I spent some time this week writing an operations manual for myself.  It will be called an operations manual because that is better than some of the other titles I thought of for it.  For a long time the working titles was “The Book of Nehemiah.”  Upon further reflection that sounded a bit pompous and even cultish.  I have no desire to appoint myself as a deity.  Really the whole point of this manual I wrote was to have some guidelines and remember things.  These were all notes to myself and I wanted to put them into one place.

It is good to have a plan in life, and this manual is where I am keeping this plan. 

It has a list of some lifetime goals.

It has a list of standards I will hold myself to.

It has a list of super powers I will build.

By super powers I am just talking about skills and knowledge bases that I will build over time.  When I say over time, I mean over the next 10 years or longer.  I believe when you do things for a long time, they start to become a super power.  At Purdue in my classes they would have called these competitive advantages, but I think super powers sound more fun. 

My plan is to just read over this during times like weekly planning sessions.  I have done this before and gotten benefits.  This whole project was just about taking all my systems, and putting them in one place.  I think having concrete written lists and plans can be very helpful.  They provide clarity of purpose and action.  It is my hope that in years this manual does it’s job and keeps me on the path I want to be on.

This all makes me question what other kinds of manuals and guidelines should I be making for myself?

I wonder if other people do this kind of thing.  So if you do this kind of thing reach out, I want to know what kind of operations manuals you have built for yourself.

Every week I spend a lot of time reading and looking for new ways to get stronger, healthier and more awesome.  Here are some of the best things I have found this week.

Strength and Conditioning

Really good dive into conjugate training with Mark Bell and Jess Burdick.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgUb8ZHGkJk

Some really good things to think about regarding strength training.  https://bretcontreras.com/3-tips-faster-strength-gains/

Nutrition

A good article with some nice details about the fat loss process.  https://www.elitefts.com/education/why-your-diet-isnt-working/