As a 5 years+ freelancer, I am always trying to get effective habits that can keep me on the right track. For the last 60 days I've been experimenting push-ups from 9am to 8 pm.
My purpose was to make a quick bio-chemical change in order to achieve the following:
- More energy
- Increase testosterone level
- Get a constant boost of motivation during the work hours
- Get out of the comfort zone and push my limits (this is a big achievement)
- Build muscle mass without going to gym (save $$$ and time)
In the first 2 weeks I felt a lot of frustration because I was not used to that many interruptions.
How I actually did it?
I installed an app on my phone which triggered an alarm each hour, from 9am to 8pm. Just a beep was enough.
I can't tell you how many fu** offs my phone got in the first 2 weeks. If I hear the beep while I eat, I stop. If I hear the beep while I am coding something that needs me to be laser focused, I stop. That really pissed me off but I continued.
What did I gain in the last 2 months of hourly push-ups?
- I've build a better tolerance against interruptions
- I can refocus easier. That's a big win.
- I am more present.
- I am more calm and balanced
- My hands are stronger and the pectoral muscles are 30% bigger.
- My energy level has also increased - I wake up each day at 6 am - before this I had troubles getting up at 8 or 9 am.
- I am more optimistic - I've learned to expect results in 6 months, 1 year - this is a good mental training for entrepreneurs/freelancers
- I increased my confidence and I have the feeling that I can do it - it's just a matter of sticking to the idea and do what you committed to do!
Though during the first 2 weeks I was really frustrated with my new habit, I am more RELAXED now and I recognize the benefits.
So will I continue with this habit?
Yes - I will update again after 365 days and will post some photos too. I am slowly increasing the number of push-ups I do each hour, to maintain the challenge - the purpose is to keep me outside the comfort zone.
So, planning to reach 40 push-ups per hour in the next 6 months. It's just a matter of 30-40 seconds each hour! That's 6-7 minutes of workout per day. Insane results for so little time! Just think about it!
I really encourage you to install this habit if you want to get all these great benefits.
And just ask yourself: "where would you be mentally and physically in 10 years if you would do this daily? What about 20 years?"