Tag Archives: The List

Countdown to 3.0–How 52Nudges works

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Happy December!

As we get ready to launch round 3.0 of 52Nudges, I thought this would be a good time to review the basic steps:

  1. Create your List.
  2. Type up your List of Nudges and print it out.
  3. Cut each Nudge into a strip.
  4. Wad up each strip and put them all into a bowl.
  5. Every Sunday, pull one Nudge.
  6. Decide if you’re going to take a pass. (I allow myself 4.)
  7. Commit to doing that Nudge in the coming week.
  8. During the week, note “What Happened.”
  9. When you’ve completed the Nudge, check in with yourself and note the “Ah-Hahs.”

 

Take a look at the archives for examples, and don’t stress. You can jump in any time, do the Nudges I pull, or simply read about my adventures (which I hope will inspire and motivate you).

If you need help with creating your own List of Nudges, grab the 52Nudges Workbook. It’s available only on this site.

 

 

52Nudges Workbook: Exercises, Tips & Inspiration for Launching Yourself Forward in Life

downloadable & printable PDF

Just US $9.95!

Making my List, checking it twice

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As I get ready to finalize my List of Nudges for 52Nudges 3.0, I’m giving it one final review to make sure every Nudges meets all the criteria:

  • Is this something I can do in one week’s time?
  • Is it inexpensive? (I aimed to keep everything at $20 or less.)
  • Does it make me uncomfortable? (It should.)
  • Is it fun? (Most should have some element of fun.)

This year, as I include Radical Self-Care in my plans, I’m adding one final criteria:

  • Do I really want to do this?

I have a long to-do list of big tasks and projects I should do. They are important, sure, and I should do them—and I will. But for the 52Nudges project, I want to make sure I’m not setting myself up for a week of drudgery and/or misery.

This doesn’t mean I won’t include some shoulds. For example, I have a table in my office loaded with recipe books and files. This mess is a daily reminder of my need to do a massive decluttering of these items, to cull out the dishes I no longer wish to make or eat, to extract new dishes I’d like to try, and to finally share the books that have for so long taken up space in my life. This is a big should for me, and yet, I know I will feel so good when it’s done. I know I’ll feel a sense of accomplishment after I’ve dedicated consistent time to it. And maybe I’ll discover a new “favorite” dinner entree!

“Spend 15 mins/day going through recipe books” is on my List.

I’ll share my full List of possible Nudges soon, so you can follow along with me or use it as inspiration for creating your own.

And if you need help with your List, check out the 52Nudges Workbook. I include the exercises I worked through, exercises I hope will also inspire and motivate you.

 

 

52Nudges Workbook: Exercises, Tips & Inspiration for Launching Yourself Forward in Life

downloadable & printable PDF

US $9.95

Am I tired, burned out, or…?

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As I prepared for a minor medical procedure (I’m fine, by the way), I scrambled to get all my work done ahead of time so I could take a couple of days off to recover. I finally had an “excuse” to take a break from my 24/7 schedule (because there’s client work + my work + household and family care), and I found myself looking forward to the downtime—to rest, to watch chick flicks, to read a book purely for my own pleasure.

What is wrong with me?! Why do I have to have something happen that lays me flat, that forces me to be still, to finally take some time for myself?

I’ve been recognizing this pattern a lot lately and acknowledging that I am Burned Out. Then this article came out, and I think there’s more to it.

 

“What is High-Functioning Anxiety?” writer Dominique Michelle Astorino asks. It features:

  • Overthinking
  • People-pleasing
  • Inability to slow down
  • Fear of failure
  • Overplanning
  • Poor boundaries

 

What are the symptoms? They include:

  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Worry
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feeling depleted

Check check check…. Dangit!

All of this supports and motivates my decision to include some Radical Self-Care in my List of upcoming 52Nudges. In addition to adding some pampering (I can’t even remember the last time I treated myself to nice body lotion), I’ll be adding things like “Reevaluate a long-term friendship” and “Say ‘No’ without giving an explanation”.

I welcome your suggestions. What Radical Self-Care practices have you done that worked for you in the past? What are some acts of self-kindness you would like to do (but have been putting off)? Please share with me—with all of us—in Comments.

Need help putting together your List? Check out the 52Nudges Workbook for exercises, tips, and inspiration. You’ll find everything you need to get ready for the 3.0 launch on December 12.

 

 

downloadable & printable PDF

US $9.95

Wait…we’re starting in December?!

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As I thought about when to launch 52Nudges 3.0, I wrestled with all the obstacles: I’m busy with work, my family needs me, as soon as I finish…. And then the Holiday Season snuck up on me. “I’ll just push this into the new year,” I told myself, because then…maybe…I’ll have some time to do something for me.

Sound familiar?

In the meantime, I’ve started brainstorming about my List and noticing that what I want and need is more self-care nudges. I look back on the past two years and realize how many other people’s needs have taken priority over my own. I take care of my husband, dog, clients, neighbors, elderly parents, family members, and friends. Heck, I’m even responsible for keeping all of our houseplants alive! When will it be my turn?

