. . .and no more parents meant no more green beans for dinner. Ever.
“Hooray!” shouted Martha.
She threw her plate of cold green beans right out the window.
Then she grabbed a box of cookies and settled on the couch to watch her favorite movies long past her bedtime.
Martha was happy.
But not really.
from How Martha Saved Her Family From Green Beans
written by David LaRochelle
illustrated by Mark Fearing
Dial, 2013
On soft, lazy days I’m comfortable in my habits. I don’t really want any new ones.
But on those days close to the New Year, especially, I’m more open to self-improvement. I don’t need another resolution or intension or idea. I need a goal that becomes a habit. And that means work.
Great ideas make it onto my to-do list, but they don’t always get checked off in the “did” column.
Uncleaned closets are still on the list. So are unmade phone calls to old friends, un-deleted e-mails, and daily exercise. Maybe I should intend to sporadically exercise! That’s something I could sometimes complete.
Intensions are serious for some people. I admire them. Resolutions can be effective, but, most of mine have fallen by the wayside, only to be re-resolved on the first day of Spring, or my birthday.
I’ve paved many roads to hell with my not-carried-through intensions.
What has worked best for me is to set a goal and follow the SMART plan to follow through. My daughter first told me about it, and I used it at my work. Then it popped up again at a Weight Watcher’s meeting not too long ago.
Basically a goal needs to be:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Reasonable
Timely
This year, I’ll focus on my writing.
I’ll work on a project for at least 30 minutes every day.
It is specific.
I will measure it.
I can do it.
It is reasonable.
I have till the end of each day to accomplish my goal.
What if I don’t meet this daily goal?
I’ll decide about consequences another day! For now, I’ll work on my new habit. --stay curious!
“Hooray!” shouted Martha.
She threw her plate of cold green beans right out the window.
Then she grabbed a box of cookies and settled on the couch to watch her favorite movies long past her bedtime.
Martha was happy.
But not really.
from How Martha Saved Her Family From Green Beans
written by David LaRochelle
illustrated by Mark Fearing
Dial, 2013
On soft, lazy days I’m comfortable in my habits. I don’t really want any new ones.
But on those days close to the New Year, especially, I’m more open to self-improvement. I don’t need another resolution or intension or idea. I need a goal that becomes a habit. And that means work.
Great ideas make it onto my to-do list, but they don’t always get checked off in the “did” column.
Uncleaned closets are still on the list. So are unmade phone calls to old friends, un-deleted e-mails, and daily exercise. Maybe I should intend to sporadically exercise! That’s something I could sometimes complete.
Intensions are serious for some people. I admire them. Resolutions can be effective, but, most of mine have fallen by the wayside, only to be re-resolved on the first day of Spring, or my birthday.
I’ve paved many roads to hell with my not-carried-through intensions.
What has worked best for me is to set a goal and follow the SMART plan to follow through. My daughter first told me about it, and I used it at my work. Then it popped up again at a Weight Watcher’s meeting not too long ago.
Basically a goal needs to be:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Reasonable
Timely
This year, I’ll focus on my writing.
I’ll work on a project for at least 30 minutes every day.
It is specific.
I will measure it.
I can do it.
It is reasonable.
I have till the end of each day to accomplish my goal.
What if I don’t meet this daily goal?
I’ll decide about consequences another day! For now, I’ll work on my new habit. --stay curious!
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