I like goals. I like habits. I like routines and systems and brainstorming ways to become more productive, more efficient, and more well-rounded.
But I just finished reading the book Atomic Habits, and I’ve realized that those things aren’t actually what I want. What I want is to become the sort of person who does certain sorts of things. It’s not about the things themselves. It’s about identity. This mindset shift is critical, because it has released me from the confines of numerical goals. The issue with numbers is that...they’re inflexible. And I live in a world where flexibility is essential to my sanity and the well-being of my family members. I’m a mom. Days don’t always go according to plan or schedule. Trying to accomplish goals with numbers attached leaves me stressed and with little patience for the “interruptions” that my children become. So I’m changing my tactics. Instead of practicing piano for 20 minutes a day, I’m simply going to become the kind of person who sits down at the piano bench and plays every day. Whether it’s one minute, or two songs, or ten minutes with a child on my lap playing along, or five minutes uninterrupted--it doesn’t matter. The number of minutes and the type of practice have become irrelevant. I can become the kind of person who plays piano each day under any one of these scenarios. Instead of exercising for 30 minutes, 3 days a week, I’m simply going to become the sort of person who doesn’t miss a workout on workout days. If I run the stairs a few times, it’s a win. If I push my kids in the stroller for a power-walk up the hill, it’s a win. And, on the days I can manage an uninterrupted 30 minutes, that’ll be a win as well. Again, the length of the workout matters not. What matters is the kind of person I’m becoming, and every minute of exercise on a workout day makes me into her. I want to start journalling again. So I'm writing one sentence a night. Just one sentence. That's all I'm allowed. It's not about the journalling, really. It's about becoming the kind of woman who keeps a paper trail of the moments of her life...so that she doesn't forget. Habits, routines, systems, and schedules are great. But identity is better and far more permanent. Instead of being productive as an end in itself, I want every moment of productivity to mold me into a certain sort of person. The work of life is far more rewarding, when I think of it this way.
6 Comments
Dawn Richerson
2/11/2021 08:04:32 am
I LOVE THIS. And I'm going to get myself a journal and write one sentence every night. See you this afternoon! <3 Mama
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Callan Conkle
2/11/2021 11:38:36 am
I absolutely love this mindset shift! I know how big of a shift this must be for someone who loves lists and numbers, etc... I am going to keep this post in mind for my next goal setting session! Thanks for sharing friend!! :)
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