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10 Awesome Anti-Bucket Lists (To Prove Your Life Doesn’t Suck)
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A Simple Way To Get Things Done
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Finding Time to Laugh and Have Fun Shouldn’t Be So Hard
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5 Things To Tell Yourself When Nobody Gets Why You Want To Do THAT
5
Insights Learned From Sixty Birthdays
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It Might Suck Or It Could Be Great
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13 Really Good Dream Killing Excuses
8
Don’t Break The Chain
9
I Like Long Walks On The Beach At Sunset
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How To Chronicle Your Life

10 Awesome Anti-Bucket Lists (To Prove Your Life Doesn’t Suck)

10 Awesome Anti-Bucket lists to prove your life doesn't suck/image/befat.net/10-lists-prove-life-doesnt-suck-inspiration

 

We’ve all heard the merits of creating a bucket list — basically your goals of things you want to do before you die.

While the idea is inspiring, it also comes with its share of heartache. Like, what happens when you move on to your next assignment before you get to cross skydiving or “facial refreshening” off your list?

Enter the more positive assessment of your temporary time on planet Earth: The Anti-Bucket List.

Making lists is something we humans do. They’re meant to keep us organized, managed and focused.

Lists develop from our internal inspiration of things we believe are important to live a fulfilled and satisfactory life. From daily living lists — grocery, holiday, meetings, appointments, family obligations, work agendas, etc. — to the loftier life achievement goals of want to do’s, must gets, need to finish these things…we love writing lists.

And we’re good at it.

Yet we struggle on a daily basis to cross off most of what we’d hoped to achieve.

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A Simple Way To Get Things Done

Get things done image via befat.net

Results for people with too much on their plate and zero direction

If your life is like most everybody I meet, you’re overworked, overwhelmed and over committed.

You’re so busy being busy that all the mental to-do lists, fancy planners and calendars snowball, day after day, leaving you confused and spent.

Listen, life is a constant battle with opportunity overwhelm. So many things to do, so little time.

Ask yourself if this rat race you’re on is really a race at all?

The real world

You’re a super-tired smart cookie with a huge agenda in need of a clear direction.

You pile on too many things that it’s no surprise by day’s end you’re left exhausted feeling somewhat unaccomplished. On the positive side, you’ve also proven that you can start and finish things, just not all things all the time.

This is important to know because much of what you want to accomplish in this life isn’t going to get done. Like, ever. Sorry.

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Finding Time to Laugh and Have Fun Shouldn’t Be So Hard

We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing. laughter-fun-play-adults

George Bernard Shaw said: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” You’ve got 2,496 extra hours a year to play. Do you know where they are?

As we get older we’re made to believe that being serious makes us “responsible adults”. But in truth, as we age, the moments of pure fun seem to diminish.

And it’s killing us.

It’s been proven that laughter is not only good medicine, but laughing often can make us live longer. Not to mention we become way more fun to hang with.

Did you know that on average children laugh 200 times per day compared to adults who laugh only 26 times? And that might be a stretch for many.

Go figure, farts and burps and silly knock-knock jokes amuse kids.

As adults we ask them, “What’s so funny?”

Their answer? In a sing-song voice, all together now: “Nothing!!”

Yet they continue to laugh. Probably at us.

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5 Things To Tell Yourself When Nobody Gets Why You Want To Do THAT

Butterfly image. Post: inspiration and motivation transformation personal growth self-love befat.net

A caterpillar doesn’t care what the other caterpillars think about its journey to become a butterfly. The change doesn’t come easy. After four development stages, each necessary for the next, the caterpillar struggles to emerge as an entirely new creature.  When it fulfills its destiny there’s no argument over the beautiful and awe-inspiring results.

Transformation in life is hard, especially when nobody in your circle gets why you want to change. They love you but wish you’d stay stuck in your cocoon because it’s easier on them. But you are not caterpillar. While you may be wrapped in your cocoon for the moment, inside you’re working magic to develop wings.

Silence the other caterpillars

This time you’re going to do it. For real.

Leave a good job to start a small business.

Go back to school.

Do an about face after investing years in a career.

