Readers,
Ten more days have passed since the introduction of my last habit.
thankfully i have managed to fulfil my latest commitment of daily exercise through press ups and a five minute abs work out i found on youtube.
i cant really see any physical change yet but its only been 10 days and i havent changed my diet as well so theres a lot more progress to be made in terms of health, fitness and physique but its a good start.
The next habit i am going to strive to incorporate is 15 mins reading as a bare minimum every day. This does not include newspapers, websites, magazines, post or teletext. It must be a book. i am not going to try to incorporate a habit of reading non fiction only... as i just want to incorporate the habit of actually reading and can refocus my efforts into what i want to be reading later.
I feel this is an important habit because it will keep my mind sharp, keep my vocabulary constantly improving and evolving and most importantly - reading is probably the greatest source of gaining knowledge.
I wont bother documenting what i read on this blog but if i come across any particularly fantastic books, i will let you know. I also welcome suggestions for reading material of all genres.
Although i am writing about the attempt of my new habit now, i actually have already done my readng for today. Most likely i will do my reading for the day after the morning prayer and exercise. Again it is not important when i fit it in as long as i do and every single day to make it a habit which i must do before i can sleep at night.
i havent spent any more time revising for my theory driving test because i feel it is a game of luck... will do a mock hazard perception and a coupla practise quesiton tests on my days off between now and the theory test.... but dont go in with any great conviction that *i will pass* because i consider it the same as roling a dice.
having said that, i will keep rolling till it lands right :)
thats all for today. i will be back in 10 days to let you all know how the addition of this new habit is going and what my next habit will be.
peace
Sunday 31 May 2009
Wednesday 27 May 2009
theory test
Readers,
This is a post just to let off some steam... rather than reflect on habits as per usual.
I failed my theory test yesterday having scored 50/50 on the multiple choice aspect of the question but only 38/75 on the hazard perception element of the test.
What i have come to realise is that the hazard perception test was created entirely to extort more money out of would be motorists. After all, it is impossible to pass the practical test which is ultra strict (with only a 43% nationwide pass rate) if you have not got hazard perception skills!
Therefore having this 'computer game' like test which is a lot harder to pass than it should be due to ridiculous rules and the refusal of the government to properly explain how the software works makes me frustrated and angry but no longer embarassed about it.
After all, the pass mark for the theory is 63%. Thats right only 63%!!! for a theory!! but there you go.
i was hoping to be able to officially give up the whole revising for the theory test thing.. but as i have rebooked it - i need to continue to revise.. however im gonna stop revising for the multiple choice element till 4 or 5 days before the test and focus entirely on the hazard perception. Having been penalised twice for clicking too much i am determined to not let this happen again. Therefore I am introducing how i will handle my next test to prevent this:
i) maximum 8 clicks per clip
ii) wait at least two seconds between clicks
iii) wait approx 1.5 seconds after you have spotted 'developing hazard' before clicking and avoid clicking for it again as it develops further.. unless further 'clues' pop up and remember the two second rule - v. v. important!
iv) a developing hazard can be one of the following:
a) cyclists
b) pedestrians
c) children
d) motorcycles
e) disabled cars
f) zebra crossings
g) red lights
h) roadworks
i) lollipop man
j) animals (horses, sheep)
k) cars joing main road from side streets
l) cars indicating
m) car doors opening
n) cars performing maneouvres
o) cars slowing down
v) Do not click because the driver has changed lane because of parked cars when there is no sign of the above - its waaasting clicks!
vi) do not click because a driver has taken a left or right turn. Only if they have to slow down or change direction because of the 15 odd points mentioned above.
I could be wrong with my assessment above so please nobody use it as though it is 'proven advice' on how to pass the hazard perception... but once i retake my test in three weeks and hopefully pass... i will let you know how well it worked/didnt!
that is all.
be back in a few days with details of my new habit.
peace
This is a post just to let off some steam... rather than reflect on habits as per usual.
I failed my theory test yesterday having scored 50/50 on the multiple choice aspect of the question but only 38/75 on the hazard perception element of the test.
What i have come to realise is that the hazard perception test was created entirely to extort more money out of would be motorists. After all, it is impossible to pass the practical test which is ultra strict (with only a 43% nationwide pass rate) if you have not got hazard perception skills!
Therefore having this 'computer game' like test which is a lot harder to pass than it should be due to ridiculous rules and the refusal of the government to properly explain how the software works makes me frustrated and angry but no longer embarassed about it.
