I'm Mateo,
a digital nomad, designer, and marketer with a strong belief in the power of learning and experiencing new things through the cycle of life.
Last month I have started an adventure, I called it the 30 day challenge. I decided to put myself to the test of waking up early, having a strict routine and being perfect for 30 days. I’ve failed my own challenge.
But, this is what I learned…
Recap
For the last 30 days I have decided to challenge myself and complete a set of goals I established for my self:
I chose these goals because I realized there were areas in my life that needed improvement. I believed that spending excessive time watching YouTube or Netflix was a waste. I thought that meditating for just 30 minutes a day would help reduce my stress levels. I also believed that taking a break from work for a day would restore my energy and make me more productive in the following week.
Everything seemed ideal, so I decided to begin my pursuit of these goals and I failed after 2 weeks.
Why I Failed?
After two weeks had passed, I decided to quit. The time I spent doing this challenge didn’t have any impact on me, and I simply returned to my routine before the challenge.
Except, my routine before the challenge didn’t lack discipline. I still get things done. I don’t meditate every day, and on occasion, I spend the whole day doing nothing or watching series.
I had approached the challenge with determination, convinced that it would transform me into a new and improved version of myself. And the problem I realized is that I am a perfectionist, not just in design but in life as well.
After the challenge I took some time to reflect on why I failed and what I could change about my approach. I realized that setting up such strict goals and routines was not entirely in line with my nature and lifestyle as a digital nomad and that life will never be perfect. But, rather than seeing this as a defeat, I chose to view it as a learning opportunity.
I understand now that the key to personal development is not about creating an idealistic routine and sticking to it come what may. It’s about understanding one’s own rhythms, strengths, and weaknesses and adapting the routine accordingly.
Future Challenges?
I’m not going to set myself up for failure by creating unachievable goals that don’t align with my life and my values. Instead, I’m going to focus on setting goals that are challenging but achievable and that align with my lifestyle and values.
For example, I’ve realized that a strict 7:00 AM wake-up call doesn’t work for me, as sometimes my work as a digital nomad demands flexibility in my schedule. Instead, I’ve decided to focus on ensuring that I get a full 8 hours of sleep each night, no matter when that sleep begins or ends. This approach feels more natural and less forced, and I’m hopeful it will lead to better results.
I’ve also decided to be more forgiving of myself when it comes to screen time. Rather than strictly limiting my time on YouTube or Netflix, I’m going to focus on using these platforms for learning and inspiration, turning them from a waste of time into a valuable resource.
Learn from Mistakes
Finally, I’ve learned that I don’t need to be perfect. Instead of striving for perfection, I’m going to strive for progress. This means celebrating small wins, acknowledging my efforts, and realizing that each step I take is bringing me closer to my goals, even if I’m not there yet.
If you made it to the end, I would like to thank you for reading. Feel free to message me, if you are just starting or already are an entrepreneur I am always open to talk to new people and listen to new ideas!
For a brief period, I’m excited to launch an exclusive newsletter. Access will be granted to just 50 individuals. This provides an opportunity for us to connect and engage in meaningful conversations.
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Mateo Jakelic
