Tuesday, February 10, 2009

progress

And now, a little progress report.

See, normally I would be bemoaning the fact that I haven't made more progress in 2009. But I'm trying to be kinder to myself. I'm giving myself a break and remembering that I was sick for two weeks and I've had sick kids. In short, I'm celebrating every little bit of progress.

I have cut down on my candy consumption. That's progress.

I started exercising again after almost two months off. And after seeing Kristi's post from the gym where her bike was telling her to pedal faster, I did. I upped my workout difficulty and duration and have been doing it for three weeks now. That's progress.

I've been better about washing my face at night. That's progress.

I had a cleaning epiphany: I discovered by chance that it only took 10 minutes to do my dreaded task of mopping. 10 minutes! (Not a thorough mopping like Emily's where she wiped down all the cupboards, but still...) I can do anything for 10 minutes. I should be mopping a lot more frequently now. That's progress.

I painted the inside of the front door and the door trim. I also painted the shelves for our interminable bookcase project, which brings it nearer to completion. That's progress.

I've been reading my scriptures absolutely every night. That's progress.

Here's to more. And more...

20 comments:

Jill said...

I'm so glad you've decided to be kinder to yourself, that's big progress!

All of these efforts are great and will be life-changing I'm sure. Good job!

Anonymous said...

This is so refreshing to read. Really inspiring to see someone else that I admire making positive changes :) Good work Michelle, thanks for documenting it!

amy gretchen said...

This is excellent progress Michelle. I like that you're doing this.

I wish I had cut down on my candy consumption. I think mine has increased since the new year.

Holly said...

I think being kinder to ourselves is huge since that alone can impact almost everything else. It's a wonderful starting point I think (and I appreciate the reminder). Sometimes I catch myself thinking (about being kind to myself), if not me, who?

You are making progress--and documenting it helps you see it.

Amy said...

I love your progress report, Michelle. The candy, the exercise, the mopping - those are big! I think you're pretty amazing.

patsy said...

HOLY COW this is TOns of progress! I am thinking PROGREss should be my word now...

I am so thrilled & inspired (especially in the dreariness of winter) to hear of your progress.

GREAT stuff here! :)

Anonymous said...

That's more than a little progress - I am amazed at how many things you are tackling all at once. I recently read from M. Russell Ballard that we can improve self-discipline without having self-respect, so I am glad that you are being kinder to yourself!

Becky said...

This is loads of progress! It's an impressive list, frankly...so, I'm glad you are being kind to yourself :)

I had that time epiphany with the dishes. I actually enjoy doing dishes but some nights (after making something that required lots of pots which require hand-washing) I would feel so overwhelmed. Then, I timed myself and discovered that the hugest sink/counter full of dishes takes me, at most, 15 minutes to complete. Joy!

Elizabeth said...

Way to go! I love that the word you picked helps you stop and realize the things you are actually doing well. When I do that I seem to start doing more.

j said...

wow chica- this is MORE than progress- this is lifechanging huge amounts of stuff!!! and how much do i LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture?!

good job on all the progress! i love that when i'm suffering on a treadmill and making my 3rd bathroom trip in 45 minutes, i can visualize these other women i know through blogging doing the same thing (likely without the potty breaks, but still).

being kinder to yourself is hugely significant. i think it's underestimated how much power is in that- and how much better we can become if we do it. must remember that in my daily life...

everything pink! said...

hmmm i have never thought about timing my self to see how long it takes to do a cleaning project, that may actually work for someone like me who thinks there is too much to do so i do nothing (when it comes to cleaning)
I quite like that idea.

Just think of the darling book you can make yourself at the end of the year called the progress report, with your darling photo on the front with your monthly reports - what a wonderful journal for the year.

me and progressing (not that you asked i am just sharing anyway)- i think I have progressed this year by trying really hard to find some inner strength that i have never found before, i am diggin' deep my friend. one of the things i have discovered is that next year my word of the year is going to be chocolate - this year's word was too hard!

shannon said...

I, too, am inspired by your progress...I'm working on some similar goals (cutting down on candy consumption--exercising--scripture reading) I like that you said that you can do anything for 10 minutes--very true...
Keep up the good work, my friend!

That picture is so awesome!

April said...

Oh, I love your poster. when I saw those, I immediately thought of you and your word. So happy you made one.

I love your record of progress. I need to keep myself more accountable...it is a beautiful thing to see.

Charlotte said...

This is all progress! It's way more motivating to continuing progressing when you value all the seemingly small things that still do count as progress. Here's to more progress!

Bond Girl 007 said...

I like this word, especially because it sustains mobility and that is a good thing, always moving forward, progressing. This sounds like a good combination for you. Hooray for feeling accomplished that is progress.

Liz said...

Hurray for progress!

And seriously, only 10 minutes? That is great! I timed myself the other day and I think it was 20 min. But my back kills me to mop, so I have to take it easy...then lie down afterwards. I hate having back trouble!

Here's good wishes that you have even more progress!

Natasha said...

Sounds like progress to me!

Denise said...

Impressive, indeed!

Crystalyn said...

great perspective michelle! i like what you're looking at instead of bemoaning the fact that you think it's little. i think it's great.

love your cleaning epiphany. i'm having the same ones around here. i think a lot of it has to do with momentum and once i get that going i find that all the things hanging over my head are just 10 minutes here and there.

here's to your progress momentum!

Barb said...

You got the best result from obamican that I have seen. Progress should be my word. It makes me happy to be able to recognize progress (I'm happy for you)

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