Happy December, Yellow Parachute family. I hope you discovered a sweet combination of new and time-treasured traditions last week over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
And now we’re beginning to gather ourselves for the busy days between now and the end of the year, I’ll offer a mind-set that can inspire your preparation for this sprint – Scrap the schedule and focus instead on building routines and habits.
Why? The concept of “schedule” can serve us, but it doesn’t create an action plan for how to stay motivated to stick with it, even when we don’t want to….which, by the way, we won’t.
Schedule is more about “willpower” and “stick to it,” than building tools to strengthen the muscles of perseverance we, especially right now.
And so we turn instead to pick up routines and habits, tools which we can practice using and improve over time. Remember, that which we track is that which we improve. And voila —-> your former schedule shifts from a disappointment into a daily record of your routine and habit practice.
I’ll talk more about the difference between schedules, routines, and habits over these last few weeks of 2020 in an effort to push us all into 2021 with a new-found strength and optimism.
For now, I’d like to offer you a top three list:
- Get up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
- Make your bed.
- Dress like you’re leaving the house.
I’ll be working on those three along with you. If you already do all three consistently, #4 move for at least 20 minutes each day and #5 hug someone for at least 20 seconds each day.
For more helpful insights visit the new Parent Resources page on YellowParachute.com. You can also download our Wheel of Life tool to start creating momentum today!
Cara Thorpe
Founder & Visionary
Yellow Parachute Learning Partners
www.yellowparachute.com
612-361-7266
