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…
Hello and welcome to the 21st century. I realize it’s been the 21st century for a while, but in some ways I’m a little behind the curve. I’ve been teaching elementary aged kids for about a decade now, and for the past several years I’ve integrated technology into my teaching. This past year I switched schools and have less access to technology for the students. It’s been a bit of a challenge, but I’m working through it.
In addition to being a fourth grade teacher, I’m also a writer. I adore words and putting them together, and I love being there when kids begin to discover their voices. The groups of kids I currently teach is bright, funny, motivated, and creative. I told them about my blog and their eyes lit up. Then it hit me, they should have a blog too. When I asked what they thought about the…
I knew this day was coming. As I kept writing and hitting the publish key, I kept getting closer to this milestone. To me, it’s pretty momentous. One hundred posts on BulgingButtons. Wow. I have to admit I’m kind of stoked. One hundred posts represents a certain level of dedication and follow through. You see, I have a bit of a history of starting things and then dropping them. Almost always things that are, or should be, good for me. Now the things that haven’t worked for me, like wrong-fit boyfriends or lame jobs, well, those I hung onto for too long. But the “good” stuff? Ballet lessons, gym memberships, weight loss programs… well, they all fell by the wayside before too long. I figured the blogging itch might be another example of this pattern, but since nothing was really riding on it, I decided that it was ok.
When I started messing around with this blog (and really, that’s exactly what it was, a mess) I gave myself permission to do it or not do it. I figured if it clicked, great, but if it didn’t that would be fine too. Well, those days are gone! I’m hooked. Blogging no longer feels like an afterthought or a pastime that self-absorbed homemakers with too much time and too little to keep them connected to reality indulge in. Insulting? Absolutely. But c’mon, you’ve seen some of those blogs! I find myself wanting to shake them and shout, “Lighten up, let a few dust bunnies settle, and play with your kids on the (not so recently mopped) floor once in a while.”
True confession time. I’m sort of jealous of many of those bloggers. Their blogs have huge followings, awesome content (most of the time), and lots going on. They are obviously well thought out and include all sorts of bells and whistles that I can only wonder at. Some of them make a living at blogging and others have launched books and other businesses as a result of their blogs. Holy cow!
I may not be in the big leagues yet (or ever) but I’ve come a long way in a short time. I have a loyal group of readers who readily offer observations and encouragement, my writing has been seen on every continent but Antarctica, and I’m becoming a better writer. All of these are side benefits of BulgingButtons that I never anticipated. I just wanted a forum to write about making positive changes in my life. I had no idea that this forum would contribute to those changes. I figured if I poured out my heart and soul about my battle of the bulge, maybe I would have more success with it. The whole accountability thing was appealing, but I wanted to do it incognito, since I really didn’t want some kid in my class telling me about how he read my blog and shares my love of Oreos and my aversion to steamed broccoli. Little did I know that I would be writing more about life and less about veggies and sit-ups. Well, that’s not entirely true. I never expected to write about sit-ups. I haven’t done a sit-up in over two decades.
After one hundred posts here I am, still battling the bulge. I’m still making lots of bad choices (cheddar bay biscuit, anyone?) and a few good ones. I’m still chugging away like the little engine that could, and I’m still writing about it for all the world to read.
In honor of my hundredth post I salute you, dear readers, whether this is your first visit or your ninety-first. Thanks for reading, commenting, sharing, and sticking with me. I may still be a fat girl, but with all of you along for the ride, I’m a fat girl on a mission!
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