The 365 Commitment

Learning Calculus

So if you have read this blog a lot, you might remember the time I decided to go ahead and memorize the first 1000 digits of PI. The point I was trying to prove is that I could learn anything or do anything if I broke it down into small chunks and spread it out over a long time. The point being that consistent, daily effort could work miracles. Sure enough, after 200+ days of spending 15 minutes working on my memory technique – I was able to recite the first 1000 digits of PI from memory. I have forgotten some it now, I need to repeat it every few months to retain it and I have let that lapse.

So now I have decided to learn Single Variable Calculus (again). I did in college, and I hated it. In fact I loathe it and if truth be told I am afraid of Calculus. It has nothing to do with my current life or requirements. Well, my kids will occasionally bring home tough math homework and I am just as dumfounded as they are, so maybe that will be a benefit. Oh? You want to convert a repeating decimal to a fraction? No problem, let me show you how easy that is. Now would that be impressive or what?

The real reason I am doing this is punishment. I like to pick things that absolutely suck and make a habit out of them until I become good at it. Running, Pushups, Writing, etc. I was thinking about doing something daily to improve my mental sharpness. I was thinking through all the things that I could do. Then I had the epiphany. Calculus. I am afraid of it. It completely sucks. Perfect candidate for habit formation!

So I am on Day 5. 360 more days from now I will be “competent” at Single Variable Calculus and hopefully have a razor sharp mind as well.

Guy Reams

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