Good morning,
Today is February 4th and I have survived thirty-five (35) days Wal-Mart free! Can you believe it? I sure can't. As each day passes, it is getting easier and easier not to fall off the wagon. I mean, I don't even think about going to Wal-Mart when I plan my shopping errands. And when a Wal-Mart sales paper comes in the mail, I put it in file #666 without so much as a glance. I am celebrating my success, however, I am very aware that there are still 330 days left in my journey and only time will tell whether I can continue to stay the course.
What have you resolved the give up or do more of in 2010? I'd love to hear how you've progressed...or not. Are you struggling to keep focused? Have you given up and decided to try again next year? Come on. Talk to me.
Until next time...peace,
Hazel
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Xpress Yourself Publishing is the African American Literary Awards Show 2008 Independent Publisher of the Year, and an English-language publisher headquartered in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The house of ESSENCE® best-selling authors, Xpress Yourself Publishing is a minority- and woman-owned company publishing ficton, non-fiction and self-help books. Visit us online at www.XpressYourselfPublishing.com, where dreams are turned into reality!
Showing posts with label Wal-Mart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wal-Mart. Show all posts
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Day 21...Have I Kicked The Wal-Mart Habit?
Today marks 21 days free of Wal-Mart for me. I feel pretty good about it. There haven't been any noticable withdrawal symptoms. I am able to shop in a Wal-Mart shopping center without so much as a look in the super-store's direction.
A few weeks ago, I spoke to a friend who kicked a similar habit. He gave up eating at McDonald's. The fact that he says he hasn't eaten at McDonald's in about five years gives me hope that I can actually get the Wal-Mart monkey off my back.
For those of you who are interested in breaking a habit, I've included an article on the subject I read on www.francesfarmersrevenge.com that may help.
How To Change/Break A Habit
It Takes 21 Days
Daily Activities To Help Change Habits
"I should change, but I've tried and failed." Does this sound familiar? Often, changing habits does seem insurmountable. Many of us simply don't have enough motivation to change our habits - all of our bad habits - in a way that would truly affect our health. We cling to them because we see them as rewards.
But your habits determine your health. Below is a strategy and focus on daily activities to help you change and eliminate bad habits.
It Takes 21 Days To Break A Bad Habit
To begin with, choose one unhealthy habit you wish to eliminate or change. Or, choose a healthy habit you want to adopt as part of your behavior. If it is a habit to eliminate, you may wish to go "cold turkey" or have a gradual tapering off. Caution: If it is a drug or chemical habit you are planning on eliminating, be sure to obtain an expert's opinion as to whether you need to taper off usage as opposed to quitting cold turkey.
Now that you have decided which unhealthy habit to eliminate, or new habit to adopt, decide on the date you will begin your behavior change. Give this date a good deal of thought and then write it down. For example, "On February 15, 2001, I will become a non-smoker."
In order to ensure behavior change, experts agree that it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a behavior. Again, look at the date you are planning on changing your habit. Count ahead 21 days and mark that date down. Now, make a commitment that you will follow your plan for 21 days.
Helpful Suggestions
Your target date has arrived. It is the first day of your 21-day cycle. Here are some helpful suggestions for habit change:
Write down your goal. There is magic in the written word when it applies to you. Experts recommend stating your goal in positive terms, such as "I want to be lean and physically fit," instead of "I've got to get this flabby body out there huffing and puffing." So, begin with writing down, as a positive goal, the habit you will change.
List your reasons for changing or eliminating your habit. Writing it down will force you to think out in specific terms what this habit represents in your life and the meaning you believe your life will hold for you upon changing the habit. This will also help with your commitment toward taking positive action.
Find substitute routines. For example, if you are changing eating habits and you have identified a particularly difficult time of the day when eating habits are poor, create an activity, a new routine for that time.
Talk to yourself. Tell yourself you're making progress. Remind yourself that you are moving closer to your goal.. Talk to yourself throughout the day about how you are going to avoid triggers that can get you off track and make healthy substitutes.
Recruit helpers for support. Explain to them why you are making this change. Ask for their support. Their support may be needed encouragement.
Be prepared for people who may sabotage your change. Be assertive and tell them what they are doing.
Sustaining Motivation
The following are some suggestions to follow each day in order to sustain motivation and determination:
Review your list of reasons for quitting or changing.
Create mental pictures of yourself as having already succeeded with your habit change.
Make affirmations, positive self-statements about your habit change. For example, "I am filled with so much health and vitality now that I exercise four times a week."
Reward yourself. Make up a list of self-rewards. Reward yourself verbally.
Remember to take one day at a time. If you do backslide, don't label yourself as having failed. Get out your list or reasons for quitting or changing and begin again.
Fatigue, boredom, depression, stress can all make it difficult to stick with your program. But having a relapse isn't as important as how you deal with the relapse. If you are so devastated by failure that you call your good intentions into question, that will make habit change harder for you. But, if you allow for an occasional relapse and treat it as nothing more than a slight misstep that teaches you something, then you're on the right track.