Maybe you’ll take a sabbatical to travel and photograph the world.

Retire earlier than planned and turn your life experiences into a memoir.

Move to a new place. Far far away.

Your cocoon is starting to wiggle!

Whatever is calling, know that you rock! Because it’s a gutsy move to take a leap and make a major change. At any time. At any age.

This shouldn’t be so hard. After all you’ve been through metamorphosis before: from infant to adult and shades in between — teenagers seem to transform daily! You’ve experienced relationship changes, employment changes, many beginnings and endings throughout your lifetime.

Perhaps your goals aren’t as Band-Aid® ripping as a total shift in interest, career or location.

But it’s often the less lofty ones that hang us up the most.

You want to take an oil painting class although the last time you picked up a brush was to paint your fingernails.

You see all these bendy gals in their lululemon® gear and decide to give hot yoga a try, wondering if it will help or hurt your bum knee.

You love the lyrical rhythm of Romance languages and always thought it’d be cool to order something in French in a French restaurant in freakin’ France.

Quick flashback to Monsieur Carter’s Intro class where you eeked a passing grade with an extra credit poster. Thanks to a quart of Elmer’s glue and grandma’s National Geographic magazines.

Time to secure your position

Despite our internal critic, this time, FOR REAL, we friggin’ want to parlez-vous Francais! Or paint. Or move. Or dance…

Dean Jackson quote on transformation using the butterfly analogy from the blog post: Leave The Caterpillarswww.befat.net

Then here comes the rub.

Enter your well-intentioned circle of family, friends and colleagues. You tell them the thing you want to do. First you get the polite half-smirk smile.

“Here she goes again.” The unspoken words practically visible above their heads. Not exactly the enthusiastic fist bump you’d hoped for, right?

They bring up, nicely, all the other hare-brained ideas you’ve had before.

Times you’ve started then quit.

Your already full schedule .

The cost.

What about your other obligations?

You agree because you know it’s probably the truth.

I remember telling my mother about the skit I wrote for the high school Christmas show: “That’s nice. Set the table for dinner, and use paper cups this time, Jacqueline Susann.”

The transformation begins

But this time it’s different. YOU are different. Comprenez vous?

Constructive criticism is super helpful at the right time, in the right doses.

Say you want to quit your sales job (someday) to become an elementary school teacher. You’ve always loved kids. You’re tired of constant travel, strange hotel beds, clients who give off the vibe that you’re just another intrusion.

You’ve made a decision. You’re ready to roll. Except…

Seems nobody’s as enthusiastic as you.

All of the little roadblocks and pitfalls  that have kept you up at night just got some major reinforcement from people who KNOW you and LOVE you.

They have a clear head, an objective opinion and shine light on the darkness ahead that you can’t see. For God’s sake woman, we’re saying this for your own good!

How do you stay focused when you feel like the odd gal out?

Here are 5 things to tell yourself when nobody gets why you want to do THAT:

♥  I don’t need to blindly accept their wisdom

It can be a real momentum killer if you do.

If you ask for an opinion, a real helper will lay out the pros and cons with you. Offer resources and experiences to bend the learning curve in your favor.

For those who don’t get you, ask for their support in any way that’s easy for them to give and that truly helps you move forward. Maybe a friend will walk your dog for an hour while you listen to a podcast. Or take your kids for an afternoon. I had a friend offer her home while she was away for a weekend so that I could focus on a project.

Support from the people around you is just a bonus. Thank them very much and carry on with what is in your heart and gut.

“Don’t base your decisions on those who won’t deal with the results.”

♥  I am committed to the long game

If your thing is a passing interest like to make a set of pottery bowls, take a pottery class. But this BIG THING of yours isn’t fleeting. It’s pretty serious. Try it for a year. Yep, make it a serious commitment. At the end of that time if it didn’t turn out the way you imagined you can carry on with your head up high for having seen it through.

Where you’ve failed in the past, find solutions to overcome them so you’re ready when they rear up again. ‘Cause they will.

“Commitment transforms a promise into a reality.”

♥  I will find my people

Funny thing. Butterflies don’t hang out with caterpillars.

