Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Building good habits

I have read before--many many times that in order to build a good habit you need to do the same thing for over 22 days, and viola, you have a new good habit. I could never do that. I always miss a day, or get this streak of rebellion halfway through my "Goal" time. I had to find what worked for my personality...

"Right now, I'm going to choose to (insert whatever habit you want to establish here)"

Here is how it works, In trying to give up soda--simply choose something else to drink when you are thirsty. Don't go cold turkey or wean yourself off, don't make some elaborate plan. The next time thirst strikes, choose something else "just for now" if you have to.

I've been using it on my laundry. When the dryer beeps, I choose to fold and put it away immediately. As my dryer is well, rediculously small, this only takes about five miunites. I peacefully get it done, stacking it on my washer as I fold which keeps the kiddos out. After it is all folded, it goes straight into the drawer or hanger. It WORKS! Laundry dosn't seem like such a daunting chore...I used to always feel I was drowning in it. Now I am not. I used to just toss the clothing on a chair untill It built up to monumentous proportions, then put on a movie and sit down to fold...forever.
This has cut down on the need to iron as well. not that I actually did it, I just needed to.

The next habit to build.... WASHING THE DISHES! not waiting for a "reasonable" sink-full to build up, just quickly doing each dish as it is dirtied. I am a bit behind for now, but I think after I finish this I will choose to quickly catch up...just for right now.

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