SOCIAL MEDIA

::The Seinfeld Method::Don't Break the Chain::  In an interview fellow comic Brad Isaac shared a secret to productivity shared with him by Jerry Seinfeld.  Jerry told Brad that the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes and the way to create better jokes was to write every day.  He told Brad to get a big wall calendar - one with a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall.  The next step was to get a big red magic marker and place a big red X over each day where you've completed your writing task.  After a few days you'll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You'll like seeing that chain especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job is to not break the chain.

We have 34 days left in the year 2017. So, it's time to start thinking about goals right? New year, new you, new challenges and all of that. Maybe you don't want to change your whole entire self but we all have a few things we need to work on, goals we are chasing. Guess what? I suck at sticking with it most of the time. I need lots of tricks, crutches, carrots dangling out in front of my nose. I also need something tangible to look at, it helps me to write things down for example... blogging, my planner, even the short lived bullet journal (way too much work). It also is extremely helpful to me to keep the goals short term. I can't say "I will not eat nachos for the next 365 days" or "this year I will stay off Tinder"... not gonna happen. But I could do either one of those things for maybe a month or a season. That is building momentum toward a bigger goal like eating healthier, focusing on more meaningful relationships or whatever it may be.

So this coming year once again,I am not setting long term goals. Don't get me wrong, they are in my conscious like 24/7 ad nauseum because... Virgo... but I am going even smaller this year. Like one day at a time smaller. I recently stumbled upon something called a Don't Break The Chain Calendar on Instagram. It's actually a method that Jerry Seinfeld came up with to challenge himself to write new material each day. One of the Keto bloggers I follow posted about her year long Keto journey and using this type of calendar to focus on one day of Keto at a time and simply not breaking the chain.

On average it takes 66 days to form a new habit. That will certainly vary based on the person and many other factors. The reality is that it takes more like anywhere from 18 to 254 days for most of us. I know, that's a huge discrepancy and I would be willing to bet you know roughly where you fit on the spectrum. I think I am somewhere around the average area. If I do something for 66 days I typically can keep it going for maybe another 60, then I start to wane and slack off. I don't really know why but it seems to be a pattern. So this year I am going to pick one or two "big ticket items" if you will and just see how long I can go before I break the chain. I haven't decided exactly what they are going to be yet but I am going to start now just for practice with Keto for the next however long I can make it till a holiday party throws egg nog or cookies in my face and I break down. I think there will be something very motivating about just seeing the chain grow.

Free 2017 Don’t Break the Chain Calendar | Motivational Tool Printable | Karen Kavett


Anyone interested in taking a stab at this and keeping each other accountable? 

Don't Break The Chain

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

::The Seinfeld Method::Don't Break the Chain::  In an interview fellow comic Brad Isaac shared a secret to productivity shared with him by Jerry Seinfeld.  Jerry told Brad that the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes and the way to create better jokes was to write every day.  He told Brad to get a big wall calendar - one with a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall.  The next step was to get a big red magic marker and place a big red X over each day where you've completed your writing task.  After a few days you'll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You'll like seeing that chain especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job is to not break the chain.

We have 34 days left in the year 2017. So, it's time to start thinking about goals right? New year, new you, new challenges and all of that. Maybe you don't want to change your whole entire self but we all have a few things we need to work on, goals we are chasing. Guess what? I suck at sticking with it most of the time. I need lots of tricks, crutches, carrots dangling out in front of my nose. I also need something tangible to look at, it helps me to write things down for example... blogging, my planner, even the short lived bullet journal (way too much work). It also is extremely helpful to me to keep the goals short term. I can't say "I will not eat nachos for the next 365 days" or "this year I will stay off Tinder"... not gonna happen. But I could do either one of those things for maybe a month or a season. That is building momentum toward a bigger goal like eating healthier, focusing on more meaningful relationships or whatever it may be.

So this coming year once again,I am not setting long term goals. Don't get me wrong, they are in my conscious like 24/7 ad nauseum because... Virgo... but I am going even smaller this year. Like one day at a time smaller. I recently stumbled upon something called a Don't Break The Chain Calendar on Instagram. It's actually a method that Jerry Seinfeld came up with to challenge himself to write new material each day. One of the Keto bloggers I follow posted about her year long Keto journey and using this type of calendar to focus on one day of Keto at a time and simply not breaking the chain.

