“All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners... Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they're not learning, they're not growing... not moving toward excellence.” - Denis Waitley

I found this cute diagram that depicts the problem of wanting to do something outside your comfort zone.

I realized that to be effective in getting to my specific aims I have to expand my skill set (just like learning a new methodology to do that awesome experiment... I love science analogies!).

Now, one of the things I've been doing the past two weeks (that is TOTALLY out of my comfort zone) is learning the International Waltz Dance (jijiji). I don't know what specific application this will have in my life, but hey, it's really fun!

The point is, though, that expanding ones skills in whatever random thing you want to is key to getting out of your comfort zone and reaching your goal.

On a smaller and more embarrassing note, I'm also learning how to ride a bike. Yes, a bike. Sometimes one's skill set is smaller than you'd think.

New Day, New Goals

So, while I'm looking over the night Boston Skyline just over the Charles River, I'm falling in love with my new hometown. And just as new surroundings beg for new adventures, they also call for new goals and priorities.That's what Purple Plaid Pajamas (P3) is all about. It's a challenge, a calling, a celebration of my new life at MIT.

I will be venturing out to the great unknown (all the T stops!) and undiscovered (where to break my diet) in a search to fall in love... with myself, my life, and my surroundings!

So just like any good scientist, here's the P3 plan :

The Observation: Eli has a new life that she has to enjoy
The Hypothesis: The experimental variable (Eli's ability to adapt to new situations) will have a direct and positive effect on the dependent variable (Eli's happiness as a grad student)
Specific Aims:
Specific Aim#1: Get out of the comfort zone.
Specific Aim#2: Try something new every week.
Specific Aim#3: Enjoy my favorite things

Methodology: Push myself to the limit, do something I've never done before, do science, make food, go to the park, soak in the sun, talk to God, sound smart, be smart, laugh at myself, learn something new.