I haven’t written about Zach in a long time. Today I was cleaning up my Google Drive and looked at this file called ‘Shakespeare Notes’. I knew it was Zach’s but I didn’t know why I was saving this one file. Maybe it was so I could write this post! Actually, I had two others but they are little video files that I will not share at this time. They are not really significant but poignant. Jake, if you ever read this, you are in them with Zach!

Zach, if I haven’t mentioned this before, used misdirection in many of his file names, particularly those which were personal. I knew the content had nothing to do with old Will but I couldn’t remember what was in there or why I was saving it there. I’ve had a folder on my desktop computer with all my Zach related stuff for a long time. Not just stuff related to the aftermath of his death but everything I could get off of his computer, iPad and phone. Voice mails, texts, pictures. It’s a lot of stuff.

I don’t have a lot to say about the ‘Shakespeare’ file. The system date is December 4, 2015, which means I modified it slightly a couple of weeks after Zach died.There is no internal date but his one reference to getting his Masters puts it in the 2013-2014 time frame.

Here’s the whole thing:

January 1- May/Juneish (or longer?)

• • • • Physical/Health

        • Tighten up body. Maintain a body weight in the 190-200 range, but focus on cutting body fat.

        • Create a balance between core workouts and cardio. Indulge in basketball but don’t default.

        • Diet: Maintain what I’m doing.

          • Focus on salads and vegetables where possible

      • Personal Development

        • Make my reading list more visible and not out of sight out of mind.

          • Balance the intellectual books with pleasure reading. Don’t forget how much fun it is to read a book.

        • Focus on current events and news, if not religiously.

          • Don’t act arrogant about the world around you just because you think you have some of the systems figured out.

          • Listen to NPR podcasts once a day

          • Keep reading and writing on what is happening around you

          • Check Facebook max three times/day

        • Less thinking and more doing. Don’t feel good just because you mentally processed something. Take knowledge to the next level.

        • Conversely, don’t default to critical. Take time to think and process before being arrogant, especially in social situations.

      • Emotional Sustenance

        • 1 meaningful phone conversation or letter a week. Just a quick note goes a long way. Do not backburner, considering it only takes 5-10 minutes.

          • Relationships always need nurturing.

        • Take advantage of time away from work to forget about work. Whether it is short vacations or enhanced personal retreats, don’t let work consume your thoughts or give you a fresh perspective. Remember how beneficial this is.

        • Remember a lot of people look up to you or believe in you and want you to succeed.

July 1-December 31

• • • • • Physical/Health:

          • Lose the gut.  Focus on consistent core workouts as well as general exercise, to strengthen the lower back, heart, and abdominal region. Explore yoga options(ADD MORE DEVELOPMENT)

          • Focus on posture, sitting up straight and walking with shoulders pushed back

          • Diet: reduced sweets.  No alcohol.  Portion control (make the appetite smaller).  

• • • • • • • Focus on salads/vegetables, diversify entrees.  

            • Look into blender (for fruits) and George Foreman (for chicken mainly).  Smaller appetite means money saved.  

            • No red meat except special occasions.

            • At least 90 oz. water a day.  No Gatorade except with exercise.

            • Vitamins?  Consider later once budget is more stable

        • Personal Development:

          • Make a visible reading list ( a la the queue).  15 minutes of a book/magazine a day (or 3 hours a week).  Dedicate time to reading

          • Current events—either at work or at home, must stay up on what is going on—focus on the morning coffee.  Spend an equal amount of time on the coffee as I do with ESPN/FB.

          • Maintain reflection/journal, make notes on a daily basis and weekly put 30-60 minutes aside for a “things I learned this week.”  Stay focused and don’t let yourself get caught on little tangents

          • Once settled, starting making connections on my options for masters programs at LSU and begin to develop my plan and vision for the future as they relate to those options.

          • Eye on the prize: University President.  The time has come for me to become who I say I am.

        • Emotional Sustenance

          • Be very intentional by staying in contact—utilize emails and Facebook, send out the form letters at proper times.  Remember that people love you and there can never be too much dialogue—especially focus on Troy, Dave, Josh, Molly—look at their development on both personal and professional.  Second tier: Deb/Karl, Amy, Rae, the bros, Joey, Ola, more

            • Write one meaningful letter/note each week

          • Explore the culture, keep making close connections but don’t force it

          • Remember to take vacations and take advantage of being in 20’s—Atlanta, Midwest, East Coast.  Getting away for a day or two can be very valuable.

          • Keep updating or maintaining a bucket list and Socratic appendices.  A little materialism can sometimes make a big impact.