Write to Change: February

My Writing to Change


One of our favorite blogs, Yes and Yes, uses social media as motivation to enforce goals.  This is obviously a genius tactic so Sar and I are jumping on board (you can check her post here).

My goal for February is to complete a DIY project for every weekend in February.  My intention is to complete one per weekend (although knowing myself, as I do, I might end up doing them all at the very end of the month).  I have several DIY projects in my head for our home that I’ve not completed because I haven’t made them a priority.  I’d really like to get our home to a finished state considering we’ve lived there for almost six [shameful] months already.

I’m hoping to (1) refinish a brass stool as a side table, (2) paint and hang floating shelves in our kitchen, (3) create and install a brass fixture above our dining room table and (4) finish painting the canvas above our bed.  Extra credit if I begin working on fabricating a coffee table (just need some tools) from 40 year old oak flooring , finish hanging hexagon mirrors in the living room, and assemble + finish + hang our wedding guestbook.

I’m adding this list to my goals for the year, which are focused on growing professionally, getting healthy + strong and my never ending pursuit to cease procrastinating, because I want (and to be honest, need) to live in a creative space.  Here’s to putting my head down and working hard to get it done!

Tell us: Do you have any DIYs planned for your home?  What is your favorite DIY to date?

-JCM

It’s Not How Good You Are…

It’s How Good You Want To Be. 

Preach

 Have you ever owned a book that you could pick up and feel inspired?  Even if you only read a few pages?  Or just one page?  My bible, in the inspiration sense, is It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be by Paul Arden.

Basically, DREAM BIGGER (one of my mottos in life)

It doesn’t look like much based on the cover or its size, but it is chock full of goodness.  I can say, with 99% certainty, that it will suck you in and you’ll read it cover to cover in one sitting.  And then you’ll come back to it — re-read it when you’re feeling a bit blue or when you need someone to light a fire under your ass. 

Criticism-- hard to hear.  Don't settle for okay and not great.  Ask how it can be better!

Beyond its goodness, it has great design and images that will keep you entertained.  I highly recommend it; whether you’re planning your dream business, your wedding or trying to improve as an employee.  It will speak to your uninspired soul when nothing else does.


Tell us: Do you have an inspiration bible?  Where do you turn when you're feeling blue? 


-JCM

The Seinfeld Method

Three of my Seinfeld Method calendars

While I don't believe in making New Year's resolutions (I prefer to start a new habit and improve when it occurs to me), I have made some goals for myself that coincided with the new year.

I read about the Seinfeld Method on Lifehacker many months ago.  I have thought of it often since I first read about it but my perfectionism got in the way (why would I start on a random Wednesday?  Or on September 21th?). I decided to start when I'd have the chance to cross days off starting from the beginning. 

So on 1/1/13, I began using the Seinfeld Method for four habits that I wanted to improve.  My goals/improvements are:
  • Exercise 3x/week
  • Write 1 page/day
  • No unintentional napping/laying around/procrastinating
  • Eat dinner at the dining room table 3x/week

If you're interested, I keep the first three calendars next to my bed.  The eating dinners at the table calendar is beside the dining room table.  While it isn't attractive, I find their visibility to be a helpful reminder.

So far, I've done really well with exercising, not napping, and eating dinner at the table.  I'm still struggling to find the time to write daily, but I'm ruminating on how to set aside time and be inspired.  I should also mention that I have many other goals, both personally and professionally, but these are ones I wanted to start with.  I chose these goals because they are vices of mine or building blocks to larger goals that I have.

I have found this method to be immensely motivating, I don't want to break the chain!

Tell us: Do you make New Year's resolutions?  Have you ever heard of or tried the Seinfeld Method?

-JCM