I really like to challenge myself when I'm setting goals.
I like goals that require a new standard from me; a new level of Paul that I'm yet to uncover.
When I imagine a far-out goal, I like to think something like...that would be cool if I could do that; do you really think it's even possible?
I know that I'm going to grow in one direction or another, so it may as well be in a direction I want, and towards something that if I reach (or get anywhere close), I will be SO happy....
I'll feel like 'wow, that was so worth it.'...For sure it was worth it!
Those are the goals I like to set.
As the saying goes 'shoot for the moon because even if you miss, you'll land among the stars'
It's sweet.
Would I enjoy playing a full season of 11-aside football for a great team? No doubt.
Is it in the realms of possibility? It's pretty far-out, but I think there is a way.
And what if it doesn't happen?
Well, then I would have spend a big bunch of my time training to be physically fit, building healthy legs, learning the ins and outs of a sport I really enjoy, and most likely playing competitively at SOME level.
That's not exactly bad, is it?
Below are some of the other goals I have this attitude towards, and I'm going to share my progress and experience along the way.
To get anywhere close to reaching them, I will also need to practice particular habits very consistently (and make them part of my regular thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - i.e. lifestyle).
With football, for example; I need to stay fit for a full season (the goal isn't the be injured; it's to play a full season)
Considering the (poor) shape my knees and legs have been in, there are many habits I'll need to practice to give myself any chance of doing that. And those are the ones I'm going to focus on (e.g. movements that strengthen my knees/legs).
Some habits I've already begun to form, some are new. But with all of them, I am sure I can make them stick.
The reason why I'm confident is because I feel there is a lot of overlap with that practice, which will be beneficial to my life even if I don't reach that goal.
OK, enough set-up; here are 3 goals I have, and some of the habits that I'll need to get there.
1. QUALIFY FOR A MAGIC:THE GATHERING PRO TOUR
OK, this really is an insane goal.
This is a prize that all top MTG players dream of, and to be honest, the idea that I could do the same is still not fully formed.
The first step would be to invited (yes, invitation only).
But like I said above, this is the type of goal I like.
If I win/do really well in other tournaments and never get close to the invitation list for a Pro Tour..well...I'll be very happy.
I love the game, and at the time of writing this blog, I feel that my best achievement was qualifying for the UK National Championship, and at one point having a record of 6 wins and 1 loss.
I've never qualified for a Pro Tour.
A new standard of Paul is required.
And I do not believe that that is impossible.
If I immerse myself in the game, play and play and play and improve and improve and improve....
It might still not happen.
There are many AMAZING players who have never played at this tournament because, like any game, a big part of it is chance.
No matter.
The fact is that I love playing Magic. Time spent not reaching this goal will be time well spent, especially if I can win one or two tournaments along the way.
With that outcome, I'll be happy :)
LEARNING HABITS:
- 'Number's mind' - Mathematical thinking is not my strongest skill, but the best players in the world are great at it, and it's necessary to be able to do quick calculations to find the best plays. I will need to practice the habits of thought that will improve my capability for quick math #mansnothot
- Card knowledge and interaction - I need to automatically and non-consciously (i.e. second nature) recall a variety of cards I haven't yet played with, including how they work in various in-game scenarios. The habit of regularly playing with new cards and watching videos of older tournaments will help establish these habits of thought.
- Deck building - A big part of MTG is deck building; card knowledge will help with that, as well as a LOT of playing with different decks. Repetition is the mother of skill, and the more I do this, the more I will see patterns that will help when it comes to the big tournaments. I also like to build and play with interesting and innovative decks.
(2014 MTG World Championship Final)
2. MAKE GEOMETRIC ART AND COOL MTG TOKENS
This goal ties in with the first.
There are many cards in Magic: The Gathering that create creature 'tokens' in one form or another. These includes insects, fairies, spirits, demons, soldiers, and many more.
I think it would be pretty fun to make these tokens myself, and to use them when I play.
And I've now started to make my first one out of wood!
I REALLY want to get good at art; it's a subject I wish I would have had a lot more opportunity to practice and learn when I was growing up. Drawing tokens means I'm practicing the subject I want to learn, and I'm creating something that links to another part of my lifestyle.
It's amplifying the emotion and the reward.
I also want to have my own style, so I'm going to focus on geometric shapes and mandalas. I think this will also give me good scope as I can use what I learn to make other pieces of art in the future.
LEARNING HABITS:
- Practice drawing geometric shapes with a compass - I want to train my mind/body to be able to use a compass to draw. It's a cool piece of kit, and it opens the door to a lot of interesting ideas. Of course, this will mean habitually practicing with it.
- Watch drawing videos - I am obviously a bit fan of online learning, and similarly to watching MTG videos, I will get into the habit of regularly watching drawing videos of insects, spiders, etc. etc. (i.e. token creatures), and think about different ways I can re-create them in my own style. First of all I will follow along with the videos. Below is a nice example.
(beautiful animal drawn with a compass)
3. GROW FLOWERS, HERBS, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES FOR ME, MY FAMILY, AND MY COMMUNITY
I love vegetables. I love fruit. I love the fact that if you plant a seed, it can grow into food. Delicious, free (for the very most part) food.
The most recent feeling I've had with this was mango season in Cambodia. They are everywhere. If you're somewhere where mango trees grow (which is in a LOT of places), when the season kicks in you can eat mangoes every day for at least a couple of months.
Neighbours share with each other. You can pick them off the ground.
It's great.
My dad used to grow vegetables in his little plot of land in London, and I've dreamed about doing the same for a long time; I've just never been in one place long enough (or with my own garden) to make it happen.
I also didn't really have the habits of thought to do it either.
That has changed somewhat over the past couple of years; being around people who garden and grow plants has inevitably rubbed off on me (especially as I'm genuinely curious and wow'd by their knowledge and capabilities - I do really love being around it).
I also love to cook, so the idea of having my own plot of land where I can grow fruits and vegetables, and cook and share with people sounds frickin' great to me.
LEARNING HABITS
- Meeting people who grow - As my knowledge and skill level isn't high with this, I feel I've first got to spend more time learning from other people. This will be through online videos of course, but gratefully a number of friends and family have a lot of this knowledge already. Having these conversations about how to grow, when, what care is needed, how to scale, tips etc. will be a big part of my learning. This is a habit of curiosity.
- Read about natural medicines - I want to know about what I'm growing and how it can be used. With that insight I can make plans about what to grow, and try out different plants. I like the idea of reading about them more than watching videos; I think videos are better for when I want to observe and role model someone's behaviour (such as in the video below).
- Grow - Essentially I've just got to get out there and practice. I have planted things before, of course, but I'm thinking in the direction of really immersing myself in the behaviour. I need find somewhere to grow, and just try something new. Eventually it will have a daily gardening habit, so I've got to move more in that direction and practice something I haven't done before.
(nice one!)
OK, so that's it for this blog.
Actually, this is another goal and habit that I'm getting in to. One blog a week is the first goal, and writing is the habit.
I've learned and practiced this enough already to know it's possible, so here we go.
See you in the next one.
