buys, and now I’m tired, tired, tired.  But, it’s past-the-time for updates, so I thought I’d let you know how I’m doing.  (Be forewarned, it ain’t all pretty…)

Change 1 - Giving Up Sodas - Up until last week, I was doing amazingly well.  But, I must admit, the stress of the camp took it’s toll on me - and I’ve been drinking a little diet Coke.  I’ve only had a can or so a day, but that’s more than I really want to drink.  So, tomorrow, I’m back to all water.

Grade:  D+

Change 2 - Walking 45 Minutes - I’ve been at camp.  I walked everywhere I went, except for when I was zooming about in the golf cart.

Grade:  A

Change 3 - Keep Kitchen Counter Clutter Free - This one is kinda strange.  I’ve cleaned off the kitchen counter, but then we purchased a new wireless printer, and it’s sitting on the kitchen counter.  My wife approves, so I’ll consider this change to be “completed” and “closed”.

Grade:  A

Change 4 - Listen To And Learn Names - I’m proud of myself.  I’ve been doing a much better job of listening to people when they introduce themselves, and I’ve actually managed to remember several names.

Grade:  B +

Change 5 - Giving Up Candy - This one is a mixed-bag.  I’ve only purchased a couple of candy bars at the convenience store, but I’ve fallen in love with wheat thins crackers.  I need to completely rid myself of the candy bars, and radically reduce the number of wheat thins.  (Again, the stress of camp had a lot to do with my renewed desire for junk food.  Hopefully, now that life is back to normal, I’ll give the stuff up for good!)

Grade:  C-

Change 6 - Organize Email -  I must say, this one was pretty easy.  I simply forwarded four email accounts into one, created two address books - one for personal, the other for business - and deleted old and unnecessary emails from my Inbox.  Now, my email is organized and simple to manage.

Grade:  A+

Change 7 - Organize Closets - Again, this one was easy, too.  I simply got rid of some old clothes, bought a few hangers, put things where they needed to be, and in less than an hour, I was done.  Now, it’s just a matter of maintaining.  No big deal, really.

Grade:  A+

Change 8 - Perform Stretch Routine - Frank admission.  I have failed miserably trying to make this change.  I did the stretches once or twice, and then I got so busy, I stopped doing them.  (Notice a trend?  The non-physical stuff is easy for me, the physical stuff, not so much…)

Grade:  F-  (I’d give myself a ‘G’ if there was such a grade…)

Change 9 - Use GTD -  My schedule for the summer was already fixed, so I’m looking forward to implementing GTD once school starts.  Consider this change to be “on hold”.

Grade:  N/A

Change 10 - Be Early - Yes, yes, yes.  I have managed to be early for all of my recent appointments.  This feels so much better than constantly being late.  Rock on!

Grade:  A+

Change 11 - Delegate - I’ve managed to divest myself of a few responsibilities, but I still have a ways to go.  Hopefully, as I move forward, this one will get easier - but for now, it’s still very, very tough for me to ask for help.

Grade:  C

Side Note:  For those interested, I’ve made some pretty massive cosmetic changes to my main site, No Credit Needed.  Check them out and let me know what you think!

Week 3 Updates - Changes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Change 1 - Giving Up Sodas

I gave up sodas three weeks ago.  Since then, I have completely avoided all colas and I’ve even managed to avoid other caffeinated beverages.  I have been drinking water.

For Change 1, I give myself an A+

Change 2 - Walking 45 Minutes

I decided to walk 45 minutes, every day.  So far, I’ve managed to walk 45 minutes every-other-day, so I haven’t quite reached my goal.  However, I have been working on my cardio while playing golf and playing outside with the kids.

For Change 2, I give myself a C

Change 3 - Keep Kitchen Counter Clutter Free

I decided to remove the clutter from our kitchen counter.  So far, most of the clutter has been dealt with, but my wife and I have found that we need some place for new magazines, letters, and cards.  Instead of a completely cleared space, my goal is to keep the counter free of any unneccessary items.  My wife is happy with the counter, and that has to count for something!

For Change 3, I give myself a B+

Change 4 - Listen To And Learn Names

I decided to become a better listener - and do my best to remember names.  So far, this is the most difficult change to ‘test’.  I have been paying closer attention, but I haven’t really met that many new people1

For Change 4, I give myself an ‘Incomplete’

Change 5 - Giving Up Candy

I gave up candy.  I no longer eat sweets, chips, candy bars, or sugary snacks.  Amazingly, this change has been relatively easy to make.  I simply decided not to waste my money on junk food.  I miss it a little - but no that much.  Strange.

For Change 5, I give myself an A

Change 6 - Organize Email

I decided to take control of my email.  I’ve managed to sort through hundreds of old emails, rework my address books, and consolidate a couple of accounts.  But, I still have much more work to do before I’ll feel ‘on top’ of the email situation.  But, I feel much better today than I did last week.

For Change 6, I give myself a B-

Change 7 - Organize Closets

I decided to clean out and organize my closets.  Surprisingly, it only took about thirty minutes to do the initial ‘clean sweep’ of both closets.  I got rid of several old shirts and pairs of pants and then I threw away some old magazines that were cluttering my closet shelves.  Right now, both closets look great and I can actually find what I’m looking for, when it’s time to get dressed.  Progress!

For Change 7, I give myself a B+

I feel great about the changes I’m making - and the response to the 99 Changes Project. To keep up with me and my progress, subscribe to the 99 Changes. You can subscribe to 99 Changes 99 Changes by Email or via the RSS Feed.  So far, several hundred folks have already subscribed, and dozens have left comments or sent me email.  I want to thank all of you for your encouragement and I hope you’ll stick around as I move towards my ultimate goal - 99 Changes!