Mondays In Red
September 28, 2009 by Janice
Tricks. Bribes. And clever ruses. Sometimes we walk right into them. Since I counted Mondays last week on a lark, things have changed.
Because I found there were 15 mondays left until the end of the year, my thinking shifted. 15!
And then my actions shifted.
I made a list after counting those Mondays last week. Things I would love to look back with end of December eyes and see them existing, or in some cases not existing. Gone, completed, over. And a couple of things that, well would just be really cool. There aren’t 15, or even 14, I think I stopped at 10. But all of them will make a meaningful difference.
Hm. My neighborhood coffee shop on Prytania used to give us these frequent buyers’ cards. Every time we bought a beverage, the barrista would stamp the card. In Santa Fe, it was my independent bookstore on Garcia. Buy a book, hand over your card for a stamp or a hole punch, one or the other. Both places though, after x number of purchases, came the freebies, or a meaningful discount. A treat. I liked that. I like books and coffee.
Kind of a trick or a bribe, but clever. Builds a good bit of loyalty and feel good on both sides.
Here’s what occurred to me this morning. Mondays are kind of like those cards now. Cards that I want to see stamped. Each one of them a big red bow of opportunity. Each one a way to gift myself on that end of December afternoon when I look back on the year.
Somehow my mind and then my body got that message from following that counting lark. I went after the first thing on my list last Monday. Did not stop until was done. It was pretty major. And check. Done. Huge. And here’s the cool part. It has made a significant difference already on everything else. Huge difference. Because of it, out came big for example. I like that.
14 more Mondays left until the end of the year.
Yes, I am on to item number 2 on my list. Got the stamp for 1 already.
So I am off to the garage this morning working on stamp number two.
Glamour? Maybe not. Artistic? Oh yes. Silks and papers and paints…go into this project box. Can’t wait to see what this shakes loose.
And get another stamp.
And some more peace of mind.
And a smile of satisfaction.
But I am thinking, I would love to come up with a reward for a completed card….
I’ll have to think about that one but …
for now…
Mondays are wrapped in a big gift bow of red.
How about you? Use any tricks or bribes for yourself?
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7 Responses to “Mondays In Red”
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Hahaha!
I lost 15 pounds this summer!!!
I found out when I got on a gym scale this week. And you just reminded me with yr almighty 15 Mondays!
‘Course I am sure the scale is broken…has to be non?
and there is the almighty prospect of keeping it off so I can look back with December eye on all I have wrought.
and then get down on my knees and pray the Snacking Gods stay away!!!
ROFLOL…
… wow 15 pounds!!! Wow!!!
I’ll do a little Snacking Gods Happy Dance for you. Although I think French healthy snacks HAVE to include great dark chocolate, and exquisite cheeses, and succulent fruits…as long as you wear a scarf and walk up and down stairs, shrug arrogantly…all good…I will shrug and make faces all day in honor of your fifteen pounds while I am in the garage. It will be highly entertaining.
The only healthy French snack is the closed mouth.
N’existe pas.
I am taking NY apples with me.
Are these chocolate stamps per chance?
PB,
LOL
Oui, chocolate stamps… or a reward, a box of origins ..hm…there’s a thought.
I better get in gear! Catching up this week, can it really be Wednesday already? I must do double duty this week, 14 more Mondays to go, wow! Less than 100 days left in the whole year. Thinking of action and rewards. Thanks for the warm nudge and the image of the bow.
Karen,
I know, unbelievable isn’t it? Catch up?! I hear you there. And you’re welcome for the bow. 100 days Ach!!!
[...] When I started accidently counting Mondays, I thought it would be great to see my efforts on those Mondays as a gift wrapped in red with a big red bow that I would give myself at the end of the year. Make that late December review exciting. [...]