I debated on whether or not to publish this post, since linking it to speech-language pathology is a bit of a reach, but in the end I decided to for a few reasons. First, it was because of my first "Happiness Project Experiment" that I started this blog. Second, I am sure that the strategies that I describe below will be of benefit to at least one other SLP in this world (hopefully that SLP finds my blog). Finally, I hope that by making this public, I will feel even more accountable to keeping up with my new "Resolutions Project". So, without further ado, here it is:
In a previous post I described my "Happiness Project Experiment" from 2012-2013 and my plans for a new "Resolutions Project" for 2013-2014. I really enjoyed my 2012-2013 project and I found that keeping track of my resolutions on a daily basis was a great way to keep them top of mind (even if I didn't manage to keep them every single day).
Unlike last year, where I had a tracking sheet hanging up in the bathroom, I have been trying to rely on my memory to keep up with my resolutions. For the first couple weeks or so it was going pretty well, with only the occasional missed day here and there, however, the last few weeks my resolutions have completely fallen off of my radar.
Yesterday, after it hit me how much I was missing my lengthy resolutions list from 2012-2013, I decided to put some strategies into place to help me to stay on track. The strategies are as follows:
- I have added the resolution start dates to my Google calendar with an email notification two days beforehand to remind me (for my current project I am adding one new resolution every 21 days, as I have heard it takes 21 days to form a habit).
- I have put calendar reminders (with email notifications) on every day to remind me to actually do my resolutions.
- I have also added the resolutions into an app called "Balanced", which will provide me with reminder notifications every day (see above picture).
- Finally, I have switched from using a paper notebook (which I kept misplacing) to using my Evernote digital notebook (accessible from my iPhone, iPad, or computer) for journaling and recording things I am grateful for.
Now I am off to write down three things I am grateful for and do two minutes of journaling.
Have you ever tried to do a Happiness Project or a 21 Day Challenge? If so, what were your resolutions and what strategies helped you to keep them?