I wrote 30 articles in 30 days. Here’s what I learnt.

The timeless lessons of life

I decided to take part in this challenge as part of fundraising for the Meningitis Research Foundation and to learn and write more about the timeless lessons of life. Here’s a summary:

Summary in numbers:

30 days

30 articles

194 Views

102 Reads

10 Fans

Most views on an article: 23

1 Curation

Summary in words

I somehow managed to do it, to write an article every day, for a month.

The topics ranged from Eisenhower’s decision matrix, a summary of the history of our species, why you should speak less, achieving your goals, to even Stoicism!

Some days have been tough, spending 3 hours researching and collating information for an article, on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for example. On others, ideas have just come to me. Others have involved writing up all of my notes scattered around the house (and chewed up by my dogs). Others involved re-reading passages from books and articles.

Here’s what I learnt:

• You learn a lot about a subject by attempting to present it in a clear and navigable layout. In attempting to teach it to other people, you press it into your own memory. Teaching is one of the best ways to learn.
• At the start of the challenge, I was worried that I would run out of ideas — this was definitely not a problem. There are always things to improve, to learn about, stories to tell…
• I actually love writing.
• I love writing at night — the mind free of obligations by the end of the day, free enough to immerse one’s self in the moment. To enter the flow state through what the Greeks called autotelic activities.
• I was introduced properly to the idea that not everyone can have what is traditionally seen as outward success in our culture. Not everyone can have fame and fortune, and in fact I suggest that not everyone would want to if they truly realised what it meant, if they realised that much of fame and fortune is fleeting, passing after but a moment.
• I learnt that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
• I learnt that even the emperors who had everything that you could possibly dream of, were not satisfied for long.
• I learnt that it is one thing to say something, it is another to actually do it.
• I learnt that if I was to convert just a fraction of the time I spent thinking into doing, the results would be incredible.
• I learnt that change is slow, not fast. It takes months, years to change our inner held beliefs. That is why now is always the best time to start to become better, to be kinder.
• The idea that we should focus on the process and not the outcome was reinforced again and again throughout this challenge. We are like archers who have painstakingly trained and turned up day after day yet knowing of the fact that when we release that arrow, it’s completely out of our control. It may not hit the target — it might even fall short! We are not determined by outcome, therefore. We should focus on the process, on entering complete immersion, and focus with the task in front of us.
• I learnt that the passage of time is relative. I learnt that its passing quickens as we age but can be slowed down, in retrospect, with complete immersion in said activities and the encouragement and exploration of new situations. We should explore and push ourselves.
• I learnt the importance of getting your day off to a good start — of building up that momentum with small wins. This is a significant factor in reducing anxiety in my own life. I want my day to be, as much as it can be, in my hands, especially at the crucial start of the day.
• I learnt that in the big picture, our lives are but a blip. Think about all of those that came before us striving for fame, power and fortune and ended up miserable and unsatisfied. We always want more. Learn, therefore, from the lessons of the past. Read the timeless lessons of the stoic. Read!
• I have also learnt that we are encouraged, in this culture, in the belief that we need to act now, now, now. “Life is short and time is precious.” We are rushed and pushed to act fast. We are pushed to believe that an opportunity may not arise again, so we take it at the expense of our other needs. Yet, what arises often comes again. Be patient and then act with rapidness when the time is right.
• I learnt that the time will never feel right to start a new project or commit to something — you will always have obligations and commitments.
• I learnt it is our duty not to be comfortable but to do good. If that means getting up a bit earlier, then so be it!
• I learnt the importance of friendship, of activities like table tennis. I learnt the importance of family and how you should cherish them whilst you still have them.
• I learnt that dogs bring so, so, so much happiness to life.
• I learnt that appearances are not always to be trusted. Focus less on appearing good and actually be good. Put in the work and let that speak for you.
• I learnt that the world is full of power games — read The 48 Laws of Power.
• Through this challenge I discovered the satisfaction of articulating deeply held beliefs, beliefs felt but not previously spoken.
• I learnt to appreciate the works of others.
• I learnt that reading is one of the best things you can do in life, but applying the lessons you have learnt is even better.
• I learnt that to feel good, you must do good. Set little challenges for yourself, whether cleaning or walking the dogs. Make yourself useful to others. In the process you’ll forge friendships, gain skills, and enjoy the work and process.
• I learnt that everyone can be the best version of themselves . It takes acceptance of your strengths and weaknesses, mental fortitude, hard work, gratitude, and a mission…

There are countless more lessons I learnt but these are some that came to mind. I hope you enjoyed reading this and it inspired you to make a change in your own life.

Day 30/30