Announcing My Mega Project and Day One
So it’s day one of the 21 day self discipline project, and I’m going strong! And technically I’m one day ahead – how’s that for a good start? (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click on the button below to find out all about it and join in.)
This first day’s reading is so convicting. My lack of discipline can only be blamed on me – ouch, but true! However, I love how the book points out the flip side of this as well:
I am the problem, but I am also the solution.
Now that I’ve taken full responsibility for my actions, I’m now ready to focus on the solution.
Our first job today is to complete some nagging task, and, boy, did I have a nagging task that I needed to complete! Sometimes I astound myself at how long I can manage to put off the simplest of tasks when I really don’t want to do them.
For the past few weeks I’ve had a reminder in my phone to cancel my Delta airlines credit card before an $89 annual fee is incurred. I got the card last year when I was doing a lot of flying on Delta. The first year’s annual fee was waived, and with it I saved the $25 checked baggage fees 4 times (not to mention tons of bonus miles). I wisely set myself a reminder to cancel the card a month before the next year’s fee would be incurred. However, cancelling a card requires calling the company, and I really hate talking on the phone! Therefore, I kept resetting the reminder on my phone for a couple days later (which is a bit of pain in and of itself). I only have a few days left until the fee would be incurred! So I sat myself down tonight and just went ahead and called and cancelled it. It took all of about five minutes, if that!
Our second job today is to choose our “mega-project” to work out over the next 20 days, and I chose mine. This was actually pretty hard, because I just have so, so many things I need to work on. I was tempted to pick five, but I knew I’d just be setting myself up for failure.
One of the things that frustrates me most about my lack of discipline is actually not so much the fact that I don’t always carry through on the things I don’t enjoy. Obviously, I need to do those things (like avoid too much junk food, exercise, eat my veggies, do my chores, etc.), but I can understand why I don’t.
The thing that just kills me inside is how very often I don’t follow through on the things that I love to do – the things that I enjoy and fill me with energy! I’ve gone weeks without posting on the blog, weeks without trying a new recipe (healthy or otherwise), weeks without putting energy into my hobbies, and so on. I think it’s just usually easier to do nothing than to do something I love. It’s time to change that! So, to that end, here’s my mega project:
I’m going to open and stock an Etsy shop (or something similar) with all sorts of printables that I create! I love creating pretty printables and do it for myself often (menu plans, to do lists, planners, labels, etc), and I’ve always wanted to open a shop. Of course I always have a list of excuses not to do it, but I’m not listening those excuses any longer.
Don’t worry, I’m going to give you all any printables I create for this challenge for free, since I know you’ll be here with me cheering me along!
What nagging task did you tackle? Was it as bad as you thought it would be? If you haven’t told us already, what mega project are you going to tackle?
Crystal @ Serving Joyfully Says
Great project, Laura! And, that is exactly the kind of thing that I would put off forever. Yay for actually doing it today 🙂
Can’t wait to see your printables! I need to go through the book about 5 times w/ 5 different projects! lol
Tami Says
I so agree to the 5 times w/5 different projects!
LauraJane Says
Post authorI know – maybe even 10 times!
Jenny Says
Laura,
That sounds like a fantastic undertaking. That is so brave of you to open an etsy shop. I hope the work you put into it pays dividends for years to come! I also look forward to enjoying the printables you create for your shop this month 🙂
Jenny
LauraJane Says
Post authorThanks, Jenny. I’m excited to start making the printables. Let me know if there’s any specific printables you’ve been looking for. I’m open to suggestions.
Tami Says
Hi! I’m new to your site, but wanted to do the 21 day challenge with some accountability and encouragement, so I followed MSM’s link over here! Today, I cleaned out a horrible kitchen cabinet that has been bothering me for months! The best part was finding a stash of candy from my husband’s birthday! My mega-project will be some sort of decluttering and organizing of my house…I haven’t made the plan yet…still more hours in the day for that!
LauraJane Says
Post authorHi, Tami, so glad you’re joining us. It is going to be a lot more fun to tackle this with so many others. Great job on the horrible kitchen cabinet. Doesn’t it feel great every time you open that cabinet? Did you see that MSM posted on her facebook page that she’s going to host a simplified version of her 4 weeks to an organized home series starting on Monday. You could follow along with that.
Diana Says
Great mega project! Mine is to finish my scrapbooking that I’ve started 🙂
You are so right that the most frustrating things are when we don’t do things we love to do. There are no excuses then 🙂
I actually started through this book when it first came out, but I’m taking weekends off from the Mega Project, so I’m only on Day 7, I think. It’s going really well so far! My habits are to unload the dishwasher in the morning (better get on that…!) and drink water in the morning (not just afternoon and evening). Excited to follow along with you guys!
LauraJane Says
Post authorDiana, I actually considered getting working on a scrapbook as my mega-project. It’s sad that my pictures sit on my computer. So glad that you’ve already made some progress. Keep us posted!
Keri Says
I am so excited to follow your progress and see your new shop! Thank you for the inspiration, I’m in…. now to get to planning 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorI’m excited to see my new shop as well – LOL! It something I’ve been wanting to do for a while so I’m glad to finally make it happen. So glad you’re in. Keep us posted on how it’s going.
Sara R Says
Hi, I’m in! I’ve finished my nagging project for today – responding to an email that has been in my inbox for 6.5 years. I kid not. I’m working on the Mega Project now. I want to declutter our toys and organize the basement where everything is just sitting right now. I might start listing some things to sell today to get the ball rolling.
LauraJane Says
Post authorSo glad you’re joining us, Sara R! Doesn’t it feel so good to have that little nagging task done? I definitely have some old e-mails in my inbox. Your mega project sounds great as well, and I love the idea of selling things.
LuAnn Braley Says
My itty bitty project is cleaning/organizing my craft/computer table. It’s in-process because my daughter is on the laptop watching LPS videos on YouTube. My mega-project is to cut down/out my smoking. Looking forward to sharing with and learning from the other participants!
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat job getting starting on the craft/computer table. I find that I work so much better when my work area is clean and tidy. Wow, you are tackling a huge mega-project! We will definitely be cheering you on. So glad you’re joining us.
Stephanie Says
I really love this idea of disciplining yourself to do the things you LOVE!! Isn’t it funny how we do that to ourselves, but it is so important to add those things that refresh, and inspire and rejuvenate you into your life!
I completed day 1 of the challenge and shared it on my blog. I ‘m really excited about how it went 🙂 Hope you don’t mind if I link my post up that I wrote about it!
http://walkingthroughthevalley.com/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life-day-1-update/
LauraJane Says
Post authorGreat job on completing the first day! So glad to have you join us.