Self Disclipline

I have learned to do a lot of reasoning. Mine is really stupid stuff. For instance. I get the whole kitchen cleaned but don't want to wipe down the stove. I don't know why. Or I get all the laundry done but don't want to sort and fold the socks.

So, I take two minutes (or less, really) and instead of ignoring it, ask myself why. Why don't I want to do this or why do I want to do that? How long would it take me if I actually did it? The truth is that it would take me all of two minutes to wipe down the stove and five minutes to fold the socks. Seven minutes in total. Then I MAKE myself do it.

As stupid as it sounds, I feel proud afterward, not because I folded socks, but because I didn't let myself fall victim to me.

So far you are doing good, but remember to start with tiny goals. Big goals are overwhelming and easier to give up on. Work slowly up to the big goals. If i am not in the mood to clean a room, i will do 10 things. Or i will do 10 things on my way to the bathroom. This is my little way of getting it done. Otherwise it is too much some days.

Wow....you have a book?

LOL

Sorry,T.,feet of clay here! (But I have heard that writing down goals increases the chances of success, so you're doing great!

Ok, T., I had to get a beer and think about this one for awhile. And here's what I've got:

1) Try to change what you don't like about yourself UNTIL the inability to change what you don't like is greater then the original dislike.

Then:

2) Learn to see yourself the way OTHERS see you. When your husband tells you you're looking good, BELIEVE him. When your kids say, 'Mom, you're the BEST', believe them. When a stranger smiles at you warmly in the grocery store, BELIEVE she got a warm feeling just passing you by. When I tell you I've been reading your responses for a long time now and I think you are FABULOUS, believe ME.

And finally:

3) When you FIND a way to STOP measuring your selfworth by your jeans size, PLEASE share it with the rest of us!

:)

First of all, congrats for taking the initiative to make wanted changes in your life. Seriously, just getting started is the hardest part. It sounds like you're doing great. Just make sure you don't try to make too many changes at the same time. It's good that you are taking small steps to reach your long term goals. Don't overwhelm yourself though, because even the small steps add up quickly to make a lot of change. For instance, that's a lot of things you're tracking. It may drive you crazy after a bit to be spending half your day tracking what you're doing the other half :) So, just pick one or two things to track in detail, and once you feel you can continue to address them without the constant monitoring, then ramp up on the next goal. Do celebrate your successes. Do forgive yourself when you slip up (use as motivation to do even better, not as an excuse to give up). Maybe team up with a friend who is working on the same goal so you can help encourage each other and keep each other accountable (like an exercise buddy). Good luck! I'm a recovering Type A personality and am on the opposite plan...trying to take time to smell the roses :)