Another one down!!!

Today I realized that, inadvertently, I completed yet another goal off my list. For the past seven school days, I was able to get up right when my alarm went off!

Do you lay around in bed for 'another five minutes?' Do you set your alarm early so you don't have to get up right away? Do you even set an alarm at all? Well, that used to be me! Now, I've got it down to a science. Here's how to works.

I set my radio to turn at and play loudly at 5:55. I usually wake up and listen to this while laying in bed. I have two alarms set to go off a six (in case one loses time and starts to go off later.) Once both alarms have finished their minute long ring cycle, I get up.

Don't get me wrong, its still hard to get up. I wear my gym clothes to bed (that's my first period class) so I literally roll out of bed and go eat breakfast. That's good motivation for me personally.

Being able to do this has changed my morning routine. I'm more organized and don't have to rush around last minute. Also, I don't feel totally exhausted when the alarm goes off because I'm already awake.

You can read the full story on how I did it plus get tips and tricks to wake up with your alarm by looking here.

I'm still working on drinking water. I don't mind it, I just have trouble remembering to do it. I'll keep you posted!

Stay tuned!

Hydration Station

My plan to better hydrate myself is going well. Considering I HATE water, it's actually pretty easy. I read online that someone my age/weight/etc should drink almost 64 ounces a day of water. For me, spending almost 7 hours a day in school, that just isn't possible. I can't leave class that many times to go to the bathroom!

I've decided I'm going to try to drink 32 ounces a day which is about three of these plastic glasses I have at my house. (See picture) I'm working my way up to it and so far I drink 12 ounces a day.

I can't say I get real enjoyment out of drinking this glass of water but I don't hate it either. I just make myself drink it and it actually disappears quick. I read that the best times to drink water is right before you want to eat. Sometimes, you're actually thirsty but you just think you're hungry. I'm trying to ward off extra eating as I continue to drink more. To be honest, this has probably been my post challenging goal so far but it will also be the most rewarding!

Stay tuned!

Slow Progress

I'm having a lot of trouble with getting up with my alarm. I've decided that part of the problem is that I don't have anywhere to be, thus, no motivation to get up exactly at 7:30. Because of all this, I think I'm going to hold off on this goal and try something different until school starts and my schedule is more strict.

In the mean time, I'm going to pick out a new goal to start working on. I think I'm going to start working on drinking more water. We'll see how it goes!

I'm still writing down one thing a day that makes me happy. At the end of August, I'll post a few things that made me happy until August. I'm finding that most of the things that make me happy are really simple things. I guess that's how life works.

By the way, my article 'How to become more organized' on 43things.com is now the featured article on that page! I'm really excited. Click here to check it out!

I am now an organized woman

A second task is done! It took me five days but I have completely organized my bedroom. The change I've already noticed is amazing. Without all the extra crap, I enjoy spending time in there. I love going in and knowing exactly where something is right off the bat. It feels great to throw away two garbage bags full of junk out of my desk, dresser, and bookcase. I'm so glad I decided to take this goal on. I'm not too worried about staying organized because I know I'll be able to do it. Seeing me room clean and everything in order is the motivation I need to make the bed or put the papers where they need to go!

To organize the events going on in my life, I printed out a monthly calendar tablet off the internet. For each day I've written in the things I need to get done in black ink and the events I have happening in orange ink. Its really helpful!

You can read the full story on how I did it plus get tips and tricks to organize your own room by looking here.

Seeing as yet another goal is finished, its time to add one to the list and start another. I added the goal 'drive a convertible with the top down' to my list. This just sounds like a really fun experience, even if the car isn't mine.

As for starting a new goal, I've started two...sort of. On Thursday, I've started the ongoing goal of writing down one thing each day that makes me happy. Even though I've only done this for three days so far, I would highly recommend it. I find that recognizing what makes me happy makes me feel good about myself. Everyone should try it. The other goal I've started is 'wake up when my alarm goes off' Just in time for school, right? I'm going to try a few ideas to get myself out of bed and see what works best. Stay tuned!

First Thing Crossed Off!!!

I finished the first thing on my list yesterday and I'm really excited about it!

The task was to make a vision board. A vision board is typically a poster board on which you paste or collage images that you’ve torn out from various magazines. This is something I found while adding things to my list and I really liked the idea so I put it on. I had a piece of poster board kicking around the house from a project so I decided to start with this one.

I cut all sorts of little things out of magazines for two days, glued and walah! I was done. It was a simple project but I felt so empowered and creative once I was done. I even hung it up as decor in my bedroom. Finishing one thing has really given me a boost and made me want to keep on going! I added a new thing to keep my list at 25: Read 50 books in 2010!

You can read the full story on how I did it plus learn tips and tricks to make your own here.

What?! You're changing your life?!

Yup, that's right. I, Em, am on a 'self-improvement' spree. My plan is to change my life for the better and I've made of list of how I'm going to do it.

During my vacation this year, I read the book 'The Next Thing on My List' which is about a woman who sets out to finish a '20 Things to do before my 25th Birthday' list. It's a really good book which really inspired me to make a list of my own. One day, when 'google-ing' popular bucket list selections, I stumbled upon 43things.com. This site lets you make your own list of things you want to do in your life and keep track of your progress. I took this as a sign and joined up.

As I started to add things to my list, I realized I needed to set some rules for myself. I decided the list would only have 25 things on it at all times. As I complete one thing, I can add something new in its place. For the most part, I would try to only work on one or two goals at a time. Thus, my life list was created.

Now you're probably wondering: 'Is make a blog on your list?' Nope, its not. (In fact, theres a link in the sidebar to go look at my list.) I decided to make a blog about it because one; I wanted to share my experience with family and friends. Two; I like to write and three; I like to talk about myself. Put all of those things together and this seems like a good idea. I'm planning to use my blog to post updates on my progress, troubles I've faced, and the rewards I get from crossing something off the list.

I hope you'll continue to follow me on this journey and watch me change me life, one thing at a time!