September 2015..Day 3 (This House of Mine) Painting Challenge

This House of Mine

Day 3 of  Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge . Someone asked me recently how I name my paintings or sculptures. For me, it's not a matter of selecting a title, more like sitting and waiting until the work reveals it to me. I listen to music as I paint, sometimes the same song on repeat, for hours.  It gets me into a space where all thought stops and the work just unfolds. Check out Leslie's blog and have a look at the work of the other artists participating (over 1000 artists).

On Creating New Habits in the month of September

So far, we've looked at ways of making new habits doable; posting the short list of the desired habits; breaking it down into doable chunks; taking micro steps; and making a visual reminder of your progress.

Today, the focus is on WHEN do I do my new habit?

It comes down to considering your own style and finding a time to maximize the possibility of success by looking at your natural body rhythms.

I'd describe myself as an Early Bird. I get up at 5 am and mornings are when I am at my best in regards to energy levels, the ability to focus, the amount of clarity I have, and the momentum to get things done. I have discovered the need to take advantage of this as I practically shut off by 1 pm.

Not surprising. As a first grader, I brought a rug to school (it was on the list of required school supplies) and took daily naps after lunch. I loved that as those daily naps were a continuation of what I did at home. I slept so soundly each day at school, the teacher had difficulty waking me, getting my little body off that rug and back to work. I was definitely not functioning at optimal levels in the afternoons.

Other people pick up momentum as the day progresses and feel at their most energetic in the afternoons or evenings.Pick your best time to boost the chances of the habit sticking.

How to Optimize the Integration of your new habit

• Choose a time you feel is optimal for energy levels and inspiration

• Attach your new habit to an existing one. This keeps the momentum going and avoids the trap of thinking you need a big chunk of time outside your routines to add the new thing. (Do the 5 minutes of yoga after morning tea, take that short walk after dinner, set aside the 10 minutes to read after finishing the dishes).

• Keep it short in the beginning and slowly increase the time you do it over the course of the month.

• Mark it down that you completed it. Remember to look at your face in the mirror at the end of the day and tell yourself you added that new habit.