One, I’ll write about later.

The other is that I have a had a habit stretching back to when I was a little kid: I always wrote my outline last. I always wanted to blurt every thought that I had in my head onto the page without regard to cohesion or efficiency. The result was that I would have a horrible time starting. And once I did, I had an even worse time stopping! I would flit in between nearly-related ideas, trying to fit them in somehow, and then have multiple drafts.. agitated that I couldn’t seem to come in under the max word/page count. Then, and only then, would I begin on my outline.

I found that, because this made my outline very precise, I never lost points for it. And as all I was doing was trying to get a good grade, I was never properly prompted to learn this essential skill.

Now, in adult life, I find that I have tried to do the same thing. Busy-work myself to death, stop, try to make some goals that are based on what I am already doing, get frustrated, and head right back into busy-work.

So, I’ve dropped almost everything in loo of making goals. And not just that! I’m writing an outline of *questions* first, before I start answering them.

That’s how my brain works. I’ve discovered this and I’m going with it. I am an idea generator, and the only reason why I wouldn’t write the outline first is because I wasn’t asking myself the correct questions first in order to get good answers.

Here’s my idea. I will start with the highest levels of the chart below (Principles), and write them all out. Only then will I write the next level, and so on…

I. Principle
–A. Description of Principle
–B. Ways I could apply this principle
——1. Answer
———a. Benefits
———b. Challenges
—–2. Answer… (and so on)
–C. Action List

And then.. I can take everything from all the “C”s and create a master action list!

So.. I’m off to do that, and then.. go watch Watchmen!

Working out heavily again, created a daily check list, and am listening to audios daily. Created a morning and night-time “ritual” list. Put count up and count down on calendar.

Mind-stormed a list of 100 ways to make money. The last 20 or so broke down to pure principle-level actions, and it was a fantastic break-through.

More coming soon.

NOTE
Recipe sites for increased protein:
BodyBuilding.com – pancakes, ice cream, etc
Honey Oatmeal Chocolate Protein Bars
21 Foods for Athletes to Mix With Protein Powder

Protein (increase by 25 grams): Yes
Vegetable (increase by 2): No
Vitamins: No
Limit 32oz caffeine: Yes

2 Rounds:
- Samson Stretches (one each side)
- 10 squats
- 10 push-ups
- 10 superman back-extensions
- 10 sit-ups (full)

7 Rounds:
7 pull-ups
7 burpees
7 knees-to-elbows
7 bar dips
7 sit-ups
7 push-ups
7 jumping squats

Stretch: Yes

Protein (increase by 25 grams): Yes
Vegetable (increase by 2): No
Vitamins: Yes
Limit 32oz caffeine: Yes

An upset from an internal cabinet member today set off a chain of events that, only a week or two ago, might have thrown the state of this system into a chaos and chrisis. An amazing job by Mary today in calming emotions and putting the new courageousness into practice!