I find I start off Monday AMPED to achieve all the things… and as the week goes on, stuff happens. I get tired, schedule goes to sh*t, I lose “motivation” and sometimes I just try to do the “check list” things to make myself feel like I have accomplished SOMETHING. But reality is, a lot of those tedious check list things aren’t REALLY helping me get to where I want to go.
Sometimes the new tiny habits that make a big difference are easy. For example, it has been fairly easy for me to get up just 10 minutes early to get in some extra mobility work, so my shoulder stays happy with my Kettlebell training. What I am realizing is, some of my old habits, though seemingly “effective” for a long time, are hindering me from getting to the next level with a few goals I have for this year. An example of this one is checking and responding to email first thing in the morning. I now wait until mid day to check my email and force myself to do something that is new/difficult/big return at the beginning of the day (I know honestly look at the thing on my list I am dreading doing the most and pick that one off) so that I start my day with some progress rather than start my day to reacting to other people’s question. This was a HARD mindset shift for me, and it has taken a long time, but it is working.
I have found that putting quotes up on post-it’s in my office, around the house, and on my laptop help me to remember to think a bit differently and stay focused. When I hear something that resonates, I write it down!
Here are a few I have been jotting down regularly:
“What got me here, won’t get me there”
“The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. The task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.”
“Behavior Design is not just about losing ten pounds or putting the phone down during dinner. It’s about becoming the person you want to be – and creating the kind of family, team, community, and world we want to live in.”
“True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement.”
“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”
Just a few things I have been mulling over lately as I plan my time and schedule my week. I hope these are helpful and I would love to hear a few of your favorite quotes that keep you motivated to start chasing the life you want!
Have a fabulous day and a kick ass week!
