Monday, January 31, 2011

The Happiness Project: Chapter One

Welcome to the Chapter One - blog post!
Better late than never right, sorry for the delayed post, I have been a little busy the last couple of days with my new long term teaching job.

(copy and paste for your page)

This week I would like for us to reflect on how we can accomplished these tasks for ourselves:
How can you sleep better?
Sleeping better was a big part of Rubin's 1st chapter and I have to say it rings true in my life as well. I have been working really hard on sleeping better to increase my own energy and productivity. My methods for sleeping better include going to bed early regardless of whether or not I am tired. Sounds easy right? Wrong it is so hard, I have become quite the night owl and I do not like going to bed early but I do love being able to wake up in the morning not feeling like a I need toothpicks to hold up my heavy eye lids.

What can you do to improve your workout routine?
Workout, what is that? No just kidding! But really I have been a total slacker about working out lately. I was getting back on track for running and then I came down with a cold and have not found the motivation to get back into it. But what I need to do to improve my workout routine is to have a schedule. I have decided that I will wake up early on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and workout for a minimum of 20 minutes before getting ready for work. As Rudin explains "even a quick ten minute walk provides an immediate energy boost and improves mood - in fact exercise is an effective way to snap out of a funk."
Wish me luck =)

How can you get organized in your life?
Taking some advice from Rudin I started in my closet and begin organizing every part of my house. I know this sounds quite crazy but opening my kitchen cabinets and seeing organiztion has made me happy =). I have also begun trying to pick up after myself as Rubin says "Do it now! Don't postpone any task that could be done in less than one minute." And as silly as it sounds this one rule has been so helpful to me in organizing my life.

What is a nagging task that you need to complete?
(Post it, and tell us a goal for when it will be completed.)
Hmmm...when reading the book I thought it would be easy to come up with a nagging task but I think because it is a nagging task I have filed it away in the back of my mind in order to forget it exists. One nagging task I need to complete is organizing our home office, complete with filing system, pictures and scrap-booking supplies, realistically it probably won't get down until this summer when school gets out.

How can we get our energy levels up?
Energy levels...my energy levels have actually gone up just by doing all of the above things but one more thing that has really helped bring my energy levels up is just a "fake it till you make it" approach to energy!


3 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I need to get organized, I will say that. I also need to work on those nagging tasks! I will be in Feb! I am going to focus on those two this month.... I need a little boost to my step, and that is what I am striving for! :-) Happy Reading!

I am so happy to hear that your energy levels are increasing!! Yay, good for you!

Kristin said...

I like the idea of just getting it done with in the morning. I started working out in the mornings a few months ago and completely see the difference and benefit. I find if I just get it done, I don't find myself coming home with a thousand excuses of why to not work out, which has been my problem! :)

Kristin
My Happiness Project

Leslee said...

A couple of great ideas! You know me... organizied beyond words, but it makes life (for me) much easier! Exercising... again for me, morning is it or nothing! I simply do not have the energy to workout after work!

Good luck on your endeavors...