the hows ...

How long does it take to create a habit?

Some scientists say that a habit can be formed in as few as 21 days; others insist that it takes as many as 66 days.  I'll hedge my bets and spend the next six months reading and writing as many words as possible.

I'm thinking this endeavor will require quite a bit of structure and discipline -- things for which I'm not really known.  I'm more of a procrastinator -- queen of the last minute term paper.  Starting strong isn't a problem, but I fizzle out within a week.  So how do I trick my brain into hanging in there like that kitty on the motivational posters?

I picked up This Year I Will by MJ Ryan, one of the many self-help books I've purchased over the years, and re-read it.  I'd been too far gone into my tidal mood swings to make sense of what I'd read the first time but found some solid advice on its pages, honing onto a possible reason I've failed so often in the past.

Choosing too many resolutions -- lose weight, become a vegan, run a marathon, finish my education, organize my entire home -- practically drowns my efforts before I start.  Ryan suggests focusing on one thing -- keep your eyes on the prize, so to speak.  So I had to think -- what change in my life would make me the happiest?  Choosing to write -- to finish a writing project -- might possibly be one of the easiest decisions of my life.

Now for the good part:  scheduling and making lists.  Close friends and family know I love to make lists -- whether or not I complete the items on the list used to be a moot point -- the joy was in the making.  Yesterday I made SMART goals, wrote a contract with myself, created progress-tracking spreadsheets, set alarm reminders on my iPhone, and scheduled time in my planner.

The next part is harder:  follow the plan.  I'm not sure what will keep me on the right path.  Bribery isn't usually a good motivator for me, and I've broken promises with myself too many times to count.  I'll have to keep thinking about it -- I have to make it work.

So today is Day One:  Create a journal entry.

Done.