What is the Criteria for a +1?

Wait, what does this actually mean?

The criteria for a +1 is a personalized approach I’ve developed to help me strive towards becoming my best self every single day. Essentially, I earn a +1 to my count if I successfully engage in five specific behaviors or activities each day. These pre-set activities are:

Engage in One Healthy Activity:
- Example: This could be anything from going for a 30-minute run, practicing yoga, or eating a balanced meal.
- Personal Anecdote: For instance, I started incorporating a cold shower to my daily morning routine. Initially, it was challenging to take the cold shower, but the sense of accomplishment and the boost in energy I felt afterwards made it worth it.
- Tips: To overcome the challenge of consistency, set a specific time for your healthy activity and treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
Work for Three Hours:
- Example: Focused, productive work towards my goals, whether it’s my job, a personal project, or learning something new.
- Personal Anecdote: I dedicated three hours each day to working, whether it was a scheduled work meeting or time spent working on a personal project. Breaking it down into manageable tasks helped me stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
- Tips: Use time-blocking techniques and eliminate distractions to make these hours as productive as possible.
Look Within:
- Example: Spend time in introspection or self-reflection, understanding my thoughts, emotions, and motivations.
- Personal Anecdote: I began journaling every Saturday morning, reflecting on the past week. This practice has been invaluable in gaining clarity and managing stress.
- Tips: Set aside quiet time each day/week for reflection. Using prompts can help guide your introspection if you’re unsure where to start.
Check in with One Other Person:
- Example: Reach out to a friend, family member, or colleague to maintain and nurture my relationships.
- Personal Anecdote: I made it a habit to call my parents once a week and catch up with friends regularly. These connections have strengthened my relationships and provided emotional support.
- Tips: Schedule regular check-ins on your calendar to ensure you make time for them, even on busy days.
Learn One Small Thing:
- Example: Expand my knowledge by learning something new, no matter how small or trivial it may seem.
- Personal Anecdote: I decided that I would read at least 25 pages of the book I was reading each day. This has kept my curiosity alive and made for interesting conversations.
- Tips: Use apps or websites that offer daily learning snippets in your areas of interest, or set a goal to read a few pages of a book each day.

Why Day 1 Matters Most

Mathematically speaking, Day 1 will be the most frequently repeated. There will always be forces beyond my control that may prevent me from achieving these goals every single day. However, this doesn’t mean I stop trying. The aim is to continually strive to reach the highest count possible, always pushing forward, and embracing each new day as an opportunity to earn another +1.

Join the Journey

This journey began on Day 1, and each day, I’m committed to giving my best effort to keep adding to my count. It’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence and progress. I invite you to join me on this journey. Track your own +1s and share your experiences. Together, we can support each other in striving towards our best selves, celebrating small victories, and overcoming challenges.

By tracking my +1s, I’m motivated to maintain a balanced, productive, and fulfilling life. Join our community, share your progress, and let’s see how high we can go together!

Escape the Race – Redefine Success, Live Freely.