So Jeanne’s post inspired me to write this. Particularly the bit about how she squeezed in some running time into her day. I’ve followed her for a while now, and it’s interesting to see how she’s grown into running this past year or so.
If you’ve been following my blog, you might’ve also noticed that I work out every day, thanks to me repeating that fact like a broken record. The reason? Because I’ve found a groove that works for me.
How I go about it is as thus: I put out 70% effort (or less). If, when I think about my problems, and I still feel the dread, I add another set. I keep doing this until the problem seems to mellow out. That’s it.
I don’t care if weightlifting builds more muscle than running. I don’t care if high-intensity exercise benefits my heart more than a mild jog. I just do it for the feels.
And most importantly, it’s what I would actually do.
All learn and no do
Let’s say I find an objective way to increase your writing output by 500%. Let’s say it involves sacrificing goats. Let’s say you get queasy when it comes to goat blood. It’d be safe to say that you won’t be increasing your writing output fivefold anytime soon.
But let’s also say that there’s another way to increase your writing output by 10%, and it involves eating spinach. What would you do? Eat the spinach? Or complain that it does nothing when compared to sacrificial rituals?
This is where I point out that the most important routine is the one that you will actually do. Because as the saying goes, “To know and not to do is not to know.”
So what if running gets your heart working more than walking? Would you quit your daily walk even if you enjoy it more?
And so what if your favourite Malaysian blogger says that Vim is the best word processor ever? Does that mean you can’t be productive with Microsoft Word?
This is me hating on optimisers
You probably have friends like this: They notice you eating more vegetables, then proceed to comment on the amount of pesticides you’re putting in your body. All while they wolf down a Big Mac and Coke.
Then there are the gym bros who only subscribe to one way of training. “Running does not work your sagittal planes enough, bro,” they’d say. “And it sucks for burning fat.”
Again, they probably say this from their comfortable couch, having not stuck to a proper workout routine for more than a month, and already they’re playing theorycraft about the only routines that are worth doing.
You know what I say? If someone loves running and sees themselves doing it till they’re 90, then there’s no reason to tell them to lift some weights.
Same with you. If you find yourself sticking to a particular activity despite your mind telling you that you ‘should’ participate in that other popular activity, then you should take heed.
Because the best routine is the one you’d actually do.
But there’s the danger of bad habits too
I had been listless and ambitionless for most of my young adult life. And no surprise too, as I’d chosen hairdressing because it was ‘cool’, then tried to be an accountant because I thought that’s where the cash was.
Every day I woke up without a reason, wondering how I could get by with the least amount of effort.
That was until I found writing. And that was the first time I’d ever felt what it was like to have a job that didn’t really feel like one. But I digress.
What’s more important to note, however, is that our daily habits could also turn us down a different path in life.
Like hitting that snooze button, for example. Or eating that bag of chips after dinner. Or watching that final episode when we really should be going to bed.
So sometimes, the worst routines for us are also the ones we’ll actually do.
My personal pitfalls
Of course, I’m not without faults, and I tend to fall into the overthinking camp sometimes. I often research a new routine and weigh out the pros and cons only to fall out of the habit one week later. Here are the areas in which I fall short.
I’m a hack chaser. Give me a new writing method and I’ll be all over it. Longhand, voice dictation, Notion… I’ve tried them all. Thing is, I sometimes spend so much more time optimising the routines in my head than actually applying them to my life.
I’m an idol follower. George RR Martin uses Wordstar? I’ll have to learn an equally archaic word processor. Neil Gaiman uses a fountain pen? I gotta splurge on the exact model he uses. Brandon Sanderson relies on outlines? I’ll ignore my own writing processes to do the same. Then I fail spectacularly and feel like an idiot.
I like novelty. I collect hobbies. I guess that says everything about my hack-chasing ways. In fact, I cycle through various writing methods throughout the months, just to get things feeling like new. I outlined this post with a mind map, for instance. The downside is that I don’t zero in on a practice I’d actually do consistently.
Personal growth: What does it mean to you?
So let’s talk cheddar. The real deal. The meat of the topic. What habits would you like to cultivate? And what would you actually do? Be realistic. No best-case scenarios here.
For me, I’d be happy if each day consisted of: furthering my craft (writing for now, but who knows, it might change in the future), keeping the house clean, working out, eating well, taking care of my loved ones, and learning something new.
Of course, if I had it my way, I’d dedicate my entire day to this, day job not included. But life has a way of taking up most of your time (in fact, it takes up all of your time) so I have to water down each activity to fit them into my day.
This means writing 250 words a day instead of 1,000. Working out less intensely so I can maintain it throughout the year. Doing only one chore. Prepping my meals for the week.
I’m not making much headway in either field, but it’s something that I would do. What about you? What would you actually do in your day-to-day that’s related to personal growth?
And most importantly, will you get around to doing it today?
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Stuart Danker 
I’d love to hear your thoughts!