Follow the suggestions in this article, adopt the more helpful attitude of evaluating your progress and accepting relapses, and you will find yourself reaching many of your goals. You will have achieved true behavior change.
Source: www.francesfarmersrevenge.com
www.hazelmillsstories.com
A few weeks ago, I spoke to a friend who kicked a similar habit. He gave up eating at McDonald's. The fact that he says he hasn't eaten at McDonald's in about five years gives me hope that I can actually get the Wal-Mart monkey off my back.
For those of you who are interested in breaking a habit, I've included an article on the subject I read on www.francesfarmersrevenge.com that may help.
How To Change/Break A Habit
It Takes 21 Days
Daily Activities To Help Change Habits
"I should change, but I've tried and failed." Does this sound familiar? Often, changing habits does seem insurmountable. Many of us simply don't have enough motivation to change our habits - all of our bad habits - in a way that would truly affect our health. We cling to them because we see them as rewards.
But your habits determine your health. Below is a strategy and focus on daily activities to help you change and eliminate bad habits.
It Takes 21 Days To Break A Bad Habit
To begin with, choose one unhealthy habit you wish to eliminate or change. Or, choose a healthy habit you want to adopt as part of your behavior. If it is a habit to eliminate, you may wish to go "cold turkey" or have a gradual tapering off. Caution: If it is a drug or chemical habit you are planning on eliminating, be sure to obtain an expert's opinion as to whether you need to taper off usage as opposed to quitting cold turkey.
Now that you have decided which unhealthy habit to eliminate, or new habit to adopt, decide on the date you will begin your behavior change. Give this date a good deal of thought and then write it down. For example, "On February 15, 2001, I will become a non-smoker."
In order to ensure behavior change, experts agree that it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a behavior. Again, look at the date you are planning on changing your habit. Count ahead 21 days and mark that date down. Now, make a commitment that you will follow your plan for 21 days.
Helpful Suggestions
Your target date has arrived. It is the first day of your 21-day cycle. Here are some helpful suggestions for habit change:
Write down your goal. There is magic in the written word when it applies to you. Experts recommend stating your goal in positive terms, such as "I want to be lean and physically fit," instead of "I've got to get this flabby body out there huffing and puffing." So, begin with writing down, as a positive goal, the habit you will change.
List your reasons for changing or eliminating your habit. Writing it down will force you to think out in specific terms what this habit represents in your life and the meaning you believe your life will hold for you upon changing the habit. This will also help with your commitment toward taking positive action.
Find substitute routines. For example, if you are changing eating habits and you have identified a particularly difficult time of the day when eating habits are poor, create an activity, a new routine for that time.
Talk to yourself. Tell yourself you're making progress. Remind yourself that you are moving closer to your goal.. Talk to yourself throughout the day about how you are going to avoid triggers that can get you off track and make healthy substitutes.
Recruit helpers for support. Explain to them why you are making this change. Ask for their support. Their support may be needed encouragement.
Be prepared for people who may sabotage your change. Be assertive and tell them what they are doing.
Sustaining Motivation
The following are some suggestions to follow each day in order to sustain motivation and determination:
Review your list of reasons for quitting or changing.
Create mental pictures of yourself as having already succeeded with your habit change.
Make affirmations, positive self-statements about your habit change. For example, "I am filled with so much health and vitality now that I exercise four times a week."
Reward yourself. Make up a list of self-rewards. Reward yourself verbally.
Remember to take one day at a time. If you do backslide, don't label yourself as having failed. Get out your list or reasons for quitting or changing and begin again.
Fatigue, boredom, depression, stress can all make it difficult to stick with your program. But having a relapse isn't as important as how you deal with the relapse. If you are so devastated by failure that you call your good intentions into question, that will make habit change harder for you. But, if you allow for an occasional relapse and treat it as nothing more than a slight misstep that teaches you something, then you're on the right track.
Follow the suggestions in this article, adopt the more helpful attitude of evaluating your progress and accepting relapses, and you will find yourself reaching many of your goals. You will have achieved true behavior change.
Source: www.francesfarmersrevenge.com
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Day 5...Life Without Wal-Mart
Okay folks,
Today was a little more challenging and really tested my commitment to my self-imposed 365-day Wal-Mart fast.
It is a chilly 30 degrees here in the sunny South and of course, I had errands to run this morning. I needed to pick up a few food items, light bulbs for my microwave, a bible cover, fireplace logs and a new fish for my desktop aquarium. All of these things could have easily been purchased (probably cheaper)at Wal-Mart. Boom! One stop and I'm done and back in the warmth and comfort of my home. Was I tempted? Hell to the yes! But I had to stay strong and honor the promise I made to myself. Ugh! No Wal-Mart this year. So, I traveled to four (4) different stores to gather what I needed. Luckily, they were all relatively close to each other.
I also realized something else today. Customer service really does exist! When I needed help finding the fireplace logs at Lowe's, not only did the worker tell me where to find them, she actually walked with me until I found them! Would this have happened at WallyWorld? My experience says "no". Hell, I can barely find a blue-vested person a Wal-Mart when I need them. And when I do luck upon the blue vest, it is usually comes complete with attitude.
