Sure signs of Spring
There are a lot of people who really enjoy the winter. However, having never been involved in any real winter sports, I am not one of them. But when spring finally rolls around, all of our thoughts turn to sunnier days, warmer weather, and getting motivated to cross tasks off our lists of things to do. As we look around, we see our neighbors power-washing the driveway and cleaning up the outsides of their homes.
Even some of your friends seem to be infused with renewed energy as the weather turns. I have a few who have already cleaned out their garages, storage spaces and closets, and it’s not even warm yet!
A few of us, on the other hand, have a bunch of tasks weighing on our minds. We are tired of thinking about them. But which one should we attack first? And how are we going to find the energy that seems called for this season?
Of course, I have a few suggestions that may help you painlessly gear up for action:
1. Finding peace in gardening. If you like to garden, it’s time to explore the changes that fall and winter brought to your planting spaces. If you’re new to gardening, you can look forward to a feeling of tranquility when you’re raking, planting and weeding.
Start slowly. Start by working in the yard for 30 minutes a day. Gardening is good for your soul and will often lead to a peace that will spill over into other areas of your life.
2. Deepen family connections. Make a conscious effort to complete projects with other members of your family instead of alone. Make time to (actually) listen to what your kids and partner want to do now that the weather is improving. Focus your emotional energy on your family. Spending time with your partner on a project you both want accomplished, is a great way to deepen your connection. You’ll also gain some momentum to do other tasks.
Spring is also a great time to accomplish something with your kids. You’ll enjoy having the opportunity to spend some quality time with them as you teach them the value of working together on a project. And, you will get to know and understand each other a little better. We, as parents and parental models, are their best role models. Honor that responsibility!
3. Recruit help. Ask for a psychological or physical “push” from a family member or close friend. Perhaps you have a sister who enjoys interior painting or a friend is a whiz at organizing drawers and cabinets.
Asking for help is an important exercise in humility and helps builds character. There’s no shame in our game by acknowledging that we feel challenged to get motivated or that we can’t do something as well as someone else. Those you care about would love to help. Embrace the support and love you get from them.
4. Help yourself. Plan each week to complete just one task on your list, no matter how small it is. This will help you continue to build a little more momentum each week to achieve another goal. Give yourself permission and enough emotional space to go slowly. You’ll feel like a super star as you keep a steady pace by finishing one task every week.
5. Celebrate wins and reward progress. As you complete those tasks that have been simmering in the back of your mind, remember to reward yourself for your accomplishments.
If your sister helped you paint the kitchen, invite her family over next weekend for a family dinner. Spending some quality family time together is a special way to thank your while you enjoy the fruits of your labor. When you and your kids spend a day cleaning up the yard or sprucing up the garage, suggest you enjoy a special night out the following weekend.
You will be continuously motivated to complete more of those spring tasks when you take the time to recognize and reward yourself for what you have accomplished.
One size does not fit all. But…
It is a fact of life that some of us will get more charged up about spring’s arrival than others. Remind yourself that it’s okay to move forward at your own pace. Whether you go after your goals a little bit at a time or all at once, your sense of accomplishment will always be there waiting for you when you spring into action.
Thoughts?
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmiers2/6803496340/sizes/z/in/photostream/