Three Things — The Art of the Ritual

Three Things, my Wednesday post series, inspired by my love for bite-sized, tiny but mighty pieces of information.

One. This —

I’m in the middle of a big ole writing project. Last week I spoke about creating rituals to overcome our resistance which surfaces when we’re working creatively or toward a big goal.

I spent time over the holiday weekend concocting my own set of rituals. This one I specifically love: I need to have my butt in my seat writing. That’s it. To help accomplish this I spent a ridiculous amount of money on a candle I love dearly. Here’s the catch: no writing, no burning of the candle. It’s the little things.

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Two. “Make Yourself Accountable” —

I’m very motivated by accountability. I always have been and sometimes it’s been to my detriment. Like the time I pursued a Masters Degree in a field I kinda liked, just because I told people I would. Didn’t love it. Just liked it.

Jeeez, Robyn. We all have these stories, don’t we? It helps us to become more aware of who we are. A necessary journey in most cases.

Now that I know myself well, I give myself an accountability person to keep me, well, accountable! I have a schedule and if I don’t meet it, I have to make a call and know I’ve let myself down. And them. I’ve let us both down. It’s the combination of the double let down that’s the key for me.

What about you? What do you need to accomplish your goals?

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Three. Storms. —

“I’m not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship.”

— Louisa May Alcott

The storms, especially that big ole one, made me who I am today. I got wet and beat up a bit. I even got knocked down again. My face was down in the mud, and it was between my teeth. Gritty and foul tasting.

While down there marinating in the muck, I was planning on how I was going to get back up. I waited a bit, built up my strength. I managed to get one foot underneath me. Then I took my hand, and used it to brace myself on my knee and pushed off until I was upright again.

Thanks to those storms I’ve learned how to surf. The waves come toward me and I keep myself loose and calm. They wash over me, but don’t take me down. It’s my ability to accept anything coming my way that keeps me upright.