Zen Habits

[puglogic]

Does anyone read Leo Babauta's blog, Zen Habits? Just curious, really. I had off and on in the past, but I found reading this really good for my mental health this morning: http://zenhabits.net/do/

I've been trying to "do" things in big huge bites, and the stress has been hurting me on many levels. Maybe I just need to do a little less, or in smaller bites. At the very least, it was helpful to see myself so clearly in this particular post.

[decemberlov]

I love reading Zen Habits! I like that every post is very short and sweet, doesn't take much of my time at all and I leave feeling inspired.

[Gardenarian]

I used to read it a lot but I got a little burned out on it (especially when he stopped posting comments.) A lot of wisdom there, tho'.

[SteveinMN]

I used to read it, but after a while it became repetitive. I also started noticing that every time there was a picture, it was of some very attractive woman. Not llke I have any problem with attractive women. :laff: It was just odd that guys were hardly ever illustrations of Zen thinking. I wrote Leo about that once. No response.

[catherine]

I like Zen Habits! I've read it off and on for a long time. I agree that it gets a bit repetitive, but overall, I like him.

I like that article, because I am definitely guilty of "paralysis by analysis."

One big change for me was something I learned from one of my project managers. She is definitely a Type A personality--a real doer. I was always the thinker in the pair.

But often when we were trying to manage a bunch of projects and I would be dwelling on a task, she would simply say, "Push it forward. Push it forward" What I took from that is, don't try to "Get It Done" and especially don't try to "Get It Done Perfectly." The image of my head of "push it forward" was just that--just do something--anything--to inch it ahead--anything. Kick the box toward the door. Just push it forward!

That one little line/image often breaks my inertia. I don't know why! But it's my mental laxative.

[decemberlov]

I used to read it, but after a while it became repetitive. I also started noticing that every time there was a picture, it was of some very attractive woman. Not llke I have any problem with attractive women. :laff: It was just odd that guys were hardly ever illustrations of Zen thinking. I wrote Leo about that once. No response.

Maybe he took it into account even though you didn't get a response :~)

I've actually never seen a picture on the blog....

[Amaranth]

This strategy does help a great deal. Also if you reframe the to do item to a specific measurable task that you have control over, it helps a great deal. For instance instead of Learn Spanish 30 minutes instead put Listen to Spanish Lesson #14.
Or Write 2 pages (don't edit, just write)

Also it helps when you are trying to change something to add in one small improvement at a time. So if you are improving your diet:
Week 1: Eat 2 cups of salad per day.
Week 2: Continue previous plus Eat 1 serving of a Red/Yellow/Orange vegetable per day.
Week 3: Continue previous plus Eat 1 serving of a whole grain per day.
Don't try to take away the unhealthy stuff first-- just steadily crowd it out with the yummy whole foods.

[dado potato]

I just happened to read an item there for the 1st time today
http://zenhabits.net/solitude/

I would say there are a few other benefits of solitude to add to the list:
Shy wildlife is best observed alone.
It's the quietest way to use an exercise machine.

[HappyHiker]

I've never read/nor heard of Zen habits before--but went there and loved it, so now am subscribed! Thanks!

[Tradd]

I like the "learn by doing" in the post pug linked to. That's how I'm learning my new position, that I undertook in not-ideal circumstances.

I do find the blog somewhat repetitive at times, as others do, but just like everything else, I take what I like, and ignore the rest. The entry on packing light for women from Leo's wife this August was something I found very interesting.

[Tradd]

I like the "learn by doing" in the post pug linked to. That's how I'm learning my new position, that I undertook in not-ideal circumstances.

I do find the blog somewhat repetitive at times, as others do, but just like everything else, I take what I like, and ignore the rest. The entry on packing light for women from Leo's wife this August was something I found very interesting.

[Simplemind]

I'm also a fan. I haven't been reading long enough for it to feel repetitive but look at some things along the same theme as reenforcing information. It's all good.

[ZenRanger]

I am definitely a fan. Leos words have a soothing effect. Just wanted to let those of you who read his stuff regularly that there is now an audio version (http://castify.co/channels/19-zen-habits-new-posts-subscription) which gets all of his ongoing articles read and delivered as a podcast. I find listening to his writing while on a run or in the car to be very relaxing.