After all, the pass mark for the theory is 63%. Thats right only 63%!!! for a theory!! but there you go.
i was hoping to be able to officially give up the whole revising for the theory test thing.. but as i have rebooked it - i need to continue to revise.. however im gonna stop revising for the multiple choice element till 4 or 5 days before the test and focus entirely on the hazard perception. Having been penalised twice for clicking too much i am determined to not let this happen again. Therefore I am introducing how i will handle my next test to prevent this:
i) maximum 8 clicks per clip
ii) wait at least two seconds between clicks
iii) wait approx 1.5 seconds after you have spotted 'developing hazard' before clicking and avoid clicking for it again as it develops further.. unless further 'clues' pop up and remember the two second rule - v. v. important!
iv) a developing hazard can be one of the following:
a) cyclists
b) pedestrians
c) children
d) motorcycles
e) disabled cars
f) zebra crossings
g) red lights
h) roadworks
i) lollipop man
j) animals (horses, sheep)
k) cars joing main road from side streets
l) cars indicating
m) car doors opening
n) cars performing maneouvres
o) cars slowing down
v) Do not click because the driver has changed lane because of parked cars when there is no sign of the above - its waaasting clicks!
vi) do not click because a driver has taken a left or right turn. Only if they have to slow down or change direction because of the 15 odd points mentioned above.
I could be wrong with my assessment above so please nobody use it as though it is 'proven advice' on how to pass the hazard perception... but once i retake my test in three weeks and hopefully pass... i will let you know how well it worked/didnt!
that is all.
be back in a few days with details of my new habit.
peace
Thursday 21 May 2009
Exercise
Readers,
My last habit i committed to was polishing my shoes on tuesdays. I have successfully done this and am happy my shoes are almost always now looking in tip top shape.
i have also been doing mock tests for my theory test - which has been a doddle.. except there is no proper way to revise for the hazard perception. still i have done some reading around it and want to share for anyone who stumbles across this site per chance and hasnt done it yet.
there are 14 video clips which are all approximately one minute long. In these 14 videos there are countless hazards - of which only 15 *materialise*. This means 15 hazards *actually* become a problem which the driver (whose eys you are looking through) has to take action by either changing speed or direction.
The test ONLY marks the candidate for the hazards which *actually* materialise.
Each hazard is marked out 5. The quicker you click on the screen to say you identified the hazard, the more marks you get. Once a hazard is materialising to the moment it finishes, you can register as many clicks as you want without fear of 'cheating'.
My tactics: *click twice reasonably early on as a hazard is developing - and click up to 5 or even 6 times when a hazard is in full swing*.
Ok thats all on the past.
The next habit i am choosing for myself from today is to perform approximately 10 minutes of exercise every single day.
This is through two forms of exercise:
i) 10 press ups.
ii) approx 3 mins of stomach crunchers.
i have not decided if it will be done in the mornings or nights, the important thing is it will be done every single day without fail.
i will be back in 10 days to let you all know how it goes.
If i insha allah pass my theory test next tuesday, i am sure there will be a 'bonus' post letting you all know and also taking the pleasure in being allowed to remove this habit of studying for it in the mornings!
that is all
peace
My last habit i committed to was polishing my shoes on tuesdays. I have successfully done this and am happy my shoes are almost always now looking in tip top shape.
i have also been doing mock tests for my theory test - which has been a doddle.. except there is no proper way to revise for the hazard perception. still i have done some reading around it and want to share for anyone who stumbles across this site per chance and hasnt done it yet.
there are 14 video clips which are all approximately one minute long. In these 14 videos there are countless hazards - of which only 15 *materialise*. This means 15 hazards *actually* become a problem which the driver (whose eys you are looking through) has to take action by either changing speed or direction.
The test ONLY marks the candidate for the hazards which *actually* materialise.
Each hazard is marked out 5. The quicker you click on the screen to say you identified the hazard, the more marks you get. Once a hazard is materialising to the moment it finishes, you can register as many clicks as you want without fear of 'cheating'.
My tactics: *click twice reasonably early on as a hazard is developing - and click up to 5 or even 6 times when a hazard is in full swing*.
Ok thats all on the past.
The next habit i am choosing for myself from today is to perform approximately 10 minutes of exercise every single day.
This is through two forms of exercise:
i) 10 press ups.
ii) approx 3 mins of stomach crunchers.
i have not decided if it will be done in the mornings or nights, the important thing is it will be done every single day without fail.
i will be back in 10 days to let you all know how it goes.
