The habits to challenge your state of comfort

Brief intro
The things I’m about to share with you are things I actively practice. They have challenged my way of thinking and taught me lessons through self-realizations. They were exactly what I needed at this time of great change which my life was about to take. Without them I do not think I could function at this high a level. One misconception people have is, when they are working towards an end goal and once reached, they can finally relax. What I have learned is, in order to live a certain life, we must live by certain habits. These habits are learned by us, when we decide to put in the work. This is only the beginning there are plenty of other habits we can live by.

1. Written goals and staying accountable
   Clarity of the mind is something I’ve been very fortunate to have. Through this clarity I’ve received impressions which can be very rewarding, If I choose to act on them. Remember, the impression means nothing to those who choose to ignore them. The easiest way we can show that they are important to us, is by writing them down. Once a thought is written it becomes organized and we can see our idea more clearly. Also, by the way it is written it can hold us to a commitment. Your word is everything and by these words you can decide the direction in which your life will take. Begin by carrying a notebook and write down the impressions you receive. You will be surprised by how many things come to pass because you chose to write them down.
   Accountability has made the biggest difference on following through with my goals. I’ve had the question come up many times, “why am I doing this? No one is making me do this”. It is the reason I’ve gone back and forth so many times when it comes to my progress. It is easier to say, “I’ll start tomorrow”. There are two ways to overcome this setback of procrastination. One is by taking the time to re-read what you have already written. This can be done at night before bed as a session of accountability to mark off each accomplishment. If at some point you’ve felt impressed, to write that down, then it matters that you follow through. The second method to staying accountable is, through another individual. It is easier to let ourselves down when we don’t know our self-worth, but it is much harder to let another person down who is counting on us. By reaching out to someone you look up to it can help you stay committed. Accountability will heighten the desperation to follow through on your commitments.

2. Waking up at 4 AM every morning
   Something I’ve had to get used to is waking up early, before most people wake up. I found the perfect time to wake up is 3:45 or 4:00 AM. I don’t even allow weekends or holidays to change this decision. The only time I don’t wake up that early, is when my body signals me that it absolutely needs more rest, then of course I will listen. There is also a difference from choosing to wake up at 5:00 AM, 4:30 AM, 4:00 AM or 3:45 AM. The greatest difference I have felt has been when I wake up at 3:45 AM. It helps me prepare for the day without any distractions that could get in the way. The first few hours of every morning are a fresh new start to learning. During those hours we literally absorb everything like a sponge and as the day goes on our attention shifts in many different directions. In order to take advantage of these hours we must realize that the earlier our day starts, the more productive our day will be. Our mornings begin the momentum that is needed to create the most fulfilling day. One trick to waking up early is right before falling asleep, say out loud what time you will be waking up the next morning. Make sure to quickly get out of bed once you’re awake, the snooze button should not even be an option.

3. Taking caffeine before and after workouts
   This is something that I read in a forum that I was curious about. I’ve always known that caffeine works but I only ever took it as a pre-workout. I decided to try it after I had finished eating breakfast since my workouts are done first thing in the morning. This means by the time I leave my house to begin working I have already taken caffeine twice, once before the gym and then after my workout with my breakfast. I see caffeine as a tool that should not be abused but can be used responsibly. Instead of coffee I prefer caffeine tablets, it is a cleaner way of getting what I need. This keeps me in a productive pace throughout my day.

4. Drinking apple cider vinegar shots every morning
   I had the question of what could help get rid of cravings. I needed to be able to handle my sweet tooth. As an adult I realized the reason I crave sweets so much is because as a child my parents would reward me with sweets. It was something they did not regularly buy, or they would put away. As an adult my mind still has this connection to rewarding myself with sweets. I began taking apple cider vinegar shots diluted with water right after every breakfast. Its strange but your craving and desire to eat disappear. Even if you filled a bowl with ice cream then took a shot of apple cider vinegar right before, your desire to eat it would go away. When you don’t have the thought of eating on your mind you can focus better on getting your day started. This can also be used at any point through out the day when you have random cravings that may be against your diet.

5. Taking cold showers
   I stopped taking hot showers because it provided a moment of comfort when my life required desperation. Taking cold showers has helped me in a couple different ways. It keeps my mind alert instead of becoming comfortable due to the temperature of the water. No matter how many times I do it, it’s still a mind game preparing myself before turning on the water. My mind is forced to be present, to get through what feels like a harmful situation. The other benefit I receive from cold showers has been improving my skin. We are so used to seeking comfort. Most people don’t think twice when it comes to the temperature of the water they use. The hotter and longer you shower the more it opens your pores. This can be very negative for people with sensitive skin. By showering in cold water your skin becomes tough and will be less affected by your activities through out the day.

6. Fasting 24 hours twice a week
   I had already been fasting for 24 hours once a week when I made this decision. This was maintaining me but not challenging me any further. In order to fast twice a week, I had to make many attempts which took place within about four weeks. With this type of intermittent fasting my results accelerated beyond what I had seen before. Fasting does not mean to starve yourself if you forgot to pack a lunch. Fasting means that you decide ahead of time when you will fast, and then you follow through until the end. After about 8 to 10 hours you should feel a heightened state of mind that will push you through the remainder of the fast. You may even think you don’t need to eat after 24 hours because you realize how strong your body really is. Your body will repair itself and sustain you with the things you have eaten and with what your body has stored. We have a body ready for moments of survival but rarely are we challenged to survive.
   Finale
   To be awake means we can see beyond what’s on the surface. We become free from the dependencies this world has freely given into. Curiosity is the first step to challenge our way of thinking. If we aren’t constantly finding ways to challenge ourselves, we will stop growing. The route that we take may be challenging, but it’s worth it. When we create new habits, we are definitively changing the way we do things. We are consciously taking control of the reality we choose to live in.