Surround yourself with people in a similar mindset. You can find people all over the internet who want to learn beekeeping and start a business. There’s literally some group for interest. Finding people who speak your language, in this case, honey, you won’t need to seek support from people who don’t get you.

Find a mentor or an accountability buddy, someone who will keep after you, like a pitbull on a pork chop.

“Great mentors inspire!”

♥  When I get stuck I’ll dig deeper

Things WILL go wrong. You will have days where you feel stuck or worse, just spin your wheels, going no place fast. Just because your besties don’t get you and your mentor is AWAL, don’t stop your progress. Keep resources on hand that you can refer to when the answer eludes you. Find one of your like minded people and hash it out. This is where consistency and perseverance pays off.

“If the hole is deep enough get a bigger shovel.”

♥  I will celebrate my small wins

Every little victory is a cause for celebration. Chances are even a tiny gain took hours of work and commitment. Enjoy your moment and then get back to create the next one.

“A little progress each day eventually adds up to A LOT!”

When you’ve made a decision to begin a transformation in your life hold tight to that idea. For you, this time the change is for real. No matter what “they” (the caterpillars) say or think.

Hello butterfly!

Remember that your family and friends truly want to see you happy and successful, and you want that for them too. It can be disheartening when those who love you don’t get why you want to put yourself through all the trouble to do THAT thing.

Yes, there will be many stages and struggles ahead, but in the end the world (and your circle) will be wowed by the new creature you’ve become. Bien joué!

BE F♥CKING AWESOME TODAY! (#BeFAT)

If you enjoyed this post or got something out of it, please subscribe to this blog, share with your friends or leave a comment. Thanks so much. I hope you have a great day.

Other posts you might like:
13 (REALLY) GOOD DREAM KILLING EXCUSES
We humans are very good at coming up with excuses that prevent us from finding the pot of gold at the end of our own rainbow. The good news is that we can overcome every one. (If you love animals there are some fun pinnables too). KEEP READING HERE

TAKE A LEAP
A VERY small post with a BIG message, and a graphic that will (should) take your breath away. KEEP READING HERE

BE THE BUTTERFLY
Sometimes in order to experience your full potential you  must go through the struggles alone. A short and sweet retelling of an old tale that beautifully explains the metaphor of the butterfly. (This is one of the most popular blog posts) KEEP READING HERE

**BONUS** WHAT’S YOUR NEXT BIG THING?
You have lots of good ideas on your want-to-do list. But which one to tackle first? Use this self-evaluation guide to figure it out. Let me know if you try it and what you think. Your Next Big Thing Self-Evaluation Guide and Worksheet

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

Dean Jackson quote on transformation using the butterfly analogy from the blog post: 5 things to tell yourself when nobody gets why you want to do THAT by Stephanie DelTorchio befat.net

Insights Learned From Sixty Birthdays

Insights Learned from many birthdays

Birthdays that end in zero are worth a pause. Another decade in the books is a good reminder to take stock of where you’ve been and decide where you want to go next…before you run out of candles.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I woke up this morning, on my 60th birthday, and had two immediate thoughts:

#1 GRATITUDE.

Over the last twenty or so years, since my mate’s cancer, this has been my first waking thought. I’ve learned to be thankful and to express pure gratitude for all things, large and small.

#2 AWE.

As in, how the fuck did I get here?

Meaning when did I stop being a snot-nosed kid who collected butterflies in mayonnaise jars and become this old lady? With gray hairs and wrinkles, a turkey neck and grandkids?

31,557,600 minutes have ticked by. It seems like a hefty number for someone my age. How many do I actually remember? How many did I waste? Given the chance, how many would I want the chance to do-over?

Read More

It Might Suck Or It Could Be Great

 inspirational quote keep going.jpg

It’s so easy to quit and walk away when things start looking sketchy. “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” said Winston Churchill. That’s where you’ll find the good stuff.

We love beginnings

You know when you start a new project or job or exercise program or perhaps a business or course, and you think to yourself: “This is going to be great!”

That’s what beginnings are right?

Full of hope and promise.

You’re pumped. Energized. Adrenaline rushed.

