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
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
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
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
shaving
reader(s),
the 10 days have passed by again and i have succesfully incorporated the recommended method of ablution and it has had the desired effect.
the next habit i have chosen to take on is shaving three times a week.
every monday, wednesday and saturday i will shave - not trim mind - just shave.
i will probably trim twice a week - but thats a habit for another time.
in the last two months i have trimmed my beard regularly and therefore dont find there a problem for me to solve but shaving has been.
its such a pain shaving - cos more often than not - trimming with the shaver head off is almost as good as a shave - problem is it is not quite... and therefore i am not going to settle for almost looking as good as i can..
looking good is feeling good.. and feelng good exudes goodness.. both in terms of sales and just general feel good factor in life and thats what i want.
last two weeks i have hoovered only once... but not out of laziness.. the house has just been clean.
i have also prayed a little late (not qaza) once or twice because i was watching football till half time... but alls well.
parents are back in two days... the holidys almost over..
nothing else to really report.
peace
the 10 days have passed by again and i have succesfully incorporated the recommended method of ablution and it has had the desired effect.
the next habit i have chosen to take on is shaving three times a week.
every monday, wednesday and saturday i will shave - not trim mind - just shave.
i will probably trim twice a week - but thats a habit for another time.
in the last two months i have trimmed my beard regularly and therefore dont find there a problem for me to solve but shaving has been.
its such a pain shaving - cos more often than not - trimming with the shaver head off is almost as good as a shave - problem is it is not quite... and therefore i am not going to settle for almost looking as good as i can..
looking good is feeling good.. and feelng good exudes goodness.. both in terms of sales and just general feel good factor in life and thats what i want.
last two weeks i have hoovered only once... but not out of laziness.. the house has just been clean.
i have also prayed a little late (not qaza) once or twice because i was watching football till half time... but alls well.
parents are back in two days... the holidys almost over..
nothing else to really report.
peace
Saturday, 11 April 2009
next habit in line..
hello guys
the last 10 days i committed to brushing my teeth twice a day.
i have achieved this easily.
i forced myself to do this even when i went to sleep after 1 am and was still eating or drinking at this time.
this ensured i achieved that i went to bed with my teeth clean from the sugar consumed in the day.
my next challenge is to perform the recommended method of ablution before the five dailly prayers rather than merely the obligatory one.
the reason for this is that by forcing myself to remember to do the recommended one, i become more conscious of what i am doing rather than merely going through the motions.
also the recommended manner ensures a smoother operation as often times in the past my hands have been nearly dry by the time it came to finishing off the ablution making it impossible to wipe the feet making them wet - meaning i had to do it again.
this probably wont make sense to any non-muslims and even non shi'ite muslims.. and come to think of it maybe even some shi'ites - but i know what it means and the challenge is for me.
once i have done this for 10 days i will be back with the next one. i will try to make the next one more universal for everybody.
just to keep this interesting :)
peace
the last 10 days i committed to brushing my teeth twice a day.
i have achieved this easily.
i forced myself to do this even when i went to sleep after 1 am and was still eating or drinking at this time.
this ensured i achieved that i went to bed with my teeth clean from the sugar consumed in the day.
my next challenge is to perform the recommended method of ablution before the five dailly prayers rather than merely the obligatory one.
the reason for this is that by forcing myself to remember to do the recommended one, i become more conscious of what i am doing rather than merely going through the motions.
also the recommended manner ensures a smoother operation as often times in the past my hands have been nearly dry by the time it came to finishing off the ablution making it impossible to wipe the feet making them wet - meaning i had to do it again.
this probably wont make sense to any non-muslims and even non shi'ite muslims.. and come to think of it maybe even some shi'ites - but i know what it means and the challenge is for me.
once i have done this for 10 days i will be back with the next one. i will try to make the next one more universal for everybody.
just to keep this interesting :)
peace
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
60 days
Readers,
sixty days have passed since my journey to transform my life through incorporating a new habit every 10 days. the last 10 days was spent trying to incorporate a habit of sleeping at midnight.i failed miserably virtually every night and have come to the conclusion that this is not even a habit that is important to make at this stage in life considering i can wake up at 9 15 am every morning on working days giving me plenty of sleeping time even if i sleep at 1!
i also 'broke' the hoovering habit as i didnt hoover on the last sunday gone by. having said that, the house was clean and so i decided there was no point doing so just to keep a habit. the house has subsequently got dirty and i will certainly hoover tomorrow.
the next habit i aim to incorporate starting from tomorrow is to brush my teeth twice a day - once before i shower and once before i sleep.
this wont result in me sleeping later.. as its a 2 min job.
it will ensure my teeth are always clean.. and that i stop eating sweets, chocolate and other junk after i have brushed.
its a very simple and minor thing but im sure there are loads of us who have half mentally commited to this many many times yet never maintain it.
i am committing to this for 10 days.
(thats not to say i will stop after 10 days... but a 10 day commitment is lss threatening)
thus far i have stopped nothing i started except the sleep thing... and thats a positive.. because it shows i am not a robot.
i look forward to 10 days of fresh breath and clean teeth.
i shall be back on the 10th of april to share how my experience went.
peace
sixty days have passed since my journey to transform my life through incorporating a new habit every 10 days. the last 10 days was spent trying to incorporate a habit of sleeping at midnight.i failed miserably virtually every night and have come to the conclusion that this is not even a habit that is important to make at this stage in life considering i can wake up at 9 15 am every morning on working days giving me plenty of sleeping time even if i sleep at 1!
i also 'broke' the hoovering habit as i didnt hoover on the last sunday gone by. having said that, the house was clean and so i decided there was no point doing so just to keep a habit. the house has subsequently got dirty and i will certainly hoover tomorrow.
the next habit i aim to incorporate starting from tomorrow is to brush my teeth twice a day - once before i shower and once before i sleep.
this wont result in me sleeping later.. as its a 2 min job.
it will ensure my teeth are always clean.. and that i stop eating sweets, chocolate and other junk after i have brushed.
its a very simple and minor thing but im sure there are loads of us who have half mentally commited to this many many times yet never maintain it.
i am committing to this for 10 days.
(thats not to say i will stop after 10 days... but a 10 day commitment is lss threatening)
thus far i have stopped nothing i started except the sleep thing... and thats a positive.. because it shows i am not a robot.
i look forward to 10 days of fresh breath and clean teeth.
i shall be back on the 10th of april to share how my experience went.
peace
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