On average it takes 66 days to form a new habit. That will certainly vary based on the person and many other factors. The reality is that it takes more like anywhere from 18 to 254 days for most of us. I know, that's a huge discrepancy and I would be willing to bet you know roughly where you fit on the spectrum. I think I am somewhere around the average area. If I do something for 66 days I typically can keep it going for maybe another 60, then I start to wane and slack off. I don't really know why but it seems to be a pattern. So this year I am going to pick one or two "big ticket items" if you will and just see how long I can go before I break the chain. I haven't decided exactly what they are going to be yet but I am going to start now just for practice with Keto for the next however long I can make it till a holiday party throws egg nog or cookies in my face and I break down. I think there will be something very motivating about just seeing the chain grow.

Free 2017 Don’t Break the Chain Calendar | Motivational Tool Printable | Karen Kavett


Anyone interested in taking a stab at this and keeping each other accountable? 

light, winter, and tree image

What a fabulous holiday, I hope you had one too. I haven't been here much lately so I thought I would sit down and try to catch up on some things. I have been feeling blog challenged for quite some time now but I am not quite ready to throw in the towel permanently. Afterall, it's almost Whole30 time and that is worth quite a few really good blog posts, but that's a topic for another day. I'm optimistic.

Thanksgiving was pretty freaking fabulous. My brother and family came down from Michigan last Saturday to spend the week with us. I had 3 adults, 5 kids and 2 dogs in my house this past week. The humans got along just fine. The dogs were a little slower to accept each other but after a few minor scuffles stopped acting a fool and ended up kind of, sort of, maybe liking each other. That was as stressful as having 2 kids that hate each other under the same roof. But any time my family wants to come visit  I say bring me you and whatever comes with. We did some pretty fun stuff this year. We took a trip to the GA Racing Hall of Fame to see where NASCAR got it's start in Dawsonville, GA. Being from Detroit my family has a bit of a love for anything automotive. Who knew stock car racing got its start running moonshine in GA? My son and nephews especially were in hog heaven. But it was cool and we (Me) got some genuine apple pie moonshine as a souvenir. 

We also took a trip to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta which is definitely one of the best interactive museum experiences I have ever had. My 11 year old gal was less than excited to be visiting a football "museum" and ended up having the best time. She sat at the ESPN Game Day desk and read from the prompter, ran for a touchdown pass and attempted a field goal kick. That girl has no fear and no inhibitions... and she likes football. I raised her right. Seriously, if you ever come to Atlanta it is a stop worth making. Aside from learning a lot about the history of the game of college football the whole experience is customized for you  based on the info you enter that is transmitted to the badge you wear around your neck. Every exhibit you come upon welcomes you by name and offers up specific info about your school or team of choice. A++


As for the rest we spent it hanging at home, hitting the park, eating delicious food all over Atlanta, watching football,  cooking together and just basically loving each other up for 5 whole days. My eldest nephew made a special request for me to teach him how to make my Grandma's ( his great grandma's) famous real pumpkin pie. He said "Aunt Amy I think I should know how to make this since it's a family tradition". And then my heart almost overflowed. I hadn't planned on making anything this year but found myself knee deep in pie making with my 15 and 13 year old nephews and happily so. My kids have seen me make these pies every year of their life so they don't think much of it but I am quite sure my Polish Grandma was dancing in heaven watching us all in the kitchen. Making memories.



And then just like that the week was over and everyone was gone. My brother left Friday morning to head back to Michigan, kids went to Dad's, and Olivia headed back to college on Saturday. I get the sads when it's over even though I love a little bit of time with no one else around. It's hard when your house goes from chaos to eerily quiet in a night. Not complaining though. I feel so blessed to have had this time together. I am so very lucky.

In other news... I have other news, for another post provided I can get my crap together and write. I am really struggling lately with what exactly to write about. But, I am not giving up dammit. Trying to get my groove back so please bear with me. 


Much love to all of you...

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Monday, November 27, 2017

light, winter, and tree image

What a fabulous holiday, I hope you had one too. I haven't been here much lately so I thought I would sit down and try to catch up on some things. I have been feeling blog challenged for quite some time now but I am not quite ready to throw in the towel permanently. Afterall, it's almost Whole30 time and that is worth quite a few really good blog posts, but that's a topic for another day. I'm optimistic.

Thanksgiving was pretty freaking fabulous. My brother and family came down from Michigan last Saturday to spend the week with us. I had 3 adults, 5 kids and 2 dogs in my house this past week. The humans got along just fine. The dogs were a little slower to accept each other but after a few minor scuffles stopped acting a fool and ended up kind of, sort of, maybe liking each other. That was as stressful as having 2 kids that hate each other under the same roof. But any time my family wants to come visit  I say bring me you and whatever comes with. We did some pretty fun stuff this year. We took a trip to the GA Racing Hall of Fame to see where NASCAR got it's start in Dawsonville, GA. Being from Detroit my family has a bit of a love for anything automotive. Who knew stock car racing got its start running moonshine in GA? My son and nephews especially were in hog heaven. But it was cool and we (Me) got some genuine apple pie moonshine as a souvenir. 