THIS time you swear it’s going to work out perfectly.

Because you planned it.

On purpose.

With lots of thought and front end work.

You can practically taste victory.

The timing seems right.

All the dots connect.

So you begin.

You take the leap. And keep at it. Day after day. From morning until night. You’re on a path and there’s nothing to stop your progress. When you’re in the groove it feels as if you’re flying.

Until…

You get to the middle. Where things gets muddled. And hard.

All of a sudden you crash. You question every motive and intention.

What seemed clear in your mind now is clouded.

You begin second-guessing if this was the right thing to do.  If this was the right time to start.

Maybe the little voice that encouraged you was wrong…

Stop it, okay?

You DO NOT stop because shit happened that made your journey a bit bumpy.

You seriously committed to this thing, right? For like, what? the millionth time?

You’re a grown up person who understands that not every day is full of rose-scented farts. Some are total stinkers.

At some moment you convinced yourself everything is wrong. It sucks. You suck. Everybody sucks…

Well, you might be right. But you won’t know that for sure until you finish. Then you’ll regroup and redo and revise. And keep at it. Because it’s worth it to YOU.

If you’re feeling wishy-washy it’s okay to take a SHORT break. Try these no nonsense suggestions:

bubble bath.jpg

Take a long bath or shower

Rinse those self-defeating feelings away. Let the warm water wash over all the negativity and second-guessing. Bonus: Before getting out of the tub or shower spend sixty seconds under the cold water. Turns out there are some serious benefits to taking a cold shower. 

person walking.jpg

Take a long walk (or a run, if that’s your thing)

Step away and go outside. Get some fresh air and let your mind wander. For an added kick try walking backwards. Besides having health benefits, and making you look foolish (hah!) you’ll need to concentrate on NOT falling. That should clear up the muddles.

person singing into microphone.jpg

Sing it out

C’mon admit it you’ve done it. Crank up the music and belt out your favorite song. Go for the drama — dance moves, hand gestures, shimmy shakes. Singing releases endorphins, which is like a happiness high-five. Sing in public or at your present job at your own risk. There’s always the car radio.

person cleaning toilet.jpg

Clean the toilet

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

This is my personal go-to when I’m confused or stressed or muddled. A silly diversion that requires no thought. I consider it a mindful time-out. Both sides of my brain stop competing for my attention for a few minutes. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes not. At the very least I end up with a clean toilet.**

Keep going

Point is, take a break. A SHORT one. Take care of yourself. Eat and drink something healthy.

Think back to the beginning. Check in with yourself. Remember why you started this crazy thing in the first place.

As my mother would say: “Stand up straight. Slap a smile on your face. And do it.”

Don’t short change yourself today. Keep going. Sure it might suck. But it could be great.

BE F♥CKING AWESOME TODAY! (#BeFAT)

If you enjoyed this post or got something out of it, please subscribe to this blog or leave a comment if you’d like me to create more writings like this. Thanks so much. I hope you have a great day. XO

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

**According to Sarah from thespruce.com, this is the proper way to clean a toilet. Thanks Sarah!

keep going – motivation – inspiration

inspirational quote to keep going.jpg

13 Really Good Dream Killing Excuses

inspirational quote passion.jpg

Label it by any name you wish — calling, desire, goal, dream, passion, destiny, wish, urge, bucket list — but in order to even taste it, you need to start.

Somewhere.

Anywhere.

Yet we humans are very good at coming up with excuses that prevent us from finding the pot of gold at the end of our own rainbow.

What’s Your Excuse Today?

Think of an excuse you use any time you’re asked about that thing you want to do. Hold it for a second in your mind. Then really think about why you fall back on it. Again and again.

Is it not enough time?

Do you feel opportunities have passed by?

Are you afraid to leave the stability of a shitty job to pursue that thing?

Some excuses can be justified.

Others are self-made roadblocks.

I wanted to write fiction and screenplays and stories since I was twelve years old. I dabbled for years but never produced work that felt worthy of it being put out in the world. You with me yet?

My pockets were stuffed with excuses. Like:

No talent.

No time.

No money.

No education.

No support.

