Tag: goals

How to Read More Books in 2022

~ Swisa A ~ Leave a comment

The start of the new year brings with it joy, hope and a new chance to start over or improve on the things that didn’t go quite so well. Everything can always be improved upon and made even better. It’s a matter of if you are willing to or not. One of my goals this year is to read more books. In this digital age, I find myself always reading, but it’s mostly news, online articles, papers, and researching on websites. Reading a book is different, it lets you become totally immersed in the book, the idea, the running theme of the book for several hundred pages. It lets you dwell and spend valuable time with it. 

Last year, I managed to read more books than the previous year, however, I still have a pile of books waiting to be read.  My husband, who likes actionable goals, would ask me how many more books would be considered “more” and when would it be “enough.” What would be my plan for achieving this goal?

Regarding the number of books, I am not going to compare myself to those who read 100 to 250 books or year or roughly 2-4 books in a week.  Although that was me in my young, school days when I didn’t have the responsibilities of an adult, the question then remains how many books should I read? Do I need a numerical goal or should the focus be on how much indeed I get from these books?

On the number of books to read in a year, a study by Kantar Insights in 2019 surveyed British readers and found that although more than half (54%) had read a book in the past year, only 34% or readers managed to read 10 or more books.  In the US, according to the Pew Research Center which surveyed Americans in early 2021, a quarter said they had not read a book in whole or in part in the past year. This is whether in print, electronic, or audio form. Those who did, read an average of 12 books per year. The survey has several interesting insights concerning demographics but I won’t go into that here. 

Researching how best it was to read more books, I’ve selected some insights which I personally have tried and work for me and some which I need to work on

  1. Set an attainable goal for yourself. Start with one book per month or if you are finding that you are finishing it early, read another.  Don’t make it it stressful. Reading books need to be enjoyable and not add to the daily stress of life.
  2. Choose books that keep you wanting to read.  Don’t be afraid to put down a book half way through if you don’t like it or don’t know why you are reading it. We’ve all clicked on that bad movie on Netflix or chosen a book that showed promises but turned out a disappointment.  Don’t waste precious time on it. Put it down and away. You don’t have to be a ‘winner’ when it comes to reading books. 
  3. Read a diverse variety of books simultaneously. Rotate your reading between several books. I like a good fiction novel yet also I like books that are non-fiction and ones that help me grow personally. Read whatever genre comes to you when you feel like reading. You don’t have to read only one book before you move onto the next. You may read four to five books simultaneously. Read that fun book before bed. Read the non-fiction during the day or vice verse.
  4. Take it with you wherever you go.  Don’t rely on our “smart” mobile phones when you have wait time. Bring your book with you wherever you go so that when you find yourself with a bit of extra time, you can just bring it out and enjoy a few pages of the book. Use a kindle or download the app if you don’t want to carry a physical book around. 
  5. Find your reading nook. Do you have a favourite place you can just sit and read without being distracted?  Find your reading nook, make sure it’s well lit and comfortable. Bring your favourite drink. 
  6. Know yourself. By this, I mean to know your own eyes. For a long time I didn’t realise I didn’t finish some books because I was reading books printed in small fonts. Somewhere along in time, my eyes grew old, I became long-sighted and did not want to read the tiny fonts. I changed to buy books printed in big fonts or using a kindle where I can easily increase the font size. Reading became once again pleasurable. Oh, and of course my progressive lens helped. 
  7. Join a book club or set up a book club.  Discuss the books with a group. Reading is fun and not necessarily a lone activity. Hearing other views may open you up to new ideas.

I hope you find these tips useful. Happy reading ! 

Happy New Year 2017

~ Swisa A ~ 1 Comment

Happy New Year my readers! First of all, I’d like to thank all my readers for your comments and for sharing your updates with me. Although I have not written as much as I would have liked to, some of you have continued to keep touch and in the meanwhile inspired me as well. 
Looking back, 2016 for me was probably one of the craziest, funniest and unexpected years in a long time. There were so many changes going on both globally, in Thailand and within my work itself. Changes to challenge us all. I’m also grateful for all my family and friends. It’s been a year of reunions with friends from times past and a year of unexpected happenings. So much is going on, the question now is what are we going to do in 2017?  
For 2017, I hope you continue to stay healthy, exercise and have some ‘Me’ Time. With those things, we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Stay focused and ‘just do it’ I wish you all lots of success in all you endeavour.

Lots of love from snowy Japan somewhere in between the airport and Otaru.

PS. I’m going to start blogging about Tokyo, Otaru and snowboarding now so keep posted!

Press “Start” and “Go”

~ Swisa A ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been away from my blog this past two months and I have missed it dearly.  After a hectic two months (which really isn’t any excuse) I am now settling down in my new house, new life and getting routines sorted out.  The other day I went back to the gym after a few weeks of absence due to my sprained ankle and was immediately commented by one of the regulars there about my absence, “It’s hard to get back in pace once you stop exercise.”  I smiled and nodded in response, “Yes it definitely is.  I will now be coming back again regularly.”

