THURSDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2023 - NO EXCUSES

 THURSDAY, JUNE 1ST, 2023 - FIRST DAY OF JUNE - NO EXCUSES

“June is bustin’ out all over, all over the meadows and hills” (Carousel, Rodgers and Hammerstein, 1963)

Happy Birthday to my amazing, loving, fantastic sister!!!  I love you!!!

*****

Yesterday I did a self-assessment for May - what I had done and what I didn’t get done.  Today, a look at “no excuses”.  

I can rationalize almost anything.  

I didn’t get the kitchen cleaned because (ahh - I’m thinking of a good excuse) - because I knew I was going to mess it up more when I made coleslaw again - and I would have to clean twice. 

I was late to <whatever> because there was too much traffic.  (Hmmm. there is getting to be a lot of traffic in the area - the news report was that Georgetown Texas is the fastest-growing town in the United States - so maybe I could just learn to start earlier.  

I didn’t get enough exercise yesterday, because I was too busy.  (I think I could have worked in a mile or two walk).  

I didn’t clean my car because it was going to rain and that would wash the dirt off.  (And, it didn’t rain or didn’t rain enough to get my car really clean).

I didn’t lose weight because I needed to clear all the old stuff out of the refrigerator before I started on a diet (I hate to waste food).  (So Karen, did you really buy more ice cream at the grocery store knowing you needed to lose weight?)

Yup - I can rationalize (my term for making excuses) things away.

*****

So, I’m looking for ways to avoid “rationalizing” (or making excuses)

Take responsibility. The first step to stop making excuses is always to realize that you alone control your destiny. …

I can control a lot in my life.  Like I suggested above, I could start earlier when I’m going someplace.  I too can control my eating - maybe I need to put a lock on the refrigerator

***

Shift your perspective. …

One college president I worked for (and loved) said “We don’t have problems here, we have OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL”. My kitchen is an opportunity to grab the bull by the horns and show the world (or show myself) that I can handle my chores!!

***

Uncover your limiting beliefs. …

I can’t do that - because of XYZ.  My most limited belief is “I can’t do that, I’m 75 years old”.  I’m not sure how 75 keeps me from losing weight or cleaning my kitchen

My second limiting belief is “I have to get my blog done”.  I know if I stopped writing right now, in 20 minutes I could get the kitchen clean!!!

****

Change your story. …

I LOVE TO CLEAN THE KITCHEN, I LOVE TO VACUUM,I LOVE TO LEAVE EARLY SO I’M ON TIME!!!

***

Find the lesson. …

I’m having a problem at work.  My boss is scheduling me so I can’t finish with one particular client.  I’ve sent emails.

OUCH - I need to call.  (That’s another limiting belief - I don’t like to use the telephone!!!)

***

Stop overthinking. …

Yup - just do it!!

****

Define your vision and set goals

What is defining me?  That I am late?  That I can’t keep my 582 square foot house clean?

WOW - I need to redefine myself - I AM ALWAYS ON TIME, I LOVE TO CLEAN!!

*****

I need to do some “housekeeping” in my brain.  I am priding myself on being “frugal”.  But I learned a lesson recently.  Before my trip to Big Bend, I bought a bag of ice from the convenience store near me.  I filled up my ice chest for the trip and then had about ⅓ of a bag of ice left over.  It’s been great.  When I want ice for my iced tea, I have plenty.  It used to be that I had to fill the ice cube trays - and then I forgot and didn’t fill them, and then I didn’t have ice.  For a dollar, I might have enough ice to last me through the summer with cold iced tea!!!  And, do not have to bother with filling ice cube trays, dripping water on the floor, and being prepared!!!  WOOO!!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, JUNE 1, 2023