As I work on “My Story” I’m putting into practice a method shared in the book The Power of Story. This method is about turning Story into Action. These “Training Missions” are concrete measurables – evidence that I am correcting/adjusting my story. The key is to pick a few changes at a time.
I’ve selected 3 training missions to focus on. I’ll share Training Mission 1 today.
Training Mission 1: Be fully engaged at home, at work and with friends while maintaining margins in my life to meet and interact with new people (remember my ultimate purpose is to share hope and life).
Rituals to support my mission:
1. Turn off phone/silent (and don’t look at it) when I’m with people whether I’m at dinner, reading stories, playing in the yard, meetings, phone calls, or just meeting up with people.
a. Began practicing this in the summer of 2010
2. Exercise 5x a week – and complete 90 days of CrossFit. I enjoy CrossFit because every day is different and it’s a very intense exercises for a short time. Perfect for a person that can lose interest in things quickly.
a. Started in August 2010
3. Take a walk before heading to the office. Clear my head and just have a moment of stillness/quietness.
a. Starting taking a walk Aug 2010
4. Do not go to bed with the cell phone near the bed. There’s no reason to play games or check the news. It causes me to stay awake later instead of getting sleep.
a. Starting Sept 8.
5. Spend time/write an email/make a call with one person outside my core group of friends/family.
a. Wrote my first note on my blog and sent to Tammy and Brian Sept 2.
6. Check email during specific times. Do not allow email to dictate my schedule but dictate when I check email.
a. Started Sept 8
7. Limit alcohol intake.
a. Committed to not drinking for the remainder of 2010 (8/31/10-12/31/10). I thought this was a great idea as I spend time learning more about alcoholism (one of the things I’m committed to learning more about this fall).
NOTE: posted my story lines which are the main influence for my “training missions”
Hi Michael,
Just got back from dropping you off at airport & of course, sat down at the computer. Before doing anything, I read your Story Lines. You are giving me a lot to think about for myself; in addition, to being very proud to call you my son-in-law, and I am grateful that you are Kelly’s husband & father of Campbell, Piper, & Baby McFadden, arriving in Feb. Love, Birdie