It has been hard to get back into pace and fighting the “lazy me” is no easy job.  Sometimes you fall behind your goals but as long as you keep working on it and pushing forth, it will be better than just giving up and never continuing on with your goal.  For me, saying these thoughts and promises to oneself and out loud gives me an incentive to keep my promise.  I feel it an obligation to keep my word.

The same applies for everything.

So here’s my word.  I’ve pressed “Start” and now I am in “Go”.  Tomorrow morning I am going to run.  Next week I am going to Amsterdam so keep watch.  I’m excited, I can’t remember the last time I was there. It must have been over ten years ago!!

What state are you in now? Are you ready to press “Start” and “Go”?

 

Relationships..What is it you want?

~ Swisa A ~ Leave a comment

I finally finished watchng Season 4 of Gossip Girls and can’t help but wonder at its strange appeal.  It’s crazy, it’s a high school story, but somehow it’s fun to watch even if I’m way beyond my highschol years.  Perhaps it’s because it is somewhat reflective of life and it makes you think about the good and bad parts of life.  In a year of these characters’s life,  more events and scandals happen than would ever happen in my entire lifetime.  Yet, there are a thing or two one could contemplate about when thinking about these characters’s choice of boyfriends/girlfriends.  What sort of person are they looking for? What is it they want in life?  These are questions I think are relevant at any age.

Blair wants a fairy tale life with a fairy tale prince.  She finds one and they are soon engaged to be married, yet somehow she still feels for the adventurous and raw Chuck Bass.  She was almost going to give up the fairy tale for him, but then Chuck decided for her.  She’s going to marry prince charming.

I wonder if prince charming really exists.  I wonder if Blair has fully contemplated what she wants in life for all that glitters is not gold.   Perhaps what she wished for might not be what she needs.

In every relationship, in every life, I think it’s about learning to see the good and the bad in another person.    It involves a process of learning and understanding the other person and their needs.  It’s not only about their title and their name.  Once you understand them and see who they truly are, then you can decide if certain faults can be overlooked.  If you decide these faults are ones you don’t mind, then it work at it.   If you cannot accept them, move on.   Don’t wait for someone perfect for there’s no one perfect in this world. By definition, perfect does not exist.

Then there’s the issue of what is it you value in life?  What are the things you hold most important and dear?  What is it you want most in life?

Some want fame and money.  Some want someone to be by their side.  Some want honesty.   It depends.  There’s no right or wrong answer, each person has different needs and wants, you just have to find out what your need is and if they match.  It’s not easy.  Some spend a lifetime trying to find out what it is they want in life.  Some never find out.  Some lucky ones have.

I think these are things that Blair should think about. I know it’s a series, but maybe we’ll see them grow up next season.  Chuck already has somewhat, for now he knows it’s better to let someone go and let them be happy than hold on to them for himself.  If everyone knew what they want, imagine what a happy world this would be.  Less scandals, less heart break, less sadness.

Do you know? What do you think? Please share.

Little by Little

~ Swisa A ~ Leave a comment

It’s been a few days since this writer last wrote and already I can feel the fingers and mind get a little rusty.  The words don’t flow quite as easily and the fingers have a little hesitation.  Or perhaps it’s my headaches that are slowing things down.  Whatever it is, there’s no excuse.  If you want to practice something or face a daunting task, I suggest do start doing it little by little.

For example, if you want to practice writing.  Keeping a blog is wonderful.  It lets you write a little each day.  Little by little each day you get to practice writing.  If you don’t want to publish, keep a little journal. Practice your handwriting.  My handwriting is awful now.  I type faster than I write.

If you want to lose weight and you have a two digit goal like 10kgs, the task can seem very daunting.

Where do you start? Where to begin? Some people give up just thinking about it and revert back to eating.  It seems too difficult. I fear I will not survive. I fear I would not succeed.  I fear I will not lose weight.  I fear it will yet be another failed attempt at dieting.  Our fears are endless.  There is a never-ending list of fears we have.  So forget about the fears and just do it.

So my suggestion tonight is if you have a big project ahead of you.  No matter how large, how daunting, what you can do is break it down into little pieces.  Make the goals achievable.  If you want to start writing, write just a few sentences.  Who said you had to write entire essays everytime? Essays that have to be perfect?

If you want to lose weight, aim first to lose 2kgs or 5kgs.  These are achievable goals.  Once you reach them, move them out.  Lose another two or another five.  By the time you finish, you’d have accumulated more weightloss than you first realize.  2kgs + 5kg+3kgs and voila, its already 10kgs!

Remember this: overcome your fears and break tasks  into small achievable goals.  If you can do this, then you can do anything you want in life. (Of course you can’t turn into a toad, unless you had a magic potion.  And  yes, I have to keep reminding myself of this also. It’s not easy, but its achievable)

A Gift for Birthdays

~ Swisa A ~ Leave a comment

Every year just before my birthday, I get into a frenzy and decide I have to make a resolution.  It’s a relatively new phenomenon for me thats been happening ever since I hit my thirties. I suppose it’s the sudden realization that I am no longer young.  Each passing year, means another year of my life has passed and there are fewer to look forward to.

