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26 posts tagged with "habit"

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· One min read
Gaurav Parashar

Spring time​

String is the season full of life, growth and activity. It is a season that is marked by warmer temperatures, longer days, and the blossoming of flowers and trees. And Holi, in a way, marks the beginning of Spring season.

Intelligence in plants​

Plants are intelligent, albeit in a different way, but they are able to sense and respond to their environment, communicate with each other through chemical signals, and even solve problems. The next time you see a flower or plant bending towards sunlight, growing towards water - be amazed by the existence of intelligence all around is. In a way, isn't that what life is all about?

Flower blooming in spring, Jaipur Model Town

· One min read
Gaurav Parashar

Converting for good​

Many a times, we take decisions which are tough, binding and for life time. These are moments of conversion, and if supported by willpower and change of identity, they are permanent. Some examples of converting are:

  • Picking a new hobby - cycling or running
  • Quitting smoking for good
  • Becoming a reader

Zeal of the converted​

The process of converting from an old you to a new you is confusing, scary and comes with a lot of temptations. Building a new habit is tough, it is slow and requires an honest conversation with your self. But after you convert, it becomes pride and something you are indeed proud of. The converted you is zealous for the following reasons:

  • It is energizing to do something new, hard and personal.
  • Being successfully on the other side gives you immense confidence and self worth.
  • Having struggled and failed, you are more willing to help others in their journey.

A zealous and converted me talking about morning swimming

Zealous and motivated about swimming

· 2 min read
Gaurav Parashar

While I wait​

I wait for many chunks of 15 minutes during the day, these slots are not sufficient to start a new task/work but sufficient to engage in superfillers. For example, I might wait during the day:

  • For household helps (cook/maid) to complete their task at hand.
  • A meeting or call to start in 20 minutes
  • A friend is late to meet at the coffee shop

Superfillers​

A superfiller is an activity or habit that has the following characteristics:

  1. 10 minute atomic Habit
  2. Asymmetric long term benefits due to daily compounding
  3. Aligned with personal goals

How I wait​

I have found a few things to be highly satisfying superfillers. In the last 1 year, the top of my list would be:

  • Reading a few pages of my current book on Kindle while I wait
  • 10 minute meditation while I wait
  • Walk in the office/society/hall while I wait
  • Return calls to friends or family while I wait

While I wait - Meditation at Langkawi Sky Bridge 2022

Meditation at Langkawi Sky Bridge 2022

A unique experience was meditating at Langkawi Sky Bridge - I could feel that the curved cable-stayed bridge vibrates/oscillates ever so slightly.

· One min read
Gaurav Parashar

Who cares about Handwriting?​

I have always had a below average handwriting. I did not write like doctors but the letters were ill shaped, flow zig zag and consistency missing. And indeed it did not obstruct work in any manner, but it definitely could be 10X'ed.

What to do about Handwriting?​

In 2022, I started a simple practice on pen & paper with the aim of improving my handwriting. It was a 5-min exercise of writing alphabets, patterns, and passages/poems.

Improve my Handwriting Practice 2022

While I do not see any measurable improvement in my handwriting yet. I do feel happy about reading some poems again. Poem in handwriting above - All the world's a stage