Recently, I gained a little inspiration from the book,
“Lean Forward into your Life” by
Marry Anne Radmacher
“Stretch your usual patterns Recognize that habit provides a certain discipline or safety. Do not become locked in habit.
- Read a type of literature that is unfamiliar to you
- Avoid television for an extended period
- Send an unexpected letter
- Try new tastes,colors, smells,sounds, ideas
- Stop affirming, “Oh, I’m not very good at (fill in your particular thing) and then undertake a project AS IF you are good at that thing.
- Introduce yourself to someone you have been wanting to meet.
- Recognize the power of your words. Accept that they have a consequence(words build cultures, and preserve and destroy them). Every word has a story and a degree of impact. Do not say of your words, “Oh they don’t matter.” They matter a good bit.“
I love it! Stretching my habits and goals really works for me whether applied to the teeny-tiny ones or the larger type of “life goals”. Some habits that I have in place are good ones that I’d just like to Super-Size or build upon!
For example one new (old) teeny-tiny goal or habit that I have is that of taking excellent care of my teeth. I do an average job of this now, but could do much better.
When I go to my six-month dental check-up this June, I’d like to be able to flash my pearly whites and say matter-of-factly to my dentist, “Yes, of course I floss!!” Only, here’s the thing it’s almost April and I can’t remember the last time that I actually did! (Bad, I know!)
I know that reintroducing flossing into my existing daily brushing routine is the ultimate goal,but I wonder… Why wasn’t I successful the last time with regards to sustaining this desired habit? Perhaps, I might explore this a bit more in depth.
1. MOTIVATION! I’d have to say that my heart wasn’t really in it! It just seemed like something I “should be doing.” (Shoulds are the kiss of death!)
2. WRITE IT DOWN. I didn’t write my goal/intention down and instead I just let the idea knock around in my head. In this way, it never graduated from “a good idea” to a daily habit. 
3. START SMALL. Last time I just declared that I would begin flossing every day even though I hadn’t been in the habit of doing it consistently. Better to start small and build on your successes.
4. LOCATION. One big obstacle was that of even finding my floss!!
Hmm I think I understand now, why I wasn’t successful before! With the above things in mind; I’m going to try on an artful approach to adding flossing to my daily routine!
This time, I am motivated in part by knowing that my 6 month exam is in 3 weeks! I’ve definitely written down my intention-for now to floss twice a week. (Not to mention the increased accountability since I publicized it here!) {grin} Lastly, I will stock up on floss and place several spools throughout my house, so that location need not be a problem again. (I’m crossing my fingers here though…I swear we have gremlins that move around our things!)
I’m curious, What new habit or ritual have you been successful at implementing and how did you go about it?
