Agile for kids/family

[Darren Dirt]

It's true, and if you drive yourself to use a process that forces you to track results, as agile does, you start to see the value.

And heck it doesn't even have to be very detailed "progress" that you track! One of the links/comments from that "21 days is a myth" article...

http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/hbrc/2012/06/29/busting-the-21-days-habit-formation-myth/

The bottom line is: stay strong. 21 days is a myth; habit formation typically takes longer than that. The best estimate is 66 days, but it?s unwise to attempt to assign a number to this process. The duration of habit formation is likely to differ depending on who you are and what you are trying to do. As long as you continue doing your new healthy behaviour consistently in a given situation, a habit will form. But you will probably have to persevere beyond January 21st.

...mentioned a really simple method "Don't Break the Chain" -- based on just physically marking a visible "X" on a conspicuously placed calendar you see every day -- http://mikecooper.ca/build-habits-like-jerry-seinfeld/

And a similar kind of simplicity (where you are NEVER bogged down by keeping track of "details") can be applied to saving money -- http://mikecooper.ca/save-1400/

[Darren Dirt]

short video (book promo*, technically) that explains the NEUROSCIENCE behind [bad] habits...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H0fTwtPLfo

* "understanding how habits work is the key to {exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success}"
http://charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit/



Also here's a fascinating talk by Tim Ferriss in May 2013 about accelerated learning (how to become "World Class" at something -- top 5% -- in 3 to 6 months) -- including a few of his own personal experiences in going well beyond what he expected his limits to be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSq9uGs_z0E

In his talk Tim covers "DiSSS" to quickly acquire a new skillset, learn a new language, etc.
-Deconstruction (to identify why you might fail, before you start -- and then you can avoid or take away those failure points the first 5 sessions)
-Selection (identify the 20% of tools [or elements of the area of study] that produce 80%+ of results, focus on minimalism e.g. Axis of Awesome's "4 Chord Song")
-Sequencing (question the accepted order, e.g. work backwards, or examine from an uncommon perspective, or first try a skill with a "no-stakes" approach)
-Stakes (consequences -- whatever self-motivation works for you, an EXTREME example would be that "self-blackmail" episode of "Nathan For You" )

[Darren Dirt]

http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/hbrc/2012/06/29/busting-the-21-days-habit-formation-myth/

The bottom line is: stay strong. 21 days is a myth; habit formation typically takes longer than that. The best estimate is 66 days, but it?s unwise to attempt to assign a number to this process. The duration of habit formation is likely to differ depending on who you are and what you are trying to do. As long as you continue doing your new healthy behaviour consistently in a given situation, a habit will form. But you will probably have to persevere beyond January 21st.

Funny, that "66 days" rang familiar -- now I know why:
a previous RW thread New Year's Resolutions: How do you easily start good habits?

http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/12/last-damn-thing-new-years-resolutions/

^ a collection of wisdom from multiple experts. In brief...

...

it takes an average of 66 days to establish a new good habit.

...

(FASCINATING youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE/videos )

and chasing down that "66 days" link source, it's from a 2011 book (now also in eBook format):
http://www.amazon.com/Help-Become-Slightly-Happier-More/dp/0857860267

[Darren Dirt]

On the subject of human behavior, motivation/thinking/feeling, getting stuff done and done WELL, and more importantly heck let's shoot for the moon:
*Being Brilliant Every Day* -- Alan Watkins @ TED (44 minutes, worth it!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xc3XdOiGGI
http://www.complete-coherence.com/tedx/

Basically he talks about the PHYSIOLOGICAL basis for brain-not-working-good (he calls it "D.I.Y. Lobotomy"! ... And what to do about it -- i.e. train yourself and/or strive to consistently experience mental "coherence" http://www.complete-coherence.com/who-we-are/ (aka "Flow" or "In The Zone" -- ON DEMAND.)


(I really like the acronym/mnemonic at the end, something simple anyone has the power to do *at any time they decide to do it* -- to get away from the "right side", to "at least get to the midpoint" BREATHE = Breath Rhythmically Evenly & Through the Heart Everyday)



more AW:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmBJDLbajmNk0GzIKfA0YSA/videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi5z6lJ8qGesigDQpj0NFrA/videos