Do you leave notes to yourself?
On your fridge. On your desk. On your phone, even?
I do.
It just sort of happened. All of a sudden, my apartment and office – and iPhone – are littered with love notes.
Or, more accurately, “remember what’s important” notes.
This one…
…posted just above my NeuYear planning calendar and business strategy map – reminds me to stay focused on YOU and how I can help you through my writing, speaking and programs.
This one…
…reminds me to keep things simple when I get all up in my head, worrying about how on earth I’ll GET. THAT. THING. DONE!! (Thanks for asking the question, Erika Lyremark.)
And this one…
…reminds me to think big. Every day. (Thanks for thinking the thought, Danielle LaPorte.)
Then there’s this one.
It lives on my kitchen table AND in my iPhone reminders, because it gets to the heart of it all: How do I want to feel every day?
Check out Danielle LaPorte’s Desire Map to uncover your own “Core Desired Feelings.” It’s the best tool I’ve found for getting clear about what you want out of life… and how to get it. (That’s an affiliate link, by the way. The FTC wants me to tell you, because I might get a referral fee if you buy Danielle’s book from my recommendation. I think you know by now that I don’t recommend stuff I don’t adore.)
It turns out that these kinds of love notes reminders shift our thinking, even change our habits.
According to this study review from researchers in the UK, US, and Netherlands, “deploying self-affirmation inductions alongside persuasive health information has positive effects, promoting message acceptance, intentions to change, and subsequent behavior.”
That’s scientist speak for “It works!”.
Reminders grab our attention just long enough to force more mindful choices. And mindfulness is half the battle in changing habitual behavior or thinking.
As Gretchen Rubin – author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before – says about changing habits, “We manage what we monitor.”
My clients use notes for everything from staying focused on what’s going well – “You worked out four times this week. You rock!”
To boosting confidence that they can reach their goals – “You’ve indulged on vacation AND gotten right back on track with healthy eating before. You can do it again.”
To cultivating a better relationship with their bossy pants, know-it-all boss – “Do you want to be right? Or do you want to be EFFECTIVE?”. (A reminder for my client when communicating with her boss, not the other way around. That wouldn’t be so effective. 😉
Our minds are malleable. Small nudges make a big difference in how we see things –– and how we react to them.
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Take a minute now to jot down something you’re struggling with, trying to change, or just something you’d like to bring more of into your life.
What question, statement or words might help you snap out of default – and self-defeating – thought patterns?
Where can you put your note?
On your computer? In your wallet? On your bathroom mirror? In your phone or calendar reminders? (Phone reminders work great when you’re surgically connected to your phone, as I am most days.)
Leave a comment and tell us what you’re working on and what your “love notes” say. Or post a picture of them on my Facebook page. I’d love to see what’s working for you!
xo,