A few very valid and legit ones came later — little kids, a sick spouse — but even those eventually worked themselves out. The kids grew up. My spouse got better. But the other nagging excuses were just a crutch I’d built all by myself. A semi-solid place to lean against when I needed another excuse for not doing that thing I always wanted to do.

Along came the fear

Of everything.

And of “them”.

You know those people. The silent peanut gallery you worry will judge and criticize and condemn the thing that’s been burning a hole in your belly since you could tie your own shoes. And you give that excuse an enormous amount of authority and power.

Time to face reality

At some point you’ll get tired of hearing your own excuses. The outsider noise will fade. You feel the ticking clock of time in the distance, or closer. Because on one day, maybe when you least expect it…POOF! you’re gone. And so is the dream.

You’ve decided that now is the time to get serious about this thing if you’re ever going to make it happen.

So you counter each excuse with positive self-talk or a good slap upside the head. Whatever motivates you to action.

 

If you recognize yourself in any of these excuses, now is as good a time as any to talk yourself out of it and do something.

You’ll have no regrets later for trying. And we’ll be happy you gave it a whirl.

 

1. I don’t feel well

There’s sick, and then there’s really sick. But an ache or sniffle shouldn’t stop you from making progress. Grab a box of tissues, a bandage or drink a hot toddy. Get over the temporary or nuisance condition and charge ahead. Plenty of people with illnesses a million times worse than your head cold have done some brilliant things.

 

2. Family comes first, right?

Most of us put the people we love above our own needs. Feed them something easy one night a week and use that hour for you. Lock yourself in the bathroom or basement if you must. If you can finagle a night or weekend away to focus, do it. Your family will survive quite well without you. Happy you, happy family.

3. Deeply rooted in a career

Maybe you still have student loans from way back. Or you’ve spent fifteen years in the law firm. Or you’re an important person in the family’s business.

The question becomes, are you neck high in something that doesn’t fulfill you? You grapple with how to separate yourself after so long in the same place.

Try to do your thing as a side hustle or pet project until it shows promise. If you find that it’s exactly where you need to be, then decide to pull the weeds and plant something new. Don’t rot on the vine.

 

4. Nobody “gets” anybody

We’re all misunderstood. This is a lame excuse. Stop trying to sell your thing to anybody. You don’t need a majority vote to do what makes you happy.

 

5. A job is a means to an end

You can flip burgers, drive a cab, teach preschool, own a landscape business or perform brain surgery. To a greater or lesser degree, it really doesn’t matter. Each “job” will feed you and pay the bills. But if you’re miserable, it’s time to reconsider how you put bread on your table. If your thing gnaws at you, forget the job. Maybe you’ll eat Ramen noodles for a while. You’ve probably survived on less.

 

6. An unimpressive resume

In the last month alone, four managers expressed to me that the least important part of hiring process was the length and breadth of a candidate’s resume. Without exception each said that they wanted to know two things about you: Whether you can do the work, and if your personality fits with the team. Not much different than grade school: Do your work. Play nice with others.

No doubt you have transferable skills and life experiences that more than make up for a fancy piece of paper.

 

7. Motivational deficiency disorder

Okay, barring any medical issues, laziness is a poor excuse for doing nothing.

When you were six you verbalized it this way: “Whah, whah, whah…But I don’t want to.” Now you’re a grown-up. Curb your nonproductive deficiency by getting off the couch. Remind yourself of that little spark you once had. Get off your ass and go find it.

 

8. Self-esteem snag

Having a lack of belief in yourself keeps you stuck in a place of personal turmoil. It includes self-doubt, self-sabotage, anxiety and depression. Sometimes professional assistance is needed. Please do that. We make no medical claims here, okay?

Other times you need to have a meeting with yourself and a stern talking to (as my Mother liked to say).

It’s not always easy or possible to snap out of it.

Most of us are fine just the way we are, but we’ve bought into the criticism from the outside world that makes us doubt our own gifts, talents and abilities. You’ve got a thing you want to do right? We believe in you. You go and believe in you.

9. I’m afraid of failure

Who isn’t?

