“Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else.” – Peter Drucker

 

What is the 100 Days of Productivity challenge?

The 100 Days of productivity challenge is exactly what it sounds like.  Put simply, it encourages individuals to choose at least one productive task to attempt on the daily, for a 100 consecutive days.

The large majority choose to document their progress through social media, with tumblr being one of the most active communities to do so.

It is distinguished by the use the hashtag #100daysofproductivity; however this step is not strictly necessary and is largely left up to preference.

Once you join this challenge, you are expected to tailor it in such a way to suit your needs and aspirations.

How you perform your tasks is completely up to you as there is no set routine to follow.  It is wholly dependent on your day to day schedule, allowing it to be far more lenient and customizable.

A Quick Note on My Personal Challenge

Now as I progress through this challenge, I will be posting weekly updates on this blog and on my tumblr account (audere-noctu).

Allow me to briefly explain what I am studying, just to add a bit of clarity to the situation.

I am high school senior, bound for Medical School and am currently finishing my last stretch of secondary school in the following weeks.

The subjects I am currently studying are:

1. University level Advanced Mathematical Functions
2. University level Kinesiology
3. University level English
4. University level Ancient History After the Fifteenth Century
5. University Level Chemistry

These are the subjects that remain before I graduate in a few weeks, and most of my day to day activities will encompass them.

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Week 1

Day 1 – Tuesday, November 12, 2019 

What I planned to achieve: 

• Finish Studying for my Kinesiology Unit 2 Test (13 lessons)
• Finish solving part 2 of my Rational Functions Unit Assignment
• Read a chapter of “Hardy Boys: The Secret of the Old Mill”.
• 20 minutes of morning yoga

Reflection: 

The day was fairly productive, though I regret to admit that I was unable to read“A Mind for Numbers”. 

I did attempt a part of my Functions Assignment, and got about a quarter of the way through.

However, it seems that I am still a little hesitant when it comes to solving for rational inequalities, so I made it a point to clear my concepts with my tutor before attempting the questions again.

I chose to read the “Hardy Boys: The Secret of the Old Mill” because in comparison to the previous tasks of the day, it was an easy read; allowing me to wind down and relax my mind for a bit.

All in all, definitely a lot of room for improvement but not a bad day by any standards.

Day 2 – Wednesday, November 13, 2019

What I planned to achieve: 

• Read 3 chapters of “Hardy Boys: The Secret of the Old Mill” (Chapters 7 through 9).
• Write my Kinesiology Unit 2 Test.
• Read and study Act I of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• Write a journal entry.
• 20 minutes of morning yoga.

Reflection: 

I had a somewhat productive day. Unfortunately most of it wound up being lost in planning but I’m happy to admit that I’m getting into the swing of things.

I wrote my Kinesiology unit test and passed with a generous 94.87%. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

Doing yoga first thing in the morning is working wonders not only for my body but also for my mood.

I feel lighter and far more energetic afterwards, as opposed to being lazy and sluggish in the mornings like I used to before.

I want to work towards being more productive in the day in terms of my studies and reading, as I am still lacking in those areas.

Day 3 – Thursday, November 14, 2019

• Revise Rational Functions and Inequalities.
• Read 4 chapters of “Hardy Boys: The Secret of the Old Mill” (Chapters 10 through 13).
• Write my Advanced Mathematical Functions Unit 3 Test.
• Finish reading Act I of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• Read and study Act II of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• 20 minutes of morning yoga.

Reflection: 

Not a terrible day in terms of productivity.

I pretty much finished Act I of Hamlet with the exception of scenes IV and V, then revised for my Functions unit test, however due to unforeseen circumstances I had to push it back a day and will be writing it tomorrow evening instead.

I desperately need to catch up on my reading, both for school and my personal projects.

Perhaps I will fare better tomorrow.

Day 4 – Friday, November 15, 2019

• 20 minutes of morning yoga
• Read 3 chapters of “Hardy Boys: The Secret of the Old Mill” (Chapters 14 through 16).
• Finish studying Act II of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• Read and study Act III of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• Volunteer at the Medical Clinic for 2.5 hours.

Reflection: 

I wrote my Functions test today after a setback yesterday and got about a 93%. However, one of the questions was graded unfairly, otherwise I would have received a grade of 97% instead.

I need to email my teacher to dispute the mark and should get around to doing that over the weekend.

I’ve read through nearly all of Act III for Hamlet, with the exception of one scene, not bad if I do say so myself.

I would have aimed to get more done had I not had to work today at the clinic. Luckily, I do not have to volunteer for the next two weeks, allowing me plenty of time to study.

I’d have to say that this would have to be one of the best days of the week in terms of productivity.

Day 5 – Saturday, November 16, 2019

• 20 minutes of morning yoga
• Read 4 chapters of “Hardy Boys: The Secret of the Old Mill” (Chapters 17 through 20).
• Research for and make notes on the case study for the Over-training Assignment in my Kinesiology course.
• Finish and submit the final draft of the Over-training Assignment for Kinesiology.
• Read and study Act IV of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• Study Energy Changes and Rates of Reactions in Chemistry
• Start writing my essay on the Colombian Exchange for World History.

Reflection: 

I regret to admit that today was an utter disaster. Due to a number of appointments and personal setbacks, I was largely unable to keep up with my schedule aside from my morning routine.

I pray that I will be able to do better tomorrow.

Day 6 – Sunday, November 17, 2019,

• 20 minutes of morning yoga
• Read and study Act V of “Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark“.
• Study Energy Changes and Rates of Reactions in Chemistry
• Finish your essay on the Colombian Exchange for World History.
• Plan for next week.

Reflection: 

I woke up a lot later than I would have liked today and that set me back a bit. However, one thing I am proud to admit is that I finally got back to the gym today and had my first productive workout session in a long time.

Getting the exercise in tandem with my yoga routine did wonders for my mood and despite waking up late, it left me feeling refreshed and relaxed.

I will definitely be factoring a workout routine into my daily schedule for the remainder of this challenge.

Aside from that, I revised for my chemistry unit test which will likely be happening early next week, emailed my teacher about the test dispute from earlier this week and got a few errands done with my mother before calling it a night.

I’m curious to see how I perform in the coming weeks.

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Weekly Reflection

• Finished 3 acts of Hamlet
• Wrote 2 unit tests (Kinesiology and Functions)
• Prepared for a Chemistry Unit Test next week.

To say that it’s been a crazy week in terms of scheduling is an understatement. Unfortunately for me, I had planned to have a lot more done by the end of this session. Yet, life has a funny way of messing with things.

I’m not entirely disappointed with the outcomes of my first week but I’m not satisfied with the results either.

I am well aware that I am capable of following the brutal pace I set for myself, and next time I want to work even harder to measure up to the challenge at hand.

I know I can do better. I will do better. I have to be better.

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Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash