It can be difficult to get back on track when you’ve lost momentum. This is certainly the situation I’ve found myself in at home over the last few months. However, I feel I have finally started getting there.
I think the key is in repeating tasks. By their nature these are tasks that are done on a regular basis, and I have a mix of tasks that I ‘should’ do and those I want to do. What I’ve done over the last couple of weeks is to focus on those ‘should’ tasks, because although they are chores they have a big impact on my surroundings and therefore my emotions. For instance one of these tasks is to tidy the house and I know that by having a tidy environment my brain finds it easier to focus on achieving the things I want.
The other important aspect is that because these tasks are repeated on a regular basis it is not necessary to complete them in one go, instead it is recognising that the task is started and progress has been made; “little and often” is the key phrase here. So when I was tidying the house, I started by ensuring the floor was clear and then the next time I tidied the surfaces and continued building it up each time. It meant each time I action the task I am affirming what I have already achieved, but also taking it further.
Together, this has meant that I have really started achieving things in the last week as you can see from the list of repeating tasks I completed from last Monday to Sunday. There are a variety of tasks, but each one I’ve completed has helped me gain my motivation and although I admit the house is not as tidy as it could be, it is certainly the best it has been for a while, so success!
- emptied bins around the house
- responded to blog comments x2
- tidied house x3
- read my feeds in google reader x3
- reviewed the posts I’ve starred in google reader
- tagged my photographs in Adobe Photoshop
- sorted my email x3
- typed up a journal entry x2
- tidied my study x3
- did some handwashing
- watered plants
- read email backlog from Mark Forster
- reviewed my open tabs in Firefox
- recorded a programme from the hardrive to dvd x3
- dusted the house
- written my journal x2
- cleaned my makeup brushes
- contacted someone through facebook
- reviewed my internet bookmarks
- cleaned my computer desk and keyboard
- sorted filing cabinet
- sorted handbag
- collected stats for my blog
- learnt a new keyboard shortcut
- wrote a post in my livejournal blog
- looked for post ideas by reviewing my stats
- made a post about progress made
- emailed a friend
- responded to messages in my facebook inbox and wall
- sorted the start menu on my laptop
- wrote blog post
My name is Kate Davis and I'm working towards a happier and successful life and this blog follows my journey. I work almost full time as an environmental consultant and project manager and I'm the mother to a beautiful two year daughter.
