Goals and Staying Motivated, Not a Contradiction

It is possible to set goals, work at them, and stay motivated. And even create art in the process.
The maps over at Map Your Progress* are great tools for keeping the finish line in sight.

I learned about them in the summer. I blogged about them here and, yes, I was a little excited over the prospect of creating something pretty while working on my goals. And for good reason. I love having something to show for my effort. I've been using this map for my exercise goals. I knew if I could work out at least five days a week for several months, it could become a habit and I might see some results. This map has sixty swirls, I've colored in one swirl for every workout. In an effort to keep it simple, I decided not to use different colors for different workouts. I wanted the first few months to be about rewarding myself for every effort. So in the mix are short and long cardio workouts, light weight-lifting sessions, as well as 30 minute yoga and 60 minute yoga practices. This print is in a frame without the glass, sits on my nightstand and the markers are nearby. Every day I can see, SEE, the progress. Theoretically if I exercise well enough I will begin to see results reflected in my own body, but (this is no news flash) results from old fashioned exercise (and eating right) are slow to show--so this swirl of color reminds me I'm creating a healthier (and fitter-looking) body. It's helped me visualize some of the less tangible, but no less beneficial, results of exercise--like elevated mood, better sleep, lower blood pressure, better regulated blood sugar, etc.
Another added benefit to the map is that is there as a reminder of all the work I've put in, so on a day when I'm sick or miss the gym, I don't feel like all is lost.

"Small efforts over time can produce significant results." ~D. Durrant

I'm looking forward to trying out the other designs for some of my other goals (like writing a certain sequel to a certain Christmas novel.) I'll let you know how that goes, too!


*I have no connection to Map Your Progress, other than as a satisfied customer. I receive no compensation for this blog post. I love sharing creative things, or things that help creativity, or creative things that help the other areas of life!

When Accomplishing Goals Gets Creative

Ever heard of Map Your Progress?

Neither had I until last weekend when I came across this post.

I read all about Amy's journey to pay off debt and mark her progress as she did so.

Resulting in a work of art. Like this.

These were the first or early prints she made, comprised of individual swirls that she would color in as she went. Each swirl representing a portion of the debt she was paying. Genius. Genius I tell you.

At least for a brain like mine, how cool it is to have something tangible to show for my effort. And not just tangible but potentially pretty. Attractive, eye-catching. A creative work of art. Both a motivation for--and a reward of--accomplishing a goal!

Her site is great has prints (or canvases) with swirls as few as 20 and as many as 365 (for you do-something-every-day-folks.) Do you know what this means? For me, it means I have some tangible motivation on the way for all my summer goals --fitness, writing, Portuguese learning --whatever I want to measure, and most likely accomplish, in a much more creative way.