Crack more eggs — On Mental Health

Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket

Photo by Tengyart on Unsplash

Most people focus on only one thing to achieve and I believe it’s a mistake.

Life is not one dimensional.

For example, you can strive to achieve bigger goals at work(applies even if you are an employee, entrepreneur, actor or athlete) and nothing wrong with it. But have things outside work too, to achieve something.

First of all, it will help you get better at something or better at yourself. Second of all, your happiness is divided into two baskets(at least). The first basket is work and the second is some hobby you would pick(I explained below how to pick one).

I would say, focus on your health — Maybe get out and set a time to walk for 10 mins and increase it to 30 mins and an hour, Or hit the gym, or go for a swim, or keep earphones with loud music and dance in your closed room.

Or read something, or write something, or have a side project, or cook something every day, actually, it can be anything. The important thing is, it should be something you would love doing every day.

It doesn’t matter what hobby you pick or the goal you have outside work. As long as it satisfies these 3 things.

1. It should be easy to start and you have the resources for it.
2. It should be a repeatable process (almost every day).
3. You should be able to have a yearly goal(that can be divided into monthly, weekly and daily goals).

I once wanted to read 52 books. Long story short. If I read for 2 hours a day(20 pages/hour speed). I know I can finish the goal. And I did it.

Another year, I ran a full marathon, and another year I drank 100 different coffee/teas(did I not tell you, it doesn’t matter what the goal is?).

I figured having a hobby or a goal outside worked help me with these things

1. It helped me understand if things are in my control, I can achieve them. It boosts confidence.
2. After 3–5 weeks, once you see improvement in your hobby/skill. You will be hooked to the progress. This delayed gratification is sustainable and makes you feel more content and happy.
3. It will make you a better person.

— > Here is a quick thought experiment for you.

• If you have to list down 3 to 5 things you love to do(which you may be already doing once in a while or have in mind to do). What would they be?
• In those, what are those you can start doing for a week?
• If you can do it for a week, would you have the time and resources to do it for a year?
• If yes, then can you start today? (If it’s reading, read one line, if it’s exercise, do 1 jumping jack. This may look silly, but point is, you are starting the habit).

As you get better at one thing, you can start adding more goals.

PS: After reading this, if you start something and after a week, you decide to do it for a year(please plan it for a year), then, let me know which one you are starting and what are your goals, okay?