Well, 5 down and 360 to go. Will I make it? Hmm...time will tell.
Until next time...peace,
Hazel
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Today was a little more challenging and really tested my commitment to my self-imposed 365-day Wal-Mart fast.
It is a chilly 30 degrees here in the sunny South and of course, I had errands to run this morning. I needed to pick up a few food items, light bulbs for my microwave, a bible cover, fireplace logs and a new fish for my desktop aquarium. All of these things could have easily been purchased (probably cheaper)at Wal-Mart. Boom! One stop and I'm done and back in the warmth and comfort of my home. Was I tempted? Hell to the yes! But I had to stay strong and honor the promise I made to myself. Ugh! No Wal-Mart this year. So, I traveled to four (4) different stores to gather what I needed. Luckily, they were all relatively close to each other.
I also realized something else today. Customer service really does exist! When I needed help finding the fireplace logs at Lowe's, not only did the worker tell me where to find them, she actually walked with me until I found them! Would this have happened at WallyWorld? My experience says "no". Hell, I can barely find a blue-vested person a Wal-Mart when I need them. And when I do luck upon the blue vest, it is usually comes complete with attitude.
Well, 5 down and 360 to go. Will I make it? Hmm...time will tell.
Until next time...peace,
Hazel
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Countdown Has Begun!
Happy New Year! Wow, I must say 2009 went by like a flash. Where did it go? That just goes to prove that life is but a vapor and we must make the most of each and every moment we are generously given.
Have you made your "resolutions" for 2010? What are your goals? Is it to stop smoking? Lose weight? Start a business? Find love? Go back to school? Well, whatever you have resolved, I encourage you to focus and to stick with it.
This year, I have decided to try to live 365 days without something that is very near and dear to a lot of us. It is going to be challenging but I believe I can do it. I realize that there are going to be days when I'll be tempted to relapse but I too, must stay focused.
I have named 2010 as the year without Wal-Mart. Yes, I said it. Wal-Mart. Now, before some of you get your thongs in a bunch, this is not an attempt to ignite a global ban or boycott against America's largest retailer. I am not a fool. It is just one woman's decision to spend her money in another store.In other words, my personal journey and I know that it will not change the Wal-Mart landscape. Like I said, it is personal.
Why? There are a few reasons but the main two are 1) I want to test the unwritten theory that Wal-Mart is essential to all life forms and 2) my last few visits to several Wal-Mart stores have truly tested my patience and religion (as if I don't have enough things in my life to do that).
Think about it. What did we do before Wal-Mart? Can anyone remember a time when there was no Wal-Mart.
There it is. My goal. No Wal-Mart for me this year. I plan to blog about it all year to let you know how I'm doing and I am interested in what your thoughts are on the subject. Can I do it? I don't know. I mean, like the rest of the world, Wal-Mart has been the "go to" place for all things for years for me, especially with children. One stop shopping for groceries, personal hygiene products, drugs, clothes, tires, pedicures, etc. As a matter of fact, I have already been tempted today when I realized that it is January 1 and I don't have a new calendar.
I didn't say it would be easy but I am determined.
Until next time....happy Wal-Mart-ing for the rest of the world.
Hazel Mills
www.hazelmillsstories.com
Have you made your "resolutions" for 2010? What are your goals? Is it to stop smoking? Lose weight? Start a business? Find love? Go back to school? Well, whatever you have resolved, I encourage you to focus and to stick with it.
This year, I have decided to try to live 365 days without something that is very near and dear to a lot of us. It is going to be challenging but I believe I can do it. I realize that there are going to be days when I'll be tempted to relapse but I too, must stay focused.
I have named 2010 as the year without Wal-Mart. Yes, I said it. Wal-Mart. Now, before some of you get your thongs in a bunch, this is not an attempt to ignite a global ban or boycott against America's largest retailer. I am not a fool. It is just one woman's decision to spend her money in another store.In other words, my personal journey and I know that it will not change the Wal-Mart landscape. Like I said, it is personal.
Why? There are a few reasons but the main two are 1) I want to test the unwritten theory that Wal-Mart is essential to all life forms and 2) my last few visits to several Wal-Mart stores have truly tested my patience and religion (as if I don't have enough things in my life to do that).
Think about it. What did we do before Wal-Mart? Can anyone remember a time when there was no Wal-Mart.
There it is. My goal. No Wal-Mart for me this year. I plan to blog about it all year to let you know how I'm doing and I am interested in what your thoughts are on the subject. Can I do it? I don't know. I mean, like the rest of the world, Wal-Mart has been the "go to" place for all things for years for me, especially with children. One stop shopping for groceries, personal hygiene products, drugs, clothes, tires, pedicures, etc. As a matter of fact, I have already been tempted today when I realized that it is January 1 and I don't have a new calendar.
I didn't say it would be easy but I am determined.
Until next time....happy Wal-Mart-ing for the rest of the world.
Hazel Mills
www.hazelmillsstories.com
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