STRONG – Make It Public, Make It Happen

One thing about the One Little Word is that it’s sort of hard to keep it in the front of my mind for an entire year.  With GRATITUDE in 2014, I was able to do this by making it a habit.  Everyday, I wrote down my gratitude, then on (most) Fridays, I posted those words on the blog.  At the end of the year, I posted all of them.  That made it stay in my mind.  For STRONG in 2015, I’ve been thinking of ways to keep it going.  Following Elise’s list making strategy, I’m decided to make it public, and make it happen.

The first strategy for this also has a lot to do with Elise.  For her 30th year, Elise made something each month, then sold it in batches of 29 or 290.  For December, she made a goal sheet and sold it as a letterpress, and a digital file.  I was quick, and snatched one of the letterpresses up – they sold out in minutes!  I was really happy to finally get one of her Make29 offerings!

I also printed out a few others.  I wanted to put them somewhere in the house that was very visible and public, so I figured the best place was right behind our front door.  They are hard to miss.  My goals are all things that I will do each day that will make me stronger.  I will kiss my family, thus making our relationships stronger.  I probably already do this, but actually paying attention will make it stronger.  I will do a sun salutation each morning.  I will floss every day (this will be hard, I’ve already missed a day!).  I will take my vitamins.  I will get my wrist party.  These will make my body stronger.  I also decided to use it for a weekly goal of writing a letter, and a monthly goal of going on a hike.

Hopefully, at the end of the year, most of the circles will be filled in.  If I miss a few days, no big deal, that’s not the point.  The point is creating habits, making myself stronger.  And letting it go if I miss a few.  I think it will really be impressive to see a visual representation of how I’m doing.  I know that if I see patterns (like I never floss on Tuesdays, or never get my wrist party on Sundays), I’ll be able to figure out a way to work on it.