Fear of failing stops us from doing the very things that can move us forward. To counter fear, accept that you will fail and ask yourself: What’s the absolute worst thing that will happen if I fail? Answer that question as honestly as you can. Work through the failure in your mind. Once you’ve done that, go do that thing.

 

10. Start at the beginning

Thinking too far ahead will exhaust you.

Steve Martin, talking about students in his Comedy Masterclass, says they wanted to know things like, how to get an agent and where to get head shots taken. Martin says the first thing a new comedian should ask is: “How do I get to be good?”

Take a course. Read books. Ask people you trust. Listen to music. Go to the movies. Spend time in nature. Immerse yourself in whatever your thing is. And then begin.

 

11. Tomorrow plus someday always equals never

“I’d gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” This is better deal than I’ll pay you “someday”. Don’t excuse away your today. Tomorrow it’s gone. And someday may never come.

 

12. It’s not an easy thing to do

Sure it’s hard. If it were a cakewalk you’d have done it by now, and so would everybody else.

Just accept the fact that nobody wins the gold medal for running the fastest marathon without first having laced up a pair of sneakers.

 

13. Old dogs can learn new tricks

The American Kennel Club says even old shelter dogs can be trained to learn new tricks. You’re never too old. It’s never too late. Make your age can work in your favor, not against you.

So what’s your excuse?

Life happens.

We can’t always choose our circumstances. We certainly don’t get to choose our beginning in life, but we sure as hell can decide how we finish.

Go after that thing you want to do. Big or small, take a chance on you. There’s no excuse great enough to keep you from trying. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

BE F♥CKING AWESOME TODAY! (#BeFAT)

If you enjoyed this post or got something out of it, please subscribe to this blog or leave a comment if you’d like me to create more writings like this. Thanks so much. I hope you have a great day. XO

Other posts you might like:

DID YOU GET SPARKED TODAY?

PLAN TOMORROW TODAY

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

Photo credits from UNSPLASH photographers:

  1. Photo by Lucas Alexander
  2. Photo by Q’AILA
  3. Photo by Shannon Richards
  4. Photo by Kawtar CHERKAOUI
  5. Photo by Caleb Stokes
  6. Photo by Michelle Phillips
  7. Photo by Nicola Anderson
  8. Photo by Dean Nahum
  9. Photo by Rob Schreckhise
  10. Photo by Enrico Carcasci
  11. Photo by Jakob Owens
  12. Photo by Ryan Grewell
  13. Photo by Ana Martin
  14. Post Cover Photo by Lance Anderson

Don’t Break The Chain

As a struggling young comic, Jerry Seinfeld designed a simple but powerful productivity system to become a top notch comedian and television star. How can you apply this productivity tip to your life? Grab a calendar and a big red marker.
productivity tips, jerry seinfeld don’t break chain, how to more productive

How to be more productive, according to comedian Jerry Seinfeld

Seinfeld figured out that the way to become a better comic was to write better jokes. He’d do this by committing himself to writing one new joke each day.

The Emmy winning comedian tacked a year-in-a-glance calendar to his wall. Each day that he wrote a joke (good or bad wasn’t a factor) he drew an X with a big red marker**.

Soon he noticed that the daily practice created a chain of red X’s. His mission then became to not break the chain.

The now-famous “Don’t Break the Chain” method is a ridiculously simple yet powerful productivity tool. It’s an in-your-face visual reminder to take the big (or small) goals and break them down into doable pieces.

The key to its success is of course consistency.

Don't break the chain wall calendar.jpg

Create your own “Don’t break the chain” wall calendar

 

Okay, so it sounds a bit hokey, but c’mon sometimes the simplest hacks work best.

Put aside your fancy apps and journals and complicated computer programs. Here’s how to make and use the same method that helped Jerry Seinfeld become one of the most successful comedians of all time.

Decide on what you want to track

Whatever the goal or task, use one calendar per task. Start with no more than three. Add more if you feel you can manage them all.

Set daily goals

Whatever the minimum goal, set a task rather than a time limit.

Say you want to achieve doing 30 push-ups each day by the end of the month. Start with one and add one each day.

Maybe you want to contact one new prospect or lead each day for a year.

