What Did I Learn From Doing 2000 Push Ups in a Month

Summary

Tom Handy shares his experience of doing 2000 push-ups a month during the coronavirus lockdown, drawing inspiration from Brian Tracy's book "Eat that Frog," and emphasizes the importance of completing the most challenging tasks early in the day.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Tom Handy took up the challenge of doing 2000 push-ups a month after finding himself unable to access the gym. Initially struggling with 25 push-ups, he gradually built up his strength to consistently perform 100 push-ups daily. Drawing from the principles in Brian Tracy's "Eat that Frog," Handy emphasizes the significance of tackling the most important and challenging tasks first thing in the morning. This approach not only ensures that these critical tasks are completed but also sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Handy adapted his routine over time, eventually integrating his physical exercise and writing commitments into his morning schedule, which allowed him to be more productive and available to support his children's education during the day.

Opinions

Handy believes in the power of starting the day with the most daunting tasks, aligning with Tracy's advice to "eat that frog" and prioritize essential activities.
He acknowledges the necessity of adapting one's routine to maintain physical health and productivity, as evidenced by his adjustment to a Monday-to

You Have to Eat That Frog to Start Your Day

As the coronavirus heated up and the gym started closing, I couldn’t sit around and do nothing. I had to do some type of exercise. I started to do push-ups. I could barely do 25 the first time. But soon, I did 100 push-ups a day or 2000 push-ups a month.

If you have read Brian Tracy’s classic book Eat that Frog, you know what I’m referring to.

In Brian’s book, he talks about different tasks you MUST do each day. These do not have to do tasks but MUST do tasks.

It could be making 10 phone calls.

This could be working out.

Maybe it’s reading 20 pages in a book.

Whatever your goal is, you have to get them done.

The key point is to take on those tough tasks and knock them out as early as you can in the day.

As early as you do these, your most important task is complete for the day.

During the coronavirus lockdown, routines change. You can let the virus get the best of you, or you can tackle this virus head-on.

I chose to tackle the virus head-on.

With my kids running around, I had to get back to Brian’s Eat that Frog.

I wanted to get my push-ups done and then added on my writing on Medium. The writing was a second frog I added to my plate.

At first, I started doing the push-ups and my goal was to get them done by noon Monday to Saturday. After a few weeks, my upper body would get really sore so I had to cut it back to Monday to Friday and take two days off.

Halfway through March, I started this. Then in April, my body was getting used to this. In May my body was doing this like clockwork. I changed my routine so now I knock out the 100 push-ups a few minutes after I wake up.

As for writing, I try to finish my article by noon or so. In most cases, I get 75% of the article written. This then frees up my day to help my kids with their summer classes I enrolled them in or extra reading I gave them.

What frog are you trying to eat?

Tom Handy is a top Investment and Bitcoin writer on Medium, and the father of two kids. He retired from the Army and sits on several non-profit boards. Tom is the top Yelper in his community and a top Google Guide. He’s on several social media channels and you can find him on Twitter @tomhandy1 and Instagram @tomhandy1.