Recently I shared the keep score to achieve more sheet I’m using for keeping track of goals. I said I’d post updates during this month. Here’s my updated sheet. I changed the way I colored in the completed squares. Now, instead of random colors scattered about the chart (although that looked prettier), it now has one color for each item, so it may be easier for you to see when I failed and when I succeeded, and to determine the consistency with which I’m completing each task.
A few of the tasks have proven easier to do every day than I had expected. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing three times a day? I had never wanted to do those things quite that often. Insulin shots are the reason I’ve gained 32 pounds in the last month, but they’ll keep me alive for a while. The one that surprised me most was getting to bed by 10 PM. I’ve had a long-standing habit of “I have to finish just one more thing and then I’ll go to bed” but that “one thing” would either take longer than expected, or lead to several rabbit trails. I expected my score on that one to be very spotty, but I’ve nailed it. I wonder which of your items will surprise you.
Keeping track of goals, comparing before and after
There is an outline or box around the days I’ve filled in since my post about it, to make it easier for you to compare how I did before deciding to share it publicly, and how I’ve done since then. As you can see, on some items I’m holding steady, and on others I’ve become more consistent. Pressure can be a good thing, and so can charting. Keeping track of goals definitely helps many people. I know keeping track of goals helps me.
You might also notice that Friday the 16th has many empty squares. That day was full of things going wrong, including vehicle trouble and a totally messed-up schedule, so I’m pleased that I was able to complete as many of my dailies as I was. Even though it looks like I was lazy and didn’t do half of the items, that’s not the case. That day easily could have been completely blank, but I made an effort to do what I could do. Those filled-in squares are successes. When you have days like that, when everything kind of blows up, be gentle with yourself and recognize your successes.
How are you doing with your chart? If you’re not doing one, how do you accomplish the things you know you should do, but usually don’t do?