This is so simple and in many ways so obvious, but how many of us do this? Read on for Lisa Jackson’s brilliantly written advice on ways to stay motivated.
We’ve had several conversations on this blog about goal setting, the importance of writing your goals down and breaking those goals into quarterly/monthly/weekly/daily tasks.
We’ve also talked about ‘checking off’ those daily tasks and crossing items off ToDo lists.
And while I love crossing items off a list, or putting a check next to a “big goal”, I’ve found great value in other visuals, too.
For instance, for exercise – I give myself a star or a smiley face or a “great job” sticker on a day that I have at least 30 minutes of exercise. I have 12 small months taped to a kitchen door, so I can easily see how many days I’ve exercised throughout the year whenever I want. It’s quite inspiring.
Last year, I completed 2 races – a 5K and a triathlon. I tacked the race bibs to my bulletin board (as well as giving…
Today my sweetheart and I visited the State Fair. Neither of us had been in ages, but they were featuring the traveling Star Trek exhibit, so we went. I’m not much of a Star Trek fan, but he enjoys it and has told me numerous times about how wonderful the permanent exhibit in Vegas was, so when I heard the ad I suggested that we check it out.
I admit, I had mixed feelings about going to the fair. It’s in the middle of the city and it gets jam packed with multi-generational families pushing strollers and snarfing down fried everything. I’m also not a huge fan of the rides (although I do enjoy a good Tilt-A-Whirl from time to time) and the games are a rip-off. In fact much of the fair is a rip-off, but I decided to reserve judgement.
I’m glad I did, because we had a great time. The weather was wonderful, I found the little leather backpack I’ve been looking for in one of the vendor stalls (and she discounted her price), I got a cute little string name bracelet (my name is rarely available), and the Star Trek exhibit was fun. I even purchased the cheesy photo they took of us with the Starship Enterprise in the background.
We also checked out the livestock, marveled over how many categories of baked goods there must be, and strolled through the hundreds of sewing and craft entries. I have to say, I should have entered some of those categories, because my work is quite a bit better than many of the ribbon winners, especially in the quilting category. Still, it was enjoyable to view the fair, and we left just as it was getting packed.
Yes, I ate my funnel cake with strawberries and whipped cream. And yes, my entire outfit (black shirt, of course) ended up covered in powdered sugar. It was absolutely delicious, although messy since there was no fork available. And I know it’s teeming with empty calories, however, I walked all over the fairgrounds and I’m not going to beat myself up over it. It was a great day, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
“You can’t hoot with the owls and then soar with the eagles.”
This quote, attributed to Hubert Humphrey, vice president under Lyndon B. Johnson, is displayed prominently on my mother’s refrigerator. It shares space with, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips,” and a warning not to eat processed meats, which have not been a part of her diet for as long as I can remember. I guess better safe, than sorry.
Personally I don’t agree. With any of it. I also don’t agree with covering your refrigerator in quotes, clippings, and inane magnets, but that’s another story all together.
Let’s get back to the owls and eagles thing. I have to assume that once upon a time it made sense for human beings to wake with the sun and sleep in the darkness most of the time. Of course it would have depended on what old homo sapiens was up to. Planting and tending crops required daylight, while hunting might have been a better activity for twilight or later, depending on the prey.
I think we’re pretty much past all of that. Like it or not we live in a more or less 24 hour world now, at least in much of the world. We’re globally connected, so working across times zones frequently means that we’re connecting to one another at different times of the day and night. We also have far fewer restrictions on our activities based on time of day. You can buy your groceries, wash your car, or watch your favorite soap opera at 3 am if you desire.
Still, the whole world isn’t operating on the 24 hours open model. I’m a school teacher in a traditional school. The morning bell rings at 7:55 and by gum I better be ready when it does. In order for that to happen, and all of the things that lead up to it to happen, I have to be up by 5:25. It is unholy. Still, there are alternatives starting to emerge, such as online schools that operate with different schedules.
The world is moving away from the nine to five model. More people are telecommuting and more employers are recognizing that flexible scheduling can increase productivity, as our world economy continues to shift from manufacturing based to information based.
As for me, I’ve always thought that if I could go to bed at 2 am and wake at 9 am I would be at my most productive. Over the years, though, I’ve started waking earlier and earlier. Too many 5:25 alarms have warped my inner timepiece. Soar with the eagles, huh? Honestly, I’d rather be back in the nest.
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