Daily Victories

Life in our economy and present society can be stressful and overwhelming. Dreams, ambitions and goals can seem like monumental uphill battles. It's easy to become overwhelmed. It's easy to want to give up. Don't!
   
"Try Daily Victories!" I say like a salesperson in a 1950's television commercial.

But seriously, there's something to this. As a writer, I spend most of my days indoors, sitting in a chair. It's easy to get lost in work, and, as an outdoorsy person, I began to fear my own physical lethargy. I won't lie, as of a couple years ago, I began to put on some weight. So, for the past 6 months or so, I've been eating cleaner, and doing P90X (an intense, 3 month, 6 day per week, 90 minute workout commitment). Sounds like fun, huh? Yeah, it is. ;)

At first I dreaded and loathed those 90 minutes. I tried to find reasons to cancel a workout here and there. It's easy to say I'm too busy. A writers work is never finished so long as there are ideas in her head. The fiancé kept me on track in those earlier months. It just seemed like I'd never get into shape. For all my hard work, huffing and puffing, the results were not immediate. I began to feel overwhelmed by hard work and little reward.

It struck me after yoga one day: my 90 minute workout was actually a daily victory! When I looked at it that way, the strenuous exercises didn't feel quite so long. I had something to be proud of at the end of every single workout session. It's still a work in progress, but since beginning, I've lost 15 pounds. My work is paying off, and the process doesn't feel slow anymore.

The very same concept can be shared with other parts of your life. Look at your tasks as daily victories, let yourself feel good about achieving each one, and celebrate!

All yours,
~A.R. Ivanovich