Success Six

The end of the year is a time for reflection and planning as we look to the year ahead. For many, it is an opportunity to create new habits and let go of what no longer serves us. With this, we may start out excited for what the new year will bring, but then find ourselves slipping back into old habits. 

A tool that has worked for me in creating new habits is called the Success Six. Every evening, or morning depending on your timing, write down, in order, the 6 most important things you want to complete for the day. Number them 1 through 6. You can write this down on a note card or in the checklist app in your phone. It helps to be able to check off or cross out the item once you have completed it. Move through the list in order so that you don't move on to #2 until #1 is done, and so on. Challenge yourself to not end your day until all 6 are crossed out. This is your personal accountability list. Make it doable for you, but use it to stretch you to address where you have been procrastinating. Add to it the things you are wanting to bring into your life. No need to include items that are already routine. 

For example, if you are just getting started with a meditation or fitness routine, put it on the list. It will help keep you accountable to your commitment to yourself. If you already have a well established routine, don't put it on your list. Focus on creating new habits. Have you been putting off making that phone call, scheduling an appointment, writing in your journal, cleaning a closet, reading that book on your night stand? Then put it on the list. And if you have an ever growing To Do list, pull one or two of those items off the list and add it to your Success Six each day to help you feel a sense of accomplishment. This type of habit helps you change your narrative about yourself enhancing self-esteem and confidence.

Here is my list for today: 
1. Write out soup recipe from last night
2. Send email out re: gift cards
3 Review materials from recent course.
4. Create social media posts on IG and FB.
5. Complete application 
6. Make bagels and cream cheese for tomorrow