Remember That Thing You Were Going to Do? 💡

It’s not about how often you forget… but how quickly you remember.” 🌱

Well that resonates with me! 

We all know that feeling—"Shoot! I forgot I was gonna do X... and I really meant to!"  It’s so normal to forget that new habit or intention we set for ourselves. Even the one you might have tried to start last week (hint hint). 

Maybe you were going to start that morning walk, or you tried it once and just didn’t keep the momentum. Life happens, right?  I know my kids' robust social calendar is really trying to squash all my time away (amirite?!?!).

But the moment you remember you forgot, you’ve paused the forgetting. And even though that sentence might be confusing, the meaning is  Super Powerful.

Need help trying to remember that new thing you were going to do? 

Here are 7 Quick Tips to help you remember to do what you said you were going to do!  Try one or try them all - even if it sounds ridiculous because it’s just a small change, give it a go.  What do you have to lose?

1. Visualize yourself doing it 💡– I’m serious about this.  Even if you’re just drinking a glass of water when you wake up in the morning, visualize yourself getting out of bed, maybe groggy or wanting more sleep, and drinking that glass of water.  Let the visual come alive and imagine how good you will feel after drinking water first thing everyday (or doing whatever habit you’re trying to achieve).

2. Get clear on your WHY 🔑 –  Your WHY is your fuel. Why does this little new habit matter? You’re not just taking a walk to use your time more wisely— you’re doing it to calm down at the end of the day so you can feel lighter and more playful with your kids or others.  You’re doing it to let work go and drop into home life with more presence.  You’re doing it to reconnect with nature.  You’re doing it to reflect on your day and what’s really important.  Why does this habit really matter to you? Add some more oomph to the goal by getting clear on why you’re doing it!

3. Write it down ✍️ – Write it down and put that new habit somewhere visible. Research shows that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them than those who don't!  Trying to drink more water? Put a sticky note on your computer and when that note loses it’s “noticeability,” move it somewhere else.  Trying to stretch every 60 minutes?  Make a daily hourly chart and stick it somewhere you'll notice every hour and mark off the hours you do it! 

4. Create a touchstone 📿 – Assign a piece of jewelry to your goal so when you see it, it reminds you to do the thing.  You can also just put a hairband on your finger or a coin/stone/crystal in your pocket.  Just do something slightly odd that you’ll notice and remember why it’s actually there.

5. Habit Stack ✔️ – Do the thing before or after something you’re already doing (like thinking of something you're grateful for before you brush your teeth, or put on your seatbelt).  Check out James Clear’s awesome article for more.

6. Phone alarm ⏰ – While I don’t love relying on my phone more than necessary, I do use an alarm with a unique message like, “Breathe,” Notice something good,” “Get ready to play” to bring me back to whatever my intention is.

7. Set Yourself Up for Success the Night Before 😴 – Going for a walk in the morning?  Lay out your walking clothes next to your bed.  Drinking water first thing?  Fill up a glass of water ready to drink when you wake.  Doing a new morning ritual starting with gratitude?  Put the journal by your bed.

Remember, it’s not that you forget—it’s about how quickly you remember to come back… back to you. 💖

Here’s to staying grounded in what matters most.

Lotsa Love!
Abbey