About a year and a half ago I came across this quote by Steve Jobs: "There's an old Hindu saying that comes into my mind occasionally: 'For the first 30 years of your life, you make your habits. For the last 30 years of your life, your habits make you.'"
On the cusp of turning 30, that quote scared me. Although they're not as lofty and ambitious and real as they are now, I had plans for those 30 years and the the 30 years beyond those (I do plan on living till I’m 90), and I didn't want some habit, good or bad, that I acquired in my first 30 years of living to determine how I passed the 60 years of life I had left.
In the year and a half since I've read that, I feel like I've grown in tremendous ways. I wish I could share the account of how all that happened, but so much of it is a story that is still happening, a story quite personal. At this moment I don't know which pieces are complete enough and appropriate to share.
This growth has been both subtle and dramatic, and as I see it though, I realize that for 30 year-old Myke, Steve Jobs' Hindu saying is a load of crap. (I have no problem with it for folks younger than me if it inspires them to create habits that will allow them to get what they want out of life.)
I have three months and some change before I turn 31 on August 24. I plan on using the momentum of the last year and a half to accomplish, do, and create that which I have struggled with in the past. Here are a few examples of what I aim to complete before my 31st birthday:
Lose 45 pounds. That's a lot to lose in a short amount of time. I started counting calories a week ago and I've lost four pounds so far. Most of that came off in the first few days. I don't know how to maintain that momentum (is that even healthy?) but I don’t have to know how to keep trying.
Develop a concept and menu for a pizza restaurant or food truck. I know that I love making pizza and sharing it with others. I would love it if people found my pizza so delicious that they would want to pay me money for it. I don't know if that will translate into owning a restaurant or food truck, and I don’t know if I would even like owning a restaurant or food truck. But if that's what it turns into, and if that's what I want, then I want to be ready.
Travel to Northern California. I've been aching to return to Northern California, specifically Monterey County—Steinbeck country—since my last visit there a couple years ago. I'm finally heading back in July with some friends. Our plans include lunch at the Steinbeck House (John Steinbeck's boyhood home in Salinas), a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a day at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, a hike through Muir Woods, and much more.
Celebrate my birthday. I turned 30 last year but didn't do much to celebrate. Partly because I was traipsing around this fine country of ours for a good part of the month of August and didn't have time to plan anything. Photographic evidence of said traipsing:
Just four best buds, somewhere in South Dakota.
(Photo courtesy of Whit.)
So this year, as I complete my thirty-first year, I plan on celebrating my birthday like I never have before. I have no idea yet what I will do but I have no doubt that I will come up with something fitting.
Three and a half months early, happy birthday, Myke.
Treat yo self! I look forward to seeing the life you want unfold. You're inspiring and I'm grateful to call you a friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bekah! That sentiment is definitely mutual. #TreatYoSelf
DeleteMyke! I'm on a 50 lbs weight loss goal and have lost ~15 so far, just counting calories and eating more quality, whole foods, and majorly curbing meat and soda. Basically adhering to "In Defense of Food" and "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan. (http://michaelpollan.com/books/in-defense-of-food/) - Best and smartest popular food writer around, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteSome advice about keeping momentum.. for me, I hit a 7-8 lbs plateau for a while because I was only adjusting my diet. I was exercising a couple times a week, but honestly not very hard or for super long. But then I started doing exercise 5 days a week in some form, whether jogging, biking, yoga, bodyweight exercises, or even just yardwork. That's when I started losing again.
Another great thing has been the Lose It! iphone app. Get that, or if you have the WiiFit game, or just something to track your progress so you can see it graphed out for you. It's rewarding, and also it's great at shaming you when you get lazy. haha
Good luck! Let's do this, ay?
This is great! I especially love the Pizza concept. I'd love to help any way possible. There better be one pizza with goat cheese, just saying. Also, want to teach me your crust recipe? I've never found one that I like.
ReplyDeleteGood plans, especially your big birthday bash ... That WAS quite an exceptional day!
ReplyDelete