When I started this challenge I thought, “I’m going to be perfect at this! I’m setting myself up for success by having accountability every week. I’m going to get something finished every single day and it’s going to be perfect! We’ll have the house ready to sell before you know it and everything will look exactly how I want it to look!” I was so excited. I had high expectations of myself. But this week I didn’t stick to my ambition of a perfect score on my blog report card. I failed to complete something for three out of my seven days this week. More details on that in a moment because first, I need to share what I’ve learned this week.
My first thought (and second, third, fourth…) was to share excuses. I knew I had to report. I have so many reasons ready to list off. But you know what? I will not give excuses. Do you know why? Because excuses are what I turn to when I’m trying to blame something or someone else for me not finishing. When I blame someone else or make an excuse, in my defensiveness, the consequence is no longer in my hands. It’s not my responsibility. But in reality, I am the only one who chose to not finish those projects. No matter how much I want to blame my kids or Curt or the dishes or laundry or Facebook or fatigue, I don’t want to do it anymore. I won’t push my choice to procrastinate onto someone or something else because doing that results in me hiding from progression.
When I embrace the choices I make, especially when it’s a choice I’m not proud of or wish I could change, I give myself the opportunity to analyze that choice and then make a better choice next time. For example, one night I chose to watch a movie with Curt instead of finishing my project in the kitchen. Here’s what went on in my head after making my choice:
“It’s good that I’m choosing to watch this movie with Curt! He really needs some time with me tonight and I am so tired after my long day, I really deserve a movie night.” Then… “Hmmm…I didn’t finish caulking in the kitchen. But there’s always tomorrow! I can finish it later. No one really cares whether I finish something EVERY day, right? Besides, I’ve been working really hard and everything I’ve done so far is awesome! One extra day off won’t hurt anything!”
Okay, I’ve got to say that I know you might be thinking I’m being way too hard on myself and most of those things I said are true. It is good to spend time with my husband! I have been working really hard! I was really tired that evening! Tomorrow will come!
All of those things are true, and I am glad I spent time cuddling with Curt, but I could have had the best of both worlds if I had made a different choice. I could have asked him to help me caulk in the kitchen. It would have taken me 15-30 minutes to finish, I could have finished and then watched half of the movie with him. I could have worked on my project earlier in the day instead of browsing on social media or playing a game on my phone. Whatever choice I might have made, the point I’m trying to make is that choices aren’t always obviously right or wrong. In fact, sometimes neither choice is wrong or bad. Sometimes I have to choose between two really good things. In this case, it was (1) spend time watching a movie or (2) complete my commitment for the day. That day is done. That choice is made and the consequence is that I won’t get a 100% on my imaginary report card.
And I am so grateful!
Today is Thanksgiving (Happy Thanksgiving!!!), so I feel extra thankful for this lesson I’m learning as I sort through my thoughts as I write. I am so grateful that I chose to not finish things this week because what I have learned is going to set me up for success in the future. The next time I wait until the last hour before bed to start and finish a project, I will have already decided what my choice will be. My choice will be to finish because this goal and this commitment to complete one thing from my procrastination list five days a week is of extreme importance to me.
Most nights of the week, my previous normal would be to watch a movie, browse on Zillow, pin on Pinterest, or read a book. But I want my new normal to be working towards my goals and sticking to my commitments, regardless of how many excuses or rationalizations I can come up with. I’m going to own my choices and consequently I am going to get closer to my goal. Focus on my goal leads to success.
Day 22: 11/19/20
I wanted to finish painting the office door and I did make progress with painting, but I didn’t finish. I still need to scrape off the paint on the windowpanes and paint another coat on the office side of the door.
Day 23: 11/20/2020
I started caulking in the kitchen. I got started and probably finished 20 percent of the room’s gaps.
Day 24: 11/21/2020
Again I wanted to finish the office door, but I didn’t. Yet…
Day 25: 11/22/2020
Rest day. Today I organized my procrastination list on an app called Trello with Curt. It was extremely helpful because we were able to figure out who will be in charge of which projects.
Day 26: 11/23/2020
Organize benches on front porch. This project…wow! It feels soooo good to look inside of those benches and see the cleanliness! I had been hiding things in there for almost a year and now they’re all out of there! This project was very important because I had stored a lot of home reno supplies in there, along with some tools that I need for my projects.
Day 27: 11/24/2020
Curt and I switched out the outlet on the front porch. I really wanted a white outlet and cover to match the rest of the space. The old outlet worked fine, but the new one is prettier. I had to cut down the top part of the cover to get it to fit, but I did.
Day 28: 11/25/2020
I was supposed to report on here, but I did not.