Or you need to clean out the garage to get your house ready to sell. Pick a shelf or section and tackle one place each day.

Just don’t over reach the daily goals or create too many at the same time. Resist self-sabotage. Make a simple plan and stick to the plan.

Get a calendar and big red marker

If your goal is on-going (writing one joke a day) purchase or print out a large year-at-a-glance wall calendar. For short-term goals, say you want to complete something in a month’s time, print out a 30-day calendar.

Jerry used a big red marker.** Pick a color. Don’t make a production out of this.

Mark each productive day

If you’ve done your thing for the day, put an X through today’s square. Feel’s good, right?

Positive reinforcement

Look at the chain every day. Have you kept it going? Good. Keep it up. Do your thing. X it. Repeat it. You’ll build momentum and not want to miss a day.

Daily action builds habits. Remember building a mountain with one small stone each day for many days? Steady habits create substantial achievement.

Blank spaces

Okay so what about blank space(s)?

Did you make a bunch of (valid) excuses for missing a day?

Don’t beat yourself up. Let it go and start again.

Today psyche yourself out if you must to get it done to earn the X.

How you’ll feel when your chain is unbroken

The next time you really don’t want to do that thing you keep saying you want to do, look at your calendar. How do you feel about the unbroken chain you’re creating? Pretty freakin’ awesome.

It’s a visual reminder of the procrastination you’ve avoided. The progress you’ve made. The pride and empowerment you’ve earned by sticking with it.

Whatever you do, don’t break the chain.

BE F♥CKING AWESOME TODAY! (#BeFAT)

**Use a “little” marker if you want but c’mon, those BIG FAT ones make you feel like you’ve done something powerful and amazing. You earned that.

If you enjoyed this post or got something out of it, please subscribe to this blog or leave a comment if you’d like me to create more writings like this. Thanks so much. I hope you have a great day. XO

Other post you might like:

BE A CREATURE OF GOOD HABITS

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio productivity tips, jerry seinfeld don’t break chain, how to more productive

productivity quote funny.jpg

I Like Long Walks On The Beach At Sunset

Get out.

No, really, get OUT.

As in go outside.

Whether your creative juices have stopped flowing or you’re trying to figure out a personal issue, it’s important (and productive) to still the mind and disconnect. It’s not selfish. It’s self saving.

We know that nature soothes the soul.

Wander in the fresh air and offer thanks to the Universe for blessing you with the gifts of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.

Sit on a park bench and listen to the birds sing.

Lie down on the grass and watch the clouds float by.

Talk a walk. A swim. Bike ride.

Whether you practice mindful meditation or just “zone out” in your favorite outdoor spot, give your heavy-thinking brain a break. The world will continue to revolve while you inhale and exhale for a few minutes.

To quote a standard line from the stone age, when personal ads were posted in newspapers:

I like long walks on the beach at sunset.

Still works.

 

BE F♥CKING AWESOME TODAY! (#BeFAT)

If you enjoyed this post or got something out of it, please subscribe to this blog or leave a comment if you’d like me to create more writings like this. Thanks so much. I hope you have a great day. XO

Other posts you might like:

HOW TO CAPTURE TIME
We can’t stop time. But there are things you can do to capture time and make sure that every second counts.

THE SECRET OF LIFE
It’s different of course for everybody. As soon as you find the answer let me know, will ya?

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Photo courtesy: Elke Karin Lugert. Thanks Elke!

How To Chronicle Your Life

A life worth living is a life worth recording quote.jpg

When you chronicle or document a bit about your day it can be life changing. What starts off as individual and unrelated moments may steer you (especially upon review) in a direction to make better or different choices for how you spend the time left in your life.

Here’s how to start

Each day take five minutes to record something about that day. You don’t need a fancy journal or fountain pen, but go ahead and use those if they’ll inspire you to keep this habit. Later we’ll talk about five creative ways to help you get started, without pen and paper.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to note what happened that day and how you feel about it. What you hope will happen next is optional, and could be mind-blowing if you’re willing to change. For now, just concentrate on making daily entries into (I made this up) The Chronicles of You.

Read More