Pushing yourself: Is it really worth it?

We often find ourselves wondering when things get uncomfortable - is it really worth it? However, nothing of value can be achieved if we don't feel the heat- both physically and mentally.

I am highly diabetic. Good diet and exercise keep me alive and kicking for another day. Eating out leaves me feeling groggy with elevated blood sugar and affects my energy levels even the following day. Ever since I was diagnosed, I have cooked meals for myself every single day. This takes time and so I preferred to work-from-home for my employees. Recently, a role change has required me to go to work every day and eat out occasionally. I try my best to pack a lunch from home. But some days, when clients visit, the day starts early and ends late with no energy or enthusiasm left for cooking.

Longer work days also mean that the propensity to relax on weekends is more than the inclination to socialize. I like to have my friends over and have them enjoy my cooking. But SG and I also want to catch up on chores and have relaxed conversations without feeling the rush to accomplish anything on Saturdays and Sundays. Sometimes, I find myself preparing for the following week at work and with joy. This has been a tremendous learning experience for me. And I am grateful for it.

I like to voice my thoughts over a mic and feel connected to an audience. I have missed out on attending Live Lit on Thursdays for the past two months. Something I had been committed to for over a year. These are trade-offs of things I value.  I don't like saying that 'I am busy.' That is abstract. I like to define that I can have consecutive 10-hours days and since it is a start-up, everyone has to pull their weight. Also, this is more than just a 'job' for me, so I want to do my best.

I had two options:

1. Stay in a comfortable job and learn marginally. 
2. Push myself to the limit and see how far I can grow.

The seed would never grow if it were comfortable in the warmth of the earth, It decides to push against the dirt to become self-sufficient. Similarly, you have to step out of your comfort zone and expose yourselves to different energies. Allow yourself to feel the discomfort. Allow yourself to fail even. But focus on the growth. Only the growth.

How to read more?

I have been working on my Goodreads challenge this year (a pledge of 24 books). I have to average two books a month to complete my goal, and I have been wondering how to accomplish it. Tania di is my school senior from Holy Cross who has already completed 7 books for her 55 books challenge and I often see her progress on my Goodreads newsfeed. I found it very inspiring and I had to ask her how she does it.

She advised the following:

'I got rid of my TV, cut out my Netflix subscription and spent all my free time reading in some form. Audiobooks is probably another reason I can get through more. Audible/library audiobooks etc. I listened to these for hours during my long drives which I had to do daily for a few years. I also play them while playing games or doing chores. '

To be honest, I never really enjoyed audiobooks much, but those seem to be something to take into account if I want to complete my reading challenge this year. I used to listen to NPR when I cooked meals. I can switch to audiobooks once in a while.

I usually read before going to bed, and I fall asleep by the time I have read about twenty pages. I am working on cutting down TV time. Honestly, it is not much of a challenge because after a while, TV feels boring and I feel like going back to reading.

I carry a book everywhere I go. I travel quite frequently, and long flights are ideal for some light reading. I even take my iPad to my manicurist. There is a good 45-mins reading time available when she is working on my feet. You can carry a book if you are expecting a long wait for a doctor's visit. Basically, encourage yourself to use all the hidden minutes in a day.

Also, using the progress tracker in Goodreads make it like a game where I try a little harder to complete one more page before I give up.

She also opined that I could skim non-fiction. A lot of non-fiction is fluff writing to fill a book when the message is rather short. She mentioned speed reading, and though I am someone who likes to take time to devour good writing, it might work for books where comprehension is not the main objective. Whatever your goal is, I hope you take time to enjoy reading some good books this year. Good luck!

You may like some classic audiobooks here