Planning
This week, I observed and helped with the preparations for Halloween. It's my son's favorite holiday. He started thinking about costume ideas last November and I believe he is almost ready.
This weekend, he carved a pumpkin. I've carved pumpkins before. I pick up the pumpkin, gut it, grab a knife and without any plan begin to cut it and see what happens. It usually looks like a normal child drawn face with triangle eyes and a smiley mouth.
But, my husband and my son were carving the pumpkin this year and they started with a plan. They discussed possibilities, they looked at pictures of cartoon figures, the decided on Pikachu a yellow creature in my son's comic books, they found pictures online, they modified them so that they would leave enough structure in place that they wouldn't just have a hole in the middle when they were done. And eventually they began the careful process of transferring the stencil to the pumpkin and cutting on the lines with a knife.
Their pumpkin looks amazing!
I think that this lesson can be applied to many aspects of my life. When I don't have a plan for meditation and exercise, things I know I feel much better when I do them regularly, they don't happen. Or if they do happen they happen irregularly and inconsistently. Taking time to work out schedules and make sure I'm taking time for important things is something I need to do more often.
What helps you plan? When you have a plan how has it made a difference?
I look forward to hearing your responses.
/\MJH
Tracking
I find it helpful to track results to stay on track with a new habit. I just started a chart on my bathroom mirror that has dates and a box for "work out" and "meditate" and I check them off as the days progress. That way, it's right in my face in the morning when I'm planning out my day.
I haven't used it lately, but for awhile I used a FitBit (http://www.fitbit.com) to automatically track my footsteps throughout the day and track my caloric intake. It was helpful for awhile, but it was difficult for me to stick to entering calories every time I ate. However, seeing the results aggregated helps motivate me to stay active.
It also helps to have a support group that monitors my progress. That helps to keep me accountable.
Thank you foryourreply Dave!
Thank you foryourreply Dave!
I think that you are right, we do need methods of evaluating our progress toward our goals. The halp us see that our efforts are working which keeps us motivated. Having support is also really helpful, encouragement and understanding tey provide keep me moving.
/\mjh
Like Dave I also keep a diary
Like Dave I also keep a diary of my 'movements' through the week for meditation, exercise and weekly reading. I find that it keeps me honest about what I am actually doing per day but also keeps me motivated to keep on track with my practice. I do like Mary how in your posting you thought about each step in the process. I find that sometimes I am rushing through completing some of the tasks and don't really focus on being in the present.
On the other side, I also have a tendency to overplan or look to the future too often. I think this is my way of attempting to feel in control but can be detrimental to the overall process. So lately I am experimenting with only planning for the week but accept that planning any further than that is not necessary as circumstances might change. I am practicing this, but sometimes it is difficult when you come face to face with your natural inclinations!
/\
Margeaux
Margeaux,
Margeaux,
Thank you for your reminder that overplanning can also be an issue. The middle path, and a life in balance is a challanging place to find. :)
/\MJH