Nope. Not consistently. However, I do go over and above to keep my word to others. But when it comes to keeping my word to myself I come up short.

I was recently participating in a 30-day spring cleanse. I wanted to let go of some habits that had crept back in over the winter. The first 2 weeks my word to myself was impeccable. I was getting back into my morning routine and the habits that I know serve me, benefit my health and leave me feeling and doing my best. I was actively crowding out the bad with good. The result already? I had more energy, clearer thinking, less bloating and less hunger cravings – yes, I was back!

Enter the 3rd week. I let my guard down one day and then another. I still had the new habits BUT I was also layering back in habits I was trying to replace. Why? Old patterns, habits and beliefs are hard to change. I made excuses and told myself the stories I like to hear about why I made choices that do not support what I was/am trying to accomplish.

Enter the 5th week. Reflecting back over the past 4 weeks and MANY years I am beginning to see my patterns. I get to a point and I either stop doing the good habits I say I want because I think ‘meh, I’ve got this’ or I justify that doing or having X this once or twice is ok – after all isn’t life for living and doing it all? I also believe that the ‘good’ habits will balance out my not so good ones (ha! we all know you can’t out exercise a bad diet). Another favorite of mine – the occasional splurge is fine and is a healthy part of balance (that part is true) the rub is – as long as it is an occasional splurge!

Is there a magic formula? Yes and no

YES! Having been in that sweet spot before, being consistent with my habits is where the magic happens. I am in control, I am spending my time wisely and how I want, I am getting projects done, exercising regularly, meditating and eating right for my health. Even though that sounds like a lot and that I must have to give up other fun/useful things it’s not and I don’t. When I am in flow and doing the right things for MYSELF I have more time than when I am letting life come at me and I just go where it takes me.

NO! Because it’s hard work! It’s way easier to scroll, to binge that next show or do whatever distraction is coming my way because ‘I might not have the chance to do, or see or have X again’. That is one of my favorite stories I tell myself to justify not keeping my word to myself. Another favorite is I will say yes to either do or go somewhere or help someone else out but it’s usually at the expense of my goals and ultimately another excuse for not doing the work I say I want to do.

What am I learning about myself and how can I keep my word to myself?

I am recognizing that my struggle with keeping my word to myself is linked to the following:

• I have not set clear goals for my health, fun, work, finance
• I let short-term thinking run the show
• My FOMO convinces me I better say yes just in case (eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die)
• I am trying too hard, adding in too many new things and again not having a clear goal or why

Next Steps

After hearing rave reviews of the Clever Fox Planner. I purchased one. This planner comes with directions or as they call it a How it Works Guide. I found that annoying, intimidating and overwhelming initially. It took me a solid week of eyeing the planner from afar, to taking it out of the package, to picking it up and flipping through the pages and scanning the instructions before I actually sat down with it.

Today, it’s been over 2 weeks of having this planner and I am coming around to it. I had to get past a number of mental blocks but I have started using it. First, I had to read the How it Works booklet. Several more days passed until I picked it up again. Next, I decided I was being ridiculous it’s simply a tool to help me do what I keep saying I want to do. I decided to start with the parts that worked and made sense to me. I filled out the first month calendar. My month started April 14 and ends on May 18. These 5 weeks are laid out for me to see. I added in what is already on my calendar like teaching yoga, guiding an MOE and any other appointments. I discovered I like seeing the whole month written out. This planner also guides you (me) in creating a life vision, defining core values, passions and defining and breaking down short and long-term goals. It gives you space for positive affirmations, expressing gratitude, vision boarding. There’s space for checking in with yourself and writing down what’s working and what you can improve. This planer claims it “will become a true game-changer for you if you commit to it.” AH! There’s the rub and the magic – if I commit to it. Well, I am committing to it for 3 months (it’s a 3 month planner) if at the end of the 3 months I discover it it truly helping to guide me in then I will continue on.

This is my spring project along with blogging once a week and keeping my word to myself.*

*note to self those need to be SMART goals. It’s a journey not a destination! ❤️