Back in January of 2009, I limited myself to one New Year's resolution. And I kept it small enough so I could be successful, with minimal effort.
Because that's how I roll. You know how I feel about the word, "minimum."
To my surprise, my small, minimal-effort resolution had powerful and lasting results. Want to know what it was?
Okay, drumroll please:
I resolved to do one "extra" thing each day.
Ba-da-boom.
That's it.
See, I'm not one of those people who springs out of bed, chomping at the bit to get things done. I wasn't blessed with boundless energy to cross things off my list. I tend to take items on today's list and move them to the "I'll do this tomorrow" list.......and well, you know how THAT goes.
But here's the thing: By taking on a "one extra thing" attitude, I gave myself permission to not have to get EVERYTHING done......but just one more thing than I thought I could do.
It's so simple, it's easy to miss the beauty of it.
It's so simple, it's easy to miss the beauty of it.
Here is what this concept might look like:
Putting away a dish, rather than leaving it to dry in the rack.Hanging my purse on a hook instead of chucking it on the floor when I walk through the door.It could be putting my clothes in the closet instead of leaving them in a pile on the bed.It could be eating something healthy.I might decide to put away the basket of clean clothes, rather leaving them for "tomorrow."It might be reading a verse or two before I turn out the light.
I'm amazed at how doing "one extra thing" can make me feel on top of the world. It's like a wonder drug, I tell you!
When I think about it, doing one extra thing each day was the whole idea behind the Small Things tasks I used to post every day for six years, here on this blog. EVERY DAY! FOR SIX YEARS! SMALL THINGS! I guess I've come to realize that life is mostly made up of lots and lots of small things. If you're like me, you simply become weary of doing them. If I have to pick up socks from the floor one more time.....ugh.
So. many. things.
But usually? They aren't hard things. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start.
So...start with doing one "extra" task you didn't plan to do. That's all.
The point is really about creating the kind of attitude we want to have: this challenges us to take one teeny tiny step each day...it kicks mediocrity in the butt, and gives us confidence to set bigger goals.
Yes!
So hey! Just for Olde Times Sake, let's do a Small Thing today. Today's Small Thing is to try on a new mindset by doing ONE EXTRA THING.
Let's make this fun: Tell me what your "extra thing" was (after you did it) in the comments. One lucky commenter will receive this canvas print. It is gallery wrapped and ready to hang - 14 x 14 inches, a perfect reminder for your days.
