My red goals for 2016
I posted my basic model some time ago and got a very small number of comments. I had hoped I might get more, but it is time to get a move on with the model with some minor adjustments.
I think Tier One is mostly met. Obviously, I have food, shelter, clothing, sleep, basic health. I probably should put a small asterisk after sleep as it isn’t the best because of my sleep apnea, but that is mostly a function of weight at the moment. Basic health is fine, I suppose, although ongoing issues with fatigue and occasional neurological/cerebral issues that have no apparent cause. I have taken this past week off to get my crap together as I’ve felt unfocused and unproductive for a few months now, and it’s time to set some direction.
| Category | TIER ONE (Basic Needs) | TIER TWO (Developmental Needs) | TIER THREE (Self-Fulfillment Needs) |
| Red (Expansion, physiological, action-oriented, work) | Food Shelter Clothing Sleep Basic health | Employment Resources Property Functional health | Career development Applied health |
Employment is met, and jumping ahead to career development, I think 2016 will be more about maintenance than trying to make huge gains anywhere. Resources are more than adequate, could benefit from a bit better planning perhaps, and property needs some maintenance.
The real gaps is functional health and applied health. Probably more of a cascade from Tier One (upstream) to Tier Three (downstream). But at least the areas are clear.
In terms of actual activities, I am limiting myself to a maximum of three:
- Regular stretching and yoga to hopefully reduce the need for regular chiro and massage, but a balance of the two will hopefully keep me regular for a while until the benefits of some of the other activities kick in;
- Adding in alternating daily walking and martial arts kata, plus more weekend excursions; and,
- Recertifying my french levels for work.
That’s it, pretty simple for the most part. Except for one thing. I need a slogan for my red activities, something to remind myself that this year is different, and I really want to avoid fluff, nor am I inclined to take much crap from people this year. Not quite the “shit-free” year I had back when I was about 32 or so, I was an asshat for part of that year mostly as I wasn’t taking anything from anyone for any reason. I miss the spine I showed that year, but I’m not willing to go quite that hard-core. The advice for people dealing with “reds”, particularly when briefing them for work, is to “be bright, be brief, be gone”, and that’s not a bad reminder for me, so I’ll work with it.
Be Bright, Be Bold, Be Direct.
I like your goals! I was also recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. While the equipment was hard to get used to for the first 4-5 weeks during the trial period, I am now feeling much better. My sleep is better, no headaches, more focused, blood pressure waaaay down and I’ve lost some weight as well. I don’t think I realized how much bad sleep was impacting daily life. What was your experience? I’m at the point right now where I am about to submit my claim to Sun Life so hopefully it goes smoothly.
I’m in a bit of denial. I went for the sleep test, and I was really turned off by the people. When I met with the doctor, he was telling me I obviously had serious apnea before we even did the tests, and the woman running it at night was like, “Here put this on, get used to it, you’ll need it for life” before we even tried it. With that attitude, what a surprise, they told me to go get the machine, and signed the form before we even discussed the results with a “nudge, nudge, wink, wink, make sure you go to the first place on the list, because they’re the best” (i.e. they give me the best kickback). Plus I know it is mostly weight related. My wife had a machine, and it was okay, but I didn’t wake the next morning with the machine feeling like I slept any better during the test phase. I am willing to try the mouth option through the dentist first, I guess. Hadn’t thought about the blood pressure side. Part of my experience is coloured by Andrea’s results too — it helped, but it didn’t make her feel like “wow”. I find people have your results or none at all, little in the middle.
Just because it didn’t work for me (because I never got a mask that fit right), doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for you. Lots of people have good luck with it. Just saying.
True dat
My Dad was diagnosed with sleep apnea and is a normal weight. Weight is for sure a factor in my case but I also think that I have a narrow airway. I also HATED the mask they gave me at the sleep study and must admit I had a very bad first test. The second follow-up was much better. I asked the second sleep technician for the place with the best “trial” program. She told me to go to Inspiration Medic and boy have I been giving them a work out. I’ve been doing the trail since November changing up machines (APAP vs CPAP) and different masks to get the best fit. The CPAP machine was ok but I really like the APAP machine. It ramps up the pressure depending on what is needed. The main downside for me is that using a cpap/apap machine when you have a cold is an absolute pain in the ass (e.g. you really can’t do it and boy do you notice the difference). On the plus side since the machine has a built in humidifier I am not having the usual sore throat/dry cough bouts that I get most of the winter. At first it was a really weird experience but after pushing through the first 4-6 weeks I now sleep better with it and it has made a big difference in my blood pressure.
I’ll check Inspiration Medic out, I like the sounds of that. Not sure about CPAP or APAP differences or my needs, but definitely will have challenges with the masks. Andrea had that prob as she said. I suspect with a cold I would have to go without. Interesting re: built-in humidifier. My concern is part is that just after I did the test, I immediately got a sinus infection, which apparently can be common with the machines. But I’ll give them a try…