We also took a trip to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta which is definitely one of the best interactive museum experiences I have ever had. My 11 year old gal was less than excited to be visiting a football "museum" and ended up having the best time. She sat at the ESPN Game Day desk and read from the prompter, ran for a touchdown pass and attempted a field goal kick. That girl has no fear and no inhibitions... and she likes football. I raised her right. Seriously, if you ever come to Atlanta it is a stop worth making. Aside from learning a lot about the history of the game of college football the whole experience is customized for you  based on the info you enter that is transmitted to the badge you wear around your neck. Every exhibit you come upon welcomes you by name and offers up specific info about your school or team of choice. A++


As for the rest we spent it hanging at home, hitting the park, eating delicious food all over Atlanta, watching football,  cooking together and just basically loving each other up for 5 whole days. My eldest nephew made a special request for me to teach him how to make my Grandma's ( his great grandma's) famous real pumpkin pie. He said "Aunt Amy I think I should know how to make this since it's a family tradition". And then my heart almost overflowed. I hadn't planned on making anything this year but found myself knee deep in pie making with my 15 and 13 year old nephews and happily so. My kids have seen me make these pies every year of their life so they don't think much of it but I am quite sure my Polish Grandma was dancing in heaven watching us all in the kitchen. Making memories.



And then just like that the week was over and everyone was gone. My brother left Friday morning to head back to Michigan, kids went to Dad's, and Olivia headed back to college on Saturday. I get the sads when it's over even though I love a little bit of time with no one else around. It's hard when your house goes from chaos to eerily quiet in a night. Not complaining though. I feel so blessed to have had this time together. I am so very lucky.

In other news... I have other news, for another post provided I can get my crap together and write. I am really struggling lately with what exactly to write about. But, I am not giving up dammit. Trying to get my groove back so please bear with me. 


Much love to all of you...
25+ free fall printables » Lolly Jane

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays with your families and friends . 


HAPPY THANKSGIVING


Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 23, 2017

25+ free fall printables » Lolly Jane

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays with your families and friends . 


HAPPY THANKSGIVING




REALIZING - How fast this year has gone by. It's time to start planning for holiday dinners, Christmas shopping, using up vacation days, preparing for out of town guests... where does the time go?

STIRRING - Well I am not exactly stirring it but someone is... my new favorite thing at Starbucks the Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte. The perfect combo of my 2 favorites.

APPRECIATING - The fact that there have been no major curve balls thrown my way lately. Knock on wood. I think the reality is that I am doing a much better job these days of not freaking out when they come. Things are just plugging along and getting handled.

INVESTIGATING - Where to go in Atlanta for Thanksgiving dinner. My brother and family is coming into town and I am toying with the idea of just going out so as to maximize our time together by not chaining myself to the kitchen for massive shopping, prep and cooking. Anyone else do a restaurant for Turkey day? And why does this make me feel slightly guilty?

FOLLOWING - @resting.bitchface on IG. This account cracks me up if you don't mind slightly offensive humor about having a shit show for a life. If so you will also like @circleofidiots.


Linking up with Anne and Julie for the November edition of currently!



Currently: November

Wednesday, November 1, 2017



REALIZING - How fast this year has gone by. It's time to start planning for holiday dinners, Christmas shopping, using up vacation days, preparing for out of town guests... where does the time go?

STIRRING - Well I am not exactly stirring it but someone is... my new favorite thing at Starbucks the Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte. The perfect combo of my 2 favorites.

APPRECIATING - The fact that there have been no major curve balls thrown my way lately. Knock on wood. I think the reality is that I am doing a much better job these days of not freaking out when they come. Things are just plugging along and getting handled.

INVESTIGATING - Where to go in Atlanta for Thanksgiving dinner. My brother and family is coming into town and I am toying with the idea of just going out so as to maximize our time together by not chaining myself to the kitchen for massive shopping, prep and cooking. Anyone else do a restaurant for Turkey day? And why does this make me feel slightly guilty?

FOLLOWING - @resting.bitchface on IG. This account cracks me up if you don't mind slightly offensive humor about having a shit show for a life. If so you will also like @circleofidiots.


Linking up with Anne and Julie for the November edition of currently!



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