Whiteboard post #1
I'll post this under a cut so you can skim by quickly if necessary.
If you read the previous update, you know that I'm making five changes to my life. I'm doing them in small increments so I can manage them.
What I put on the whiteboard is this:
1. New, better paying job: Apply for at least one job this week that I think I'm underqualified for.
Logic: I think I have been undercutting myself by only applying for jobs I think I can get. I may be underestimating myself. It's better to aim higher and miss than aim low and hit, particularly when I hit on a job that can't pay the bills. I'm working now, so I have income. I'm reasonably safe for the moment, and my manager knows I'm looking for something else. She says that she totally understands that I may need to shoot higher. Here's the problem: the job market is so depressed in North Idaho that making this goal might be out of my control.
2. Managing debt: Pay off the lowest bill on my list this week.
Logic: Killing off one bill will get it out of my life and free up more income for the others. This is called the Snowball Method.
3. 40 pound weight loss: Walk 40 minutes per day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Logic: Start with exercise first, so that I can keep from killing my metabolism when I start limiting calories. I have to make myself do this on the days that I work, because I know I'll be tired. Also, it will be late in the day, and I'll have to race the sun on its way down. I'm not walking Friday, because that's payday and there are too many errands to run. I won't make it home before dark.
4. Writing: 1000 words per day (or night) for the next seven days.
Logic: Obvious. The only way to get back into writing is to get back into the discipline of it. Again, this will be tough when I work, because I am opening the store all this week and have to be there by 5:30 a.m. Still, if I don't do it, I won't produce anything.
5. More sociability: One LJ post every day for seven days.
Logic: Right now, socializing IRL can't really happen, though there are things in the works to change that. I'm planning on being here more often. If you like, you can encourage me to keep this goal.
The filter idea I had was to make myself accountable on #3 by posting pictures and progress. This may not happen because I don't like to set myself up for failure. It may happen, but not on a regular schedule. And I doubt there will be much progress for awhile, anyway.
I will post whiteboard posts once a week from now on, though, so there will be some progress there. I hope.
Man, I hope I'm not setting myself up for a huge flameout.
If you stuck through and read this to the end, thank you. Suggestions are welcome, and I'd love it if you shared your experiences, too.
If you read the previous update, you know that I'm making five changes to my life. I'm doing them in small increments so I can manage them.
What I put on the whiteboard is this:
1. New, better paying job: Apply for at least one job this week that I think I'm underqualified for.
Logic: I think I have been undercutting myself by only applying for jobs I think I can get. I may be underestimating myself. It's better to aim higher and miss than aim low and hit, particularly when I hit on a job that can't pay the bills. I'm working now, so I have income. I'm reasonably safe for the moment, and my manager knows I'm looking for something else. She says that she totally understands that I may need to shoot higher. Here's the problem: the job market is so depressed in North Idaho that making this goal might be out of my control.
2. Managing debt: Pay off the lowest bill on my list this week.
Logic: Killing off one bill will get it out of my life and free up more income for the others. This is called the Snowball Method.
3. 40 pound weight loss: Walk 40 minutes per day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Logic: Start with exercise first, so that I can keep from killing my metabolism when I start limiting calories. I have to make myself do this on the days that I work, because I know I'll be tired. Also, it will be late in the day, and I'll have to race the sun on its way down. I'm not walking Friday, because that's payday and there are too many errands to run. I won't make it home before dark.
4. Writing: 1000 words per day (or night) for the next seven days.
Logic: Obvious. The only way to get back into writing is to get back into the discipline of it. Again, this will be tough when I work, because I am opening the store all this week and have to be there by 5:30 a.m. Still, if I don't do it, I won't produce anything.
5. More sociability: One LJ post every day for seven days.
Logic: Right now, socializing IRL can't really happen, though there are things in the works to change that. I'm planning on being here more often. If you like, you can encourage me to keep this goal.
The filter idea I had was to make myself accountable on #3 by posting pictures and progress. This may not happen because I don't like to set myself up for failure. It may happen, but not on a regular schedule. And I doubt there will be much progress for awhile, anyway.
I will post whiteboard posts once a week from now on, though, so there will be some progress there. I hope.
Man, I hope I'm not setting myself up for a huge flameout.
If you stuck through and read this to the end, thank you. Suggestions are welcome, and I'd love it if you shared your experiences, too.