I Am An Obliger...

One of the books that I read over the summer (speaking of...I'll be providing an update on my Book Bingo Challenge soon!) was Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of our Everyday Lives by Gretchin Rubin.  The premise of the book is...well the title sort of says it all doesn't it?  I had heard good things and thought what the hey.  This was actually the first book I'd ever read in the self-help genre.  My opinion of the book:  I think that the author was not the best to write the book because she is apparently one of those personality types that just has to think about doing something and instantly it becomes a habit.  In my opinion, for the rest of us who have a bit harder time developing habits, it didn't really provide as much useful information as I was expecting/hoping.  That's not to say that it didn't give me ideas...I did end up highlighting quite a bit (the idea of never having goals like 30-day challenges when trying to start habits...and the idea that rewards are not good [even if they aren't food rewards] made a light bulb go off in my head!).

But the most important thing I learned from the book...I am primarily an Obliger.  Simply put, I do everything in my power not to break promises to other people (this includes personal and work), but when it comes to promises to myself?  Well...not so much.  And therefore, one of the best things for my type to have in order to build and stick to habits is accountability...preferably external accountability.  It seems like something I would have learned by now but let's not dwell on that!

Last year I attempted to do some daily challenges.  It was hit or miss before I finally gave up some time in February.  And despite the fact that I gave up, the premise behind having daily intentions has stuck with me and I think, at least for me, it's invaluable.  But it also has to be realistic...always a hard one for me.  And perhaps even more importantly, these have to be things that I can do anywhere...sitting in my truck in the middle of nowhere or in a hotel or in the comfort of my own home.  So using some of the tools I learned in that book, I'm trying again this year.  Part of my external accountability is posting them here in this space.  And part is checking in with my mom weekly to tell her how many days that I week I accomplished each intention.  This list...every single thing is critical to my mental sanity.  I've been at this a week only and it's pretty easy to tell that days where I do all 6 things, I am happier, more productive and just in a better head-space than if I don't.  I make better decisions (particularly regarding food) and I just feel like I have better control of myself and my life.

So here we go...keep me accountable will you?
1. BREATHE -- obviously I breathe every day but this is intentional breathing.  At least 10 breaths.  Often I do ratio breath or alternate nostril breath...but some days it's just 10 deep breaths.   This happens in the shower many days...but there is nothing wrong with that.
2. JOURNAL -- one sentence minimum.  Even if that sentence is 'I don't feel like writing'.  Journaling is extremely beneficial to me but I do spurts and stops.  I want this to become a habit.  I have found some daily journaling prompts that are pretty basic and they help when I get stuck.
3. MOVE -- movement that either increases strength (lifting or active yoga) or cardio health.  No minimum here...just move every day.  Part of this is committing to lifting 3 times per week and taking a spin class 2 times per week...all with friends.  I've been lifting when home since I got out of the field in late October and went to my second spinning class tonight...I love both!
4.  STRETCH/COREWORK -- minimum is stretching my problem areas -- hamstrings, shoulders and hips and just 15 seconds in plank.  I find myself doing way more but I need a minimum.
5.  GET OUTDOORS -- even if this means walking outside on the porch and taking my 10 breaths, get outside each and every day to breathe in fresh air.
6. CREATE -- art or photography, not fiber (I'm pretty good about making time to knit or spin when I'm home already!).  5 minutes minimum.

6 daily intentions may seem like too many.  But many of these take only a few minutes and they are things that I do often...though not daily.  As I mentioned, this first week I did pretty well on all of these except create.  And for this, I understand why.  Organization and preparation are key to working on a project each day and I'm not quite there yet.  Hopefully this week.

I use this tracker.  What I love about it is 1) the reminder that we are shooting for progress, not perfection and 2) that I can see the entire year on one sheet of paper (I use a different one for each intention).  I think it's a great way to see cycles.  Already, from last year too, I know that for some reason, on Wednesdays, everything seems to go to hell!  I work 7 days a week so technically it's not really my hump day.  I may never figure out why, but it's enlightening to see those patterns.

What about you?  Do you have daily intention/habit goals for the new year?  Does accountability help you in any way?  If it does, is there any way I can help you (or we help each other)?  For me, the more the merrier!

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Now playing:  Book of Love by Peter Gabriel

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