For the past three weeks, I have been actively working towards the goals I have established for myself in My Happiness Project. I have been testing the waters with different strategies to monitor the completion of my action steps–that way, I can feel a sense of completion and thus increased satisfaction with myself and my progress. This is what I’ve come up for my methodology:
- Write down 1-2 action steps from each goal on my whiteboard
- Tally or cross off each action step as it is accomplished
- Start over each week with a new set of action steps, but hopefully building from the previous ones
Each Sunday, I have been evaluating what went well and where there is room for improvement. Sometimes I’ve included the same action steps for the following week to see if I can increase frequency. Sometimes I’ve added new action steps that I think will contribute to my goals.
For example, I was able to reach out to both old friends and family members by phone and snail mail last week. However, I didn’t walk after every dinner as I had hoped for. Because these are such small adjustments, they aren’t causing me extreme feelings of grief or triumph if they are/are not completed. Rather, they are incremental changes to my lifestyle that are building upon one another, prompting more reflection and the development of better habits.
One of my action steps during the first week of this project was to “make my bed every morning.” For my dad and friends at home, you probably snark at the idea that I would actually make my bed (what’s the point if I’m going to climb back in at the end of the day?). But I thought I would give it a try. Now, it’s been three weeks and my bed has been made every morning. It’s funny how accomplishing such a miniscule task first thing really sets the tone for the rest of the day. Plus, my bed looks neat, which translates into the overall cleanliness of my room. Believe it or not, my bedroom has been organized and clutter-free since I started! Just little victories that are removing any sense of negativity from my environment.
Since I started my project, I was recommended the audiobook for The Happiness Project (apparently I’m not as original as I anticipated) and have been using it as a basis for more research and insight. The author, Gretchin Rubin guides me through her 12 month plan of changes, improvements, perspectives that helped her add more happiness to her life. In the first chapter, she mentions that her reasons for this year long experiment are not a result of her discontentment, but rather as a means for increasing her satisfaction in life.
I couldn’t agree more!
This year I lost my mom. And it is probably one of the most challenging setbacks that I will ever have to overcome in my life. But I am still happy. She would want me to be.
I want to maximize the joy, adventure, learning and love that I can give and receive in this life I lead. I seek to become the best version of myself, as a daughter, sister, friend, student, girlfriend, employee, colleague, and citizen of the world.
Yes, I am already HAPPY! My Happiness Project is just another way to continue to bring a bigger smile to my face and hopefully start a chain reaction of joy and love to those around me.
I’m going to leave this right here for you… happy weekend!
