Stop Running Pt.2: Proof That Anyone Can Make Meaningful Growth A Guarantee

{ To read Stop Running Pt.1: How I Transformed My Situation With 31 Days And A Pledge For Change, click Here }

At the start of this month, I made a pledge.

After three months of inconsistency, I reached a juncture.

I had two choices.

And my degree was on the line.

Face the problem I’ve been running from.

Or,

Continue running and face the music.

The obvious answer was the former, but how viable would that be?

I had failed to be consistent for three months, back-to-back.

In April, I had no entries.

I was grossly accustomed to comfort.

To reach the heights I intended, I would have to seek out discomfort every single day.

Over and over.

So I made it easy for myself; on May 1st, I made a pledge.

I wasn’t going to run anymore.

I was going to face that discomfort head-on and come out victorious.

It was all or nothing.

If I sank, I was never going to recover.

May 1st — 31st

My final exam was on the 5th of June, so I was still focused on exams towards the latter of the month.

However,

What a difference!

And I’m not perfect.

There were days when I couldn’t manage to stay consistent due to external obligations.

(See the days highlighted in light blue.)

For example, when I helped my parents move house, I made no progress.

Moreover, there were days where I made no progress, even though I had no valid reason.

(See the day highlighted in red.)

On this day, I spent the day with one of my friends and ended up doing no work at all.

In any capacity.

Nothing.

I didn’t even read an article.

That takes three minutes.

And the reason I’m disappointed in myself for that day is the system, as aforementioned, is designed to be achievable in any circumstance.

No matter the distraction or obligation, with enough preparation or dedication, I could meet the quota.

A great example of this is the 6th and 7th of May.

I was in Liverpool on the 6th, and on the 7th I traveled from Liverpool to Manchester, then back to Liverpool, and finally back to Nottingham.

However, as you’ll see, I tried my best to make a significant contribution on both days.

I completed all of the tasks on the 7th, just prior to catching my train, and on the train.

Why?

Because I made a choice.

Not something unattainable or impossible.

Something achievable but still beyond my comfort zone.

I chose to stop running from meaningful effort.

There is no excuse, if you really want to do something.

You will find a way.

And you can find a way.

I did it during the most strenuous period of my calendar.

Balancing work, revision, personal projects, exams, the gym, and my social life.

And I did it successfully, if I do say so myself.

All because I stopped running.

Here are some numbers:

I completed 218 beneficial tasks this month.

In 31 days,

I made time for 218 meaningful steps towards my various goals.

In the midst of exams and juggling commitments, I made that progress.

Just by choosing to stop running.

I faced the boulder head-on and won.

In 31 days,

I failed 11 times.

There are only 11 mandatory tasks I failed to complete.

That’s it.

It feels horrific to me, but that’s the reality.

I only failed 11 times.

Let’s compare my failures to my additional efforts.

I completed 55 additional tasks this month.

For every time I failed, I took five additional voluntary steps.

In the month of May, I went above and beyond 24 out of 31 days.

In just one week of the month, I did the bare minimum.

That’s it.

Why?

Because that’s who I used to be.

I used to be stagnant.

I used to give in easily.

I used to choose comfort.

I used to run away from the problem before me.

Because it was easier.

But this month is proof that it’s not who I am anymore.

And if I ever fall short again, all I have to do is make a choice.

All I have to do is stop running.

And it’s no different for you.

Make the choice.

Stop Running.

LM