2006 Tip #3:
March Forward

A new month.  Storms followed by sunshine.  And today is about 2 minutes longer than yesterday –the light, sunny part of the day.  What will we do with this extra time?

Our last idea we shared had to do with the question:  How to improve ourselves? 

After reflecting on what we’d like to do more of and less of, did we write down some goals around these aspirations?  If we’ve set out for ourselves a big goal and big challenge, have we defined incremental steps—mini-goals—to get there?

Experts say we can alter negative habits and build on and build up positive habits if we focus and concentrate for 30-45 days on what we want to change.

Coincidently, today is the first day of “Lent” in the Christian calendar.  Many faiths and cultures have ways to prepare for Spring.  Lent comes from  two ancient words –“langatin” and  “tina”  --meaning “long” and “day.”  The days are getting longer, what will we do with the extra light?

Lent has traditionally marked 40 days of sacrifice and fasting and preparation for the big events of Spring.  My daughter Tamara, the runner, called last night to say she was giving up all sweets for Lent.  She talked a couple of her teammates into the same goal.  She called from the local donut shop near the Santa Cruz campus at about 9 pm---they were having their last donuts –and relishing them--before the 40 day stretch to the end of Lent!

Is it about dessert or the desert?  40 days to see more clearly.

It can be about giving up some “thing” or some habit.  But I like even more defining for myself, what am I aiming for?  What NEW do I want TO DO?!  What new commitments will I make to myself to provide the focus needed for the changes I want to see—in my personal life and in my work?

It’s a new month.  Let’s March forward with our goals in mind!