If i insha allah pass my theory test next tuesday, i am sure there will be a 'bonus' post letting you all know and also taking the pleasure in being allowed to remove this habit of studying for it in the mornings!
that is all
peace
Monday 11 May 2009
shoe polishing
readers,
as you are aware, for the last three months or so - i have been introducing a new habit into my life every 10 days in an effort to seek perfection but not too quickly so as to fall flat on my face.
so far things have gone very well. My last task was to revise for my theory test dailly - which fortunately i have managed to do - usually after the morning prayer before going for a second round of sleep.
i have passed my last 15 mock tests so feel very confident on the theory element of the test. unfortunately theres no practise exercises for the hazard perception element of the test. i only just scraped this element last time... but at least i had the experience so i know whats coming.... regardless, 10-15 mins every day doing mock tests should be more than enough to succeed in the main part of the test.
i have also changed my hours from part time to full time at carphone warehouse. this means waking up an hour earlier four days a week including wednesdays which is a hoovering day as well as mondays and saturdays which are now shaving days.
with the change in my working hours as well as the stress and boredom of revising for a theory test every day- i have given myself a very light new habit for the next 10 days. it is a weekly shoe polish. every tuesday i will spend 5-10 mins polishing my shoes. this is important to me because i work in sales and also living in london means you are very likely to walk into a puddle of rain by accident at least once a week and its nothing a good polish wont fix.
i cant envisage any difficulties with this because i even have tuesdays off - i could forget i suppose.. but the first day to do it is tomorrow... and i am not really a forgetful person as such.
i look forward to a lifetime of cleaner and shinier shoes!
that is all
peace
as you are aware, for the last three months or so - i have been introducing a new habit into my life every 10 days in an effort to seek perfection but not too quickly so as to fall flat on my face.
so far things have gone very well. My last task was to revise for my theory test dailly - which fortunately i have managed to do - usually after the morning prayer before going for a second round of sleep.
i have passed my last 15 mock tests so feel very confident on the theory element of the test. unfortunately theres no practise exercises for the hazard perception element of the test. i only just scraped this element last time... but at least i had the experience so i know whats coming.... regardless, 10-15 mins every day doing mock tests should be more than enough to succeed in the main part of the test.
i have also changed my hours from part time to full time at carphone warehouse. this means waking up an hour earlier four days a week including wednesdays which is a hoovering day as well as mondays and saturdays which are now shaving days.
with the change in my working hours as well as the stress and boredom of revising for a theory test every day- i have given myself a very light new habit for the next 10 days. it is a weekly shoe polish. every tuesday i will spend 5-10 mins polishing my shoes. this is important to me because i work in sales and also living in london means you are very likely to walk into a puddle of rain by accident at least once a week and its nothing a good polish wont fix.
i cant envisage any difficulties with this because i even have tuesdays off - i could forget i suppose.. but the first day to do it is tomorrow... and i am not really a forgetful person as such.
i look forward to a lifetime of cleaner and shinier shoes!
that is all
peace
Friday 1 May 2009
its that magical time again
Readers,
10 days have passed since my last habit was added so lets have a quick recap.
i committed to shaving three times a week to keep myself looking groomed at all times without having to worry about getting groomed for any random events like birthdays or weddings.
the good news is that i managed to follow through on this commitment. The bad news is that my razor blade is completely blunt and so the last couple of shaves havent been to the high standard i envisaged. Still i have subsequently replaced it and have vowed to change the blade at least once a month. I have also opted to change the habit from shaving to 'facial hair maintenance' bringing trimming and shaving into a collective habit - trimming when necesary - and shaving as the bare minimum on the three days.
The next habit i have chosen for myself is a transient one which hopefully i can scrap after three weeks. My theory test has expired so i have rebooked the test and my commitment is to put in 30 minutes study minimum every day. This is different from usual as normally i am trying to incorporate a lifelong habit into my life - but this is something i really need to do and making it my commitment will help me achieve. I have gone against my nature by booking the test before starting studying... with the idea being i will be studied up and ready to go by the time it comes rather than get ready and then book.
As always, i will be back in 10 days to share how the commitment is going and make a new one.
its time to put this driving lark to bed once and for all!
peace
10 days have passed since my last habit was added so lets have a quick recap.
i committed to shaving three times a week to keep myself looking groomed at all times without having to worry about getting groomed for any random events like birthdays or weddings.
the good news is that i managed to follow through on this commitment. The bad news is that my razor blade is completely blunt and so the last couple of shaves havent been to the high standard i envisaged. Still i have subsequently replaced it and have vowed to change the blade at least once a month. I have also opted to change the habit from shaving to 'facial hair maintenance' bringing trimming and shaving into a collective habit - trimming when necesary - and shaving as the bare minimum on the three days.
The next habit i have chosen for myself is a transient one which hopefully i can scrap after three weeks. My theory test has expired so i have rebooked the test and my commitment is to put in 30 minutes study minimum every day. This is different from usual as normally i am trying to incorporate a lifelong habit into my life - but this is something i really need to do and making it my commitment will help me achieve. I have gone against my nature by booking the test before starting studying... with the idea being i will be studied up and ready to go by the time it comes rather than get ready and then book.
As always, i will be back in 10 days to share how the commitment is going and make a new one.
its time to put this driving lark to bed once and for all!
peace
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