I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 1, no social media. For over 180 days, I deleted all of my social media accounts. The result? What was once a daily habit (checking social media to pass the time) was squashed and new habits began to take its place. Now I listen to podcasts, try to read one book a week, and workout daily. Moreover, when I am bored I no longer have the urge to type in “www.fa…” to my browser.
<August 30, 2017 - March 8, 2018>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 2, workout daily. Since January 1, 2018 I have found at least 30 minutes to commit to a workout. Whether it is 1am, 10am, 1pm, or 10pm this daily requirement reminds me to put my health first.
<January 1, 2018 - September 1, 2019>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 3, no phone. For 120 days, I never took my phone out of my bedroom. While in the bedroom I could use my phone, but it could never pass the doorframe separating me from the world. I went about my day it was miles and miles away. The result? I was able to have deeper conversations with friends, focus with a clearer mind on work, and be entertained by the mundane - like the color yellow.
<January 20, 2018 - May 20, 2018>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 4, create don’t consume (future experiment). In a world where anything and everything is at our fingertips, it is easy to over-consume. For 180 days I have limited my daily consumption of content to 30 minutes and instead create through art, writing, drafting business plans, or coding.
<September 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 5, goals as passwords (in progress). One of the things that we type most on a daily basis are our passwords. For 180 days, I changed every one of my online account passwords to be a goal of mine (e.g. “Write500wordstoday!” or “Do100Pushups!”). This constantly reminded me of my goals every time I wanted to log-in to an account of mine basis.
<June 1, 2017 - June 1, 2019>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 6, run 20k a week (in progress). My gym is conveniently located 3.1 miles away from my home. For the summertime (while I am living at home) twice a week I have been running to the gym, working out, and running back home. This experiment is a mental challenge, not a physical challenge. The next experiment is running a 5k in under 20 minutes.
<June 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 7, carry a pocket notebook everywhere. For over a year, I carried around a little black Moleskin notebook. This 100-page sketch notebook recorded notable thoughts I had while sitting in Ubers, eating dinner with Harvard professors, and playing video games with my roommates.
<December 4, 2017 - August 29, 2018>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 8, read 3 books a week. Driving to work, I find myself with a lot of free time. In that time, I listen to audiobooks. Cumulatively, I am testing what it is like to read and listen to 3 (or more) books a week.
<June 1, 2018 - Present>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 9, call friends on their birthday (in progress). The sound of a friendly voice can speak wonders, especially on a day that is extremely special to you. I call friends whose numbers I have on their birthday to wish them well in a voicemail or chat with them briefly in a phone call.
<July 15, 2018 - September 1, 2018>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 11, TBD. A wise man once said nothing at all.
<? - Present>
I believe to grow, you have to push yourself.
Experiment 10, Smile (always). Because why not.
<1997 - Present>
