So the dates on the calendar has changed, another year of hope, optimism and aspiration has dawned on us, the resolution test has been cleared by some and failed by many. We are 24 days into the year of 2016 and it is only apt that I once again talk about the ‘E Model’ that I have been writing about since the last few years with a new perspective to this model every year.
If some of you are wondering what am I talking about, fret not my friend, as here are the links to all the perspectives that I have given over the years:
· 2015: This is How I am Avoiding Resolutions:
· 2014: A Year where no Resolutions shall be Broken:
· 2013: No Resolutions. Just Follow the Es:
· 2012: A Year of Four Es:
This year, I did not want to come up with another set of multiple words within the model, because as they say ‘Why fix when something is not broken’. The E Model is working absolutely fine for me and it allows me to become better as a ‘Collector of Experiences’, which is how I like to define myself.
So then, the question that comes to mind is that what will be different or how will I enhance this opportunity of being a Collector of Experiences? For this, I want to declare 2016 as The Year of Extensions for myself. You could also use this model if it works for you.
What this means is that I will be stretching myself. No, no, not stretching myself physically to increase my height (even though I would love to do that if that was possible). This stretching is all about coming out of my comfort zone in various aspects and extending the standard.
Let me try and explain this with concrete examples:
1. So when it comes to running, I have so far been in the range of 5 – 6 km regularly, but this year, I will be stretching myself and extending what I accomplish.
2. In the last few years, my reading of books has come down significantly. Once again, I want to use this year to stretch and extend the number of books that I read.
3. This model of extension will also be used on travel, exploration and other aspects of life.
4. And of course, what this also means that the earlier E Model will continue to be extended further.
Coming out of your comfort zone is not an easy task. It begins with a mindset and an attitude. It means, sometimes shaking off lethargy, laziness, that moment that tells you to press the snooze button, those moments of self-doubt, that urge to spend a few minutes more with your mobile and much more.
As I begin this journey of extensions which should be exciting, I urge you to also join me in this journey and see if it works for you. By the end of 2016, all of us will be proud with the distance that we would have covered.
The irony is that this blog is coming up in the month of February in a year that I am declaring as the ‘Year of Extensions’. So the time has already come to step out of the comfort zone, because magic only happens when you step out of the comfort zone!