We grow up hearing abuout New Year Resolutions, but I wonder why can’t we have Birthday Resolutions? It sounds so much more fun.   Each year just before our birthdays, we can all make resolutions.  Resolutions for ourselves. Resolutions that we want, whether it be taking better care of our health, or finishing that project we’ve been planning for years.

You start off these resolutions at your own pace, your own time.  The focus is on you. Afterall, it’s your birthday.   It’s “Me” Time resolutions to remind us that these are goals we set for ourselves and sincerely want to get done.  Remember though that “wanting” is not sufficient.  We have to also “JUST DO IT”!  Get it done and off your “To Do List” before there’s no time.

Make a Birthday Resolution. It’s the best gift you can give yourself.  Happy Birthday!

Forgive, Forget, and Move On

~ Swisa A ~ 1 Comment

The weekend is over and I’ve returned to busy Bangkok after a peaceful weekend in the mountains.  I have to say that when I’m there the days seem longer and the nights more relaxing.  There isn’t any traffic for us to get stuck in and when you wake up, you are greeted by temperatures of 18 degrees celsius.  It’s just sublime.   You feel light as a feather.  You also find yourself when you are there. 

So I found myself a little more this past weekend and a little more I realize who I am.  How can I NOT know myself?  Believe me, I don’t yet fully know “me.”  (By knowing, I mean you truly evaluate all your actions and your thoughts and you know EXACTLY where and why they are the way they are.  I don’t mean your name and your place in life.  That we all know.  I’m talking about a much deeper level of understanding “me.” )  It’s all about understanding the motives, reasoning, and emotions behind our actions.

Once we find and understand ourselves, we can make ourselves a better human being. 

Let’s put it in easy terms.  A reason why many of us gain weight.

For example, when I am stressed I find myself emotionally eating and I shop.  I shop everything.   I eat a lot more than I should and I spend more than I should.  It’s one way of relieving stress.  However, if I never look ‘within’ and discover what is driving me to eat a lot and shop a lot, I would not be able to relieve that stress.  I’d get even more stressed from the weight I gain and stressed from the bills waiting to be paid.  It’s a vicious cycle.

It could be a cycle that eventually blows out of proportions.  It goes like this:   I’m unhappy because I lack something.  I could be lonely.   I’m unhappy so I eat to forget.  Eating is equal to happiness.  Eating drowns out the unhappiness, so I start eating more and more.  My appetite increases. I gain weight.  I starting gaining lots of weight.  I see my weight gain and I get depressed. How can I lose all this weight?  It looks unachievable.  I eat more becaused I’m depressed I’ve gained weight and losing it seems impossible.  I tell myself it’s really nothing.  My weight shouldn’t be an issue.  People should see my “inner beauty.”  I get mad at people who don’t see my “inner beauty.”  I am a great person.  I’m awesome.  I eat more, I gain more weight.   My weight runs out of control.

I could go on and on, but I suppose you know by now where I’m heading.

This year, whether it be for physical or mental health, I ask you to seriously take time out and make some time to find yourself.  Forgive those who have hurt us and forgive yourself for having hurt others.  By doing so, you can move on with life and get a renewed sense of life and energy.  Lose that burden of weight and stress and embrace life. It’s so short.  Who knows what will happen tomorrow?

Have a blessed year ahead everyone.

A Thousand Dreams

~ Swisa A ~ 2 Comments

I like to dream.  I dream of all the things I want to do and be.  I dream that one day I’ll be able to play golf like a pro.  I dream that one day I’ll sing like a bluebird.  I dream of traveling the world and having my own set of books.

I dream so many things that I wonder where to start.  Each day, each week, I come up with a new dream.  I wonder if this lifetime I’d be able to accomplish them all. There are just so many things to do in life. I have work, I have family, I have errands, I have social obligations.  Perhaps I need to have nine lives like a cat.

As said matter of factly by Alex:  “We only have 24 hours in day.”

It’s important to dream your dreams, but its also important to focus your energy on what dream you want to accomplish most and when.

If your immediate goal is to lose weight, then ignore all your other dreams for the moment and focus on losing weight.  It’ll take time.  It always takes time to accomplish a goal, and if you don’t focus all your energy on it, it’ll be hard to be successful.  There is no magic bullet, no magic pill.  Everything requires hard work.  It took  me half a year to lose 15kgs of my weight.  During that time, everything else was set aside.  I made time for my goal.   It wasn’t easy, but now it’s done, it’s done. 

I have crossed it off my “To Do” list forever.    It was worth it.  Everyday I am so happy I did it.

Once you get that goal over and done, you can then start on your next goal whatever that might be.  It’s through this succession of focus and prioritization that you will be able to accomplish all you want to.  Maybe you won’t accomplish all of the dreams you dreamt, but at least you’d have accomplished the dreams you really wanted most.

If you really want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to do it.  If not, there’s always an excuse. 🙂