Every Saturday I publish a report reflecting on the previous week. These reflections exist to demonstrate my progress, share my experiences and help transfer what I learn to others.

 

The Past Week

This week’s goal was to build my business’ foundation by updating my website, listing down and understanding my current skill set, researching the relevant markets and planning my future goals and next steps to take. You see, what I wish to achieve this work year (September 2014 – July 2015) is to answer two main questions:

1 – Can I make a “livable” income entirely online using my skills and interests?

2 – Is this life-and-work style the right one for me?

I’ve decided the best way to go about this, is for at least the first 6 months to only use skills I already have to build products. Right now what am confident of using is my development (mobile apps, games, websites), 3D modeling and writing skills. I researched online markets and possible way of monetizing my skills, and decided to make a game for my first project with a focus on innovative gameplay, since my art skills are lacking. I have already begun working on a concept and built a prototype last month, and will continue exploring possibilities with it.

The main problem I had this week is procrastination. Although I completed my tasks for the week, I did end up wasting hours and this is a problem I must solve now if I want to accomplish my goals.

 

Analyzing Problems

The main two reasons why it took me so much will power to start, was because:

1. I was tired and lacked sleep. I use an alarm to get up 7am everyday, but due to fluctuating sleep time I ended up sleeping too little.

2. I didn’t have a strict schedule.

 

What’s Next

I have a neat little trick up my sleeve for fixing my sleep while waking up on time without an alarm, which I’ve been using for years, and silly me didn’t use it last week. Interested in knowing what it is? Well, just tell your sub-you to wake you up!.

o.o

I know it sounds crazy, but try it. When you go to sleep and after laying down a few minutes and you start to doze off, make an effort to scream inside your head WAKE UP AT 7AM! Or whatever time you want to wake up in. It helps to visualize the words and numbers, I also find it particularly useful to imagine my sub-conscious as her own person while giving me the thumbs up that she’ll wake me, and it works like a charm!*

*DISCLAIMER: This technique isn’t perfect, the time you actually wake up will differ from your target depending on when you sleep. Especially because no matter what, the brain will wake you up only when you’ve slept enough, and this tends to be in blocks of 1.5hrs.

So, what I’ll try to accomplish next week is figuring out the main mechanic of the game I’ll be building. I’ll also try out a stricter schedule, working from 8am till 3pm with a lunch break, and avoiding the alarm as much as possible.

I hope you enjoyed this reflection (and don’t think of me as crazy…). I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please comment below 🙂

Cheers!