How about now? Right now. I’m going to start this Season of Giving by getting into the habit of giving a little something extra to myself.

My List may include “Take a long, hot bubble bath”, “Treat myself to a mani-pedi”, and “Give myself a home facial”. I’m also going deeper. I’m going for RADICAL SELF-CARE, which may include nudges along the lines of “Eliminate (or delegate) a big responsibility”, “Unpack a worry and craft alternate affirmations for it”, and “Reevaluate a ‘friendship'”.

I’ll pull my first nudge on December 12, and I hope you’ll be joining me.

Nudging: 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?

P.S. 52nudges is now on Instagram!

Nudging: Do something crafty

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Backstory: Back in my single days, I was very crafty. I made wreaths with my glue gun, I created elaborate table centers, I sewed. Not just mending; I made curtains and duvet covers without patterns and created all my prom and formal dresses. Legit! In my early 30s I discovered a friend and I shared a love for needlework and…wouldn’t it be more fun to do it together? We made a date and worked on our own projects while we chatted. The following month, we invited a few other friends to join us, and our group became the Crafts Babes.

Then life got busy. Work, responsibilities, and household projects took over. Then I got married, and my “free” time was not entirely my own. That’s a good thing, of course. But as I was putting together The List for this year’s nudges, I recalled things I used to love to do and vowed to do them again.

This week, that means I’m going to get crafty.

As always, you can do this nudge along with me or come up with another task that fits the intention. What was something you once loved to do that you haven’t done in a long time?

Nudging: Bake cookies

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Backstory: This nudge came from some brainstorming I did as I thought about what to include on The List. I devoted some time to recall “Things I loved doing when I was a kid.” I loved baking! I loved being creative in the kitchen! In elementary school, my best pal (Hi, Krista!) and I did a lot of experimenting and even had our own sort of “signature” chocolate chip cookie recipe.

So this is my nudge to get back to doing things that feed my soul. The “uncomfortable” part? Well, I don’t really like eating most baked goods. (I know, crazy.) I’ll give them a taste, then I’ll give the rest away in care packages. Feels like a win-win!

As always, you can do this week’s nudge with me or pick something that speaks to you. What did you love doing when you were eight years old? Here’s your excuse to do it again.

Nudging: Go to the beach

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Backstory: When I was compiling The List for nudges, I thought about skills I want to learn, activities I loved doing as a kid and might enjoy doing again, and all sorts of things that have fed my soul in the past and might still work their magic on me today. This week’s nudge falls into that last category.

I grew up on the beaches of Southern California. I body-surfed, explored tide pools, cooked meals over fire pits, and sometimes just sat and watched and listened. The beach is where I went when I needed to clear my head, rest my body (or sometimes reboot it with a strenuous workout), and refuel my spirit.

I’ve now lived in Northern California for over a decade and I have yet to walk on the beach closest to my home. It’s cold here! It’s windy! It’s not the same!

Lately I’ve felt a longing to get back to the beach. I’m so glad I pulled this nudge this week. It’s time.

Nudging: Say “yes” to something new

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Backstory: When I was putting together The List, I almost pulled this nudge off. It feels kinda vague. But on final review, I kept it because it forces me to be in the moment, to be open to whatever may come.

Will I be invited to a social event that feels outside my comfort (or fashion) zone? Will I see an opening in a class that’s just a little outside my (financial or intellectual) reach? Will I get an opportunity to experiment on something that’s always looked like fun but had me doubting my ability to even try?

We’ll find out! 🙂

Have fun with this! If you need inspiration, check out Shonda Rhimes’ book Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person.

Nudging: Finalize The List 2.0

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Backstory: We’re almost there! For the past few weeks I’ve been doing exercises to come up with nudges. (Scroll back through those posts if you want to do them too.) I have a long list of challenges that encompasses Passion & Play, Creativity, Spiritual Growth, Work, Self-Care, Home Care, and miscellaneous fun stuff.

Now it’s time to cut it down.

This week I’m going to read through my list and consider if each proposed nudge fits the following criteria:

  • Is this something I can do in one week’s time?
  • Is it inexpensive?
  • Does it make me uncomfortable? (It should.)
  • Is it fun? (Most should have some element of fun.)

Mid-week I’ll share my final list so you can see it too. Then I’m going to cut it into strips, wad each strip into a ball, and put those balls in my specially designated bowl.

52Nudges 2.0 starts Sunday, September 8!

It’s never too late to join in. Feel free to do the nudges I pull with me, or simply read along as I go through the process and take inspiration whenever it comes.

If you’d like to create your own list, you’ll find some items for inspiration in the right sidebar.

Finally, if you haven’t already, sign up to automatically receive the posts in your inbox by entering your email address in the Subscribe box above. It’s FREE! I hope you’ll also invite friends to join us in this adventure.