Tag Archives: letters

52+: Connections–Someone with a birthday this month

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I’m good about sending birthday cards, ecards, and gifts to people I love. But when I recently updated my reminders list, I realized there are a number of people I connect with just one day a year. Here’s my nudge to make a deeper connection.

I’m in the mood to break out my pretty wax seals (see photo), so I’m leaning toward sending a newsy letter with lots of questions I hope will prompt a reply. Here are some things I might ask:

  • Have you read any books lately that have inspired you, made you see things from a new perspective, motivated you to change?
  • What are your favorite signs of spring?
  • Do you listen to podcasts or follow any blogs that you think I would enjoy?
  • What are you most looking forward to doing once we’re through the pandemic? What might you miss when we go back to “normal”? (I’m going to miss birdsongs, something I’ve been able to enjoy during our quiet, traffic-lite mornings.)
  • I was thinking back to when we _______. What do you remember from that day/event/experience?

Whether you write or call, make the effort to reach out on a day other than their birthday—and send your regular greetings that day! Think of this nudge as a bonus gift for both of you.

P.S. If you don’t already have reminders in your calendar for upcoming birthdays, maybe this is the week you set it up. While you’re at it, stock up on cards or set up an online account for ecards.

Nudged: Set a small goal and blow it away

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Backstory: Sure, this is about getting things done. But it’s mostly about developing muscle memory. What does it feel like to start something and finish it? Set a goal and achieve it? To win, to succeed, to exceed my own expectations?

Although I complete personal and professional projects every week (I love deadlines), it seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a really big win, so I’m going to start with something “small” and get back in the rhythm of winning. My intention is then to set bigger and bigger goals for myself. How exciting!

The example I wrote down for myself when I created The List was building up to holding a plank for one minute.

What might you do this week?

What Happened: Paint my office!

Well, that was my first idea. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and includes by extension sewing new curtains, replacing the rug, buying new furniture…. But one of the rules of 52 Nudges is this task must be something I can do in one week’s time. Next!

I considered refinishing a small desk, buying supplies and starting a new vegetable garden, sorting that big pile of old files on the floor, or clearing out my closet. Then I took a step back and looked again at the Nudge: “Set a small goal.” Start small. Do something I can really get done.

I chose to open the drawer in my office that has become the catch-all for personal correspondence. Oh, sheesh, what a mess. Yet one of the great joys in my life is receiving and sending letters with friends. This is where I’ll start.

Letter Drawer: Before.

I pulled everything out and organized it by sender. Done!

Letter Drawer: After.

The Ah-Hahs: Okay, so this wasn’t a “big” win, I didn’t feel a glorious sense of achievement. However, this small completed nudge got me one step closer to doing more of something I really love. Now when I have a free 30 minutes, I can grab the item off the top of my neat pile of letters and respond. No digging. Better yet, no opening that drawer and feeling overwhelmed by the mess and closing that drawer without doing anything.

In fact, I wrote two letters yesterday after I completed the nudge. This is a true win for me.