I’ve straight up got a link dump for you with this one, but there’s a few nuggets of self proclaimed wisdom scattered through the progress update at the end as well. I’ve learned quite a bit just going after my January goals, thought you might find some of it useful. But first - link dump time.
🔗 Link Dump
🔥 Hot off the press, how to actually start a major goal - This Is How You “Just Do It.”
📖 A story on how I got 3k followers on Medium.
🐣 Found a fantastic twitter thread on creating kick-ass landing pages.
📣 Revisited one of my favorite Tim Ferriss podcasts - the guest is a brilliant story teller and is the co-founder of Airbnb, Joe Gebbia - I’ve linked the video but it’s also available on all podcast platforms.
📈 Just came across this article on Google’s 200 ranking factors, by Brian Dean - there’s some useful things in there if you’re an up and coming blogger or want to get your business on the front page.
🎶 I recently found this guy, from this video, and it’s the perfect combination of talent, beat, and hilarity that you need in your life right now.
That’s it for this weeks Mid-Week Link Dump - let me know if you like these styles of email updates, and if you do, I’ll do more - @sahkilic on everything.
💪 Progress Update
Here’s my progress update from my last email. Around 10-11 days ago, I shared the 2 goals I had for January. My hope was and still is that I don’t fail, and the fact that I’ll be ridiculed in front of a couple thousand people is super motivating 😜
📚 Publish 30 articles
On Thrifty Backpacker that is, aka. the blog where I’m dumping all my travel knowledge. I was up to 10/30 when I shared it with you. Latest is about finding cheap international flights.
Why do I have this as a goal?
Doing something consistent every day, having a particular routine, and making it something that is inherently difficult, really ups the ante with productivity.
If you give yourself 10 hours to complete something, you’ll take 10 hours. If you restrict the time to 2, in most cases, you’ll magically complete it in 2.
We make these artificial barriers in our minds with what we think we’re capable of doing, but rarely is it true. I’ve been writing 2000-3000 words a day, all because I set myself this challenge.
🚩 Progress [20/30]
🏋️♂️ Topping Strength Training Personal Best’s
I go 6 times a week with a split of Push, Pull, and Legs x 2 - with a days rest. Let me know if you want a post about this with all the research from beginner to intermediate.
Note: All are 5 sets 6 reps
Bench ✔️ at 70 kg currently
(Old) Current: 65 kg (143 lbs)
Goal: 70 kg (155 lbs)Dead lift ❌ dropped back down to 50 kg
(Old) Current: 60 kg (132 lbs)
Goal: 70 kg (155 lbs)Squat ✔️ at 95 kg currently
(Old) Current: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Goal: 90 kg (198 lbs)
What have I learned tackling this?
A lesson that I keep having to re-learn, it’s not about the weight you’re moving, it’s about the form. Because the goal is to build muscle, strength, and be healthy, while preventing injury - the goal isn’t lifting as much as possible.
I realized that my dead lift form was suffering and I was really struggling with it, so I’ve decided to roll back on my goal there, and focus entirely on perfecting my form.
I may be drawing connections when they don’t make sense, but I believe this encompasses a lot more than working out.
Don’t lose site of the actual goal
Don’t put value in vanity metrics
Focus on doing something right, rather than getting it ‘right’ on paper
On that note, I’m going to bid you farewell for this mid-week link dump and progress update. Hope you got some value out of it :)
Talk soon,
Sah