an you tell I really have a hard time believing the calendar has turned over to June 1? Seems highly improbable. Not just from the cool temps still hanging out, but from the speed with which this first half of 2011 has gone by. Wasn't it just January? February? March... you get my drift.Crazy, the swift passage of time. But, rather than dwell on how little I've done to really hone in on my "word for 2011" (focus) and ponder that the word for 2010 (pause) is probably one that I should apply to the next three or four decades of my life, I'm going to get my butt in gear and get a few things done. Nothing makes me feel like I've gotten something accomplished like getting something accomplished. Funny how that works.
In a lovely happenstance, I ran across this list of 60 Small Ways to Improve Your Life in the Next 100 Days. It's got gobs of good ideas running the gamut from decluttering (my office!) to personal development and time management, and of course finance. I've printed it out and will review it each morning, see what I can get done in the next 100 days. (So handy that this coincides with Seth's summer vacation, don't you think? Poor boy. Don't tell him that Mom has PLANS!)
Here are a few snippets that especially stand out to me (do click over for the full list, it's got more goodies):
* Walk around your home and identify 100 things you’ve been tolerating; fix one each day. (Definitely doable!)
* For the next 100 days, keep Morning Pages, which is a tool suggested by Julia Cameron. Morning Pages are simply three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. (I love this idea and have a hard time making myself sit down to it...)
* Don’t buy anything that you don’t absolutely need for 100 days.
* Track how you spend your time for 5 days. Use the information that you gather in order to create a time budget: the percentage of your time that you want to devote to each activity that you engage in on a regular basis. (A good idea, but I'm a little frightened of the Pinterest time... not sure I want to know!)
* For the next 100 days, stop multi-tasking; do one thing at a time without distractions. (I'm not sure I can do this...)
* Make a list of all of the commitments and social obligations that you have in the next 100 days. Then, take out a red pen and cross out anything that does not truly bring you joy or help move you along the path to achieving your main life goals.
* Choose one food that constantly sabotages your efforts to eat healthier—whether it’s the decadent cheesecake from the bakery around the corner, deep-dish pizza, or your favorite potato chips—and go cold turkey for the next 100 days.
* For the next 100 days, get at least twenty minutes of daily exercise.
* Identify three actions that you’re going to take each day, for the next 100 days, in order to strengthen your relationship. (Nice!)
* For the next 100 days do one kind deed for someone every day, however small, even if it’s just sending a silent blessing their way. (Love this!)
And here's one that just made me laugh:
* Set your alarm a minute earlier every day for the next 100 days. Then make sure that you get out of bed as soon as your alarm rings, open the windows to let in some sunlight, and do some light stretching. In 100 days you’ll be waking up an hour and forty minutes earlier than you’re waking up now. (Given that I get up between 5:30 and 6 a.m. most mornings, that seems a little like overkill to me. I DID get a lot done this morning, but still... girl needs her sleep!)
This list is exactly what I need coming off a lovely and kicked-back Memorial Day weekend and heading into summer. Whether summer's actually going to arrive or not remains to be seen!
Anything on that list you've been wanting to work on? Hope you find an idea or two to perk up your June!
You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave,
find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land.
There is no other land, there is no other life but this.
find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land.
There is no other land, there is no other life but this.
-Henry David Thoreau
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again, you always post the most interesting links!
ReplyDeleteTerrific...love the ideas and now off to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting- especially the bit about waking up earlier. I'm struggling with that a lot because I want to be an early bird but I live with two serious night-owls. I think Gracie went to bed at 1am last night (!!!) Even if we send her to bed, she stays up reading and messing around, so in summer I just give up and let her do her own thing, and during the school year she makes a serious effort to be ASLEEP by 9pm. Tom went to bed around 6am, if not later. And he loves that sort of schedule. It's such a struggle!
ReplyDeleteI'm good on the eating and exercise front... I'm obsessed with swimming and for some reason I have become a giant picky eater this last year and what I want to eat is healthy (cucumbers, hummus, yogurt).
The buying thing is tricky. I don't think I have too much, but I do like to buy small things (some stickers, a new pen, some paper) every few weeks to just feel like I am indulging myself a bit. I probably hould knock that off but it brings me a lot of joy.
The "Make a list of all of the commitments and social obligations that you have in the next 100 days. Then, take out a red pen and cross out anything that does not truly bring you joy or help move you along the path to achieving your main life goals." THAT's tough. But such a good idea. HMMMMM!
So sorry for the mammoth comment!
I probably
Janet: Maybe if I record how much time I spend online, it will become evident how I find these interesting links! Oh dear.
ReplyDeleteMa: Knew you'd like the ideas...
Chel: Love the mammoth comment! You are a fabulous commenter!
"launch yourself on every wave.."..
ReplyDeletelove from my wave to yours! xo
Wow, some good ideas in there. Although I agree with you, the sleep one seems a bit much if you already get up earlier. I get up at 6 a.m. every morning and that is plenty early, if you ask me!
ReplyDeleteLove your words--and such great ideas. I am reading at this time a book called The Happiness Project--the author changes things in her life month by month--we can change what ever we decide to change--one small change will lead to big and better changes. Thanks again for your awesome blog--I sure do enjoy reading it.
ReplyDelete