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Comeback Update: An Eye Popper

The idea of the “4th Quarter Comeback” was first introduced here, with a detailed follow-up here, and here. If you read them first, this post might make more sense.

So, the other day I was reading a collection of Buddhist fables, and… What? What’s wrong with reading Buddhist fables? It’s a big world out there! What? No, actually my wife doesn’t know, but now you’re making it sound like its bad, and it isn’t. It’s not like I’m studying the Kama Sutra. What would you rather have me doing? Playing Farmville? Watching “Kourtney & KIm Take New York?”  If I get to that point, just call Dr. Kevorkian for me.
Anyway, back to the Buddhist fable.  It is entitled “To Cure a Hunchback”.
Once there was a man who suddenly became a hunchback. He went to a physician who treated him first with ointment smeared on his back then squeezed the hunchback between two pieces of woodblock. The doctor pressed the woodblock so hard that the hunchback’s eyes popped out.
The end.

A few thoughts on this fable:

1) That’s the absolute worst fable I have ever heard in my life. Right?
2) I am glad I am not Buddhist.
3) Aren’t you so glad you read my blog?

Now you should be asking yourselves, “Has MMM been in the cough syrup again?” “What does this fable have to to with MMM’s 4th Quarter Comeback?”

The answer is this, and I’ll be brief:  I think I squeezed too hard. One of my goals from last month was to increase my level of exercise. I killed it. I got more exercise in November than I had in a long, long time. More than any other month this year, by at least double. Yay me!


But alas, there have been some negative repercussions to this increase, and no, my eyes did not pop out. But my left plantar and left knee are bothering me.  I must remember my own mantra: “Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.” 


Overall, my second month ended in success. Here’s the breakdown of the quarter to date:


These were my four goals as of the beginning of October:
1) Pray better.  Still good.
2) Decrease consumption of soda and ice cream. Still good. (I have it on good authority that pumpkin cheesecake doesn’t count becasue cheese is dairy and pumpkin is a vegetable)
3) Turn of the TV and internet earlier. Not quite as good but still better than before.
4) Go to bed by 11:00pm. Surprisingly good.

These were my two goals as of the beginning of November:
1) More exercise. Great, with complications.
2) Less time on the internet.  FAILURE.  Gonna have to try this one again in December.


So what does December hold?
1) Maintain or improve October & November goals.
2) Less time on the internet. 
3) De-clutter. I need to clean out my office, computer, closet etc. If I can start the New Year with a clean slate – literally – I know that I will feel better about the new year. I know that de-cluttering is cathartic and addicting.


So, overall my “Baby Steps” approach is paying off. I am looking at the end of the year with a little more excitement, and less loathing than years past. Some of the improvements I am experiencing are the more obvious ones: I am more rested, more focused, and a month into an improved exercise regime.


There have also been some other improvements that I attribute to my 4th Quarter Comeback that aren’t necessarily directly linked. I have tackled a couple of work projects that have been haunting me for a loooong time. I knocked them both out. I accomplished a personal goal that I will eventually tell you about. Also, November was my best, most productive work month since June, 2009. That is HUGE.


Oh, and remember this? “Retire to thy bed early, that ye be not weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” (D&C 88:124)

It’s working – even though it completely runs counter to my nature. I feel less ‘fuzzy” mentally – which might be the reason for my increased productivity.
So, I have 30 days left on my 4th Quarter Comeback. I can do this. Yes, my steps are pathetically small, but that is exactly why it is working – that and the proper sequencing. The goal is to take on 2012 with a full tank, and look back on 2011 as a productive time in my life.
30 days. Gotta keep focused through the holidays. Gotta keep my eyes in their sockets.
Are any of you still playing along with me?  Give me an update!
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Comments

  1. I have been going to bed earlier and getting up earlier, and yes it does make me less fuzzy. However, being consistant with my prayers has failed the last month, I started out great, but then let it slip.
    December’s goal- I need to pick up on praying consistantly. And get more exercise in – last month I lost 10 lbs by eating better and the little exercise I did – I can go for another 10 lbs this month!
    Thanks for helping by lighting a fire under me!

  2. Sadly, I’m not getting in bed much earlier. But I’m doing pretty well on the rest of my list!

    =)

  3. High five! Impressive improvements so far.

    As for your complaining knee and foot, make a habit of bonding with ice on a regular basis if you’re not already. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a full-body ice bath (although, I dare ya… it’s “refreshing”!) but definitely spend some quality time with the cold, frosty stuff. The best thing for your foot is to roll it over a frozen can of juice for several minutes at a time, several times a day. Of course, that works best for folks who sit down at their computers a lot and write three or four blog posts a week. But who knows? Maybe you can still find a way to make it happen.

  4. My 4th quarter goal is to simply survive and endure the month of December.

    After that I plan on grabbing 2012 by the horns.

    I’ve got 31 days to come up with some goals : )

  5. I never really started your 4th quarter comeback, mostly because I’m lazy, but I realized I did make some goals:

    1. Keep growing the baby.

    The end.

    And I’m doing AWESOME!

  6. I failed on going to bed earlier, but most things I’m still hanging in there… hoping to improve a little more on most things before the end of the year. I definitely feel like I’m in a better place than I was a month ago, and that’s kind of the point, right?

Add your 2¢. (Be nice.)

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