15 + 17 points
Black Coffee and Cherry Pie by ThreeKoi
November 30th, 2012 2:45 PM
Day 1:
I have a list of mundane tasks that I have been sitting on for weeks. I pulled out the list today and got through half of it.
My reward: A jamba juice. Mmmm….jamba juice.
Day 2:
I finished the other half of the mundane task list.
My reward: Put off work to watch a movie I’d wanted to see forever.
Day 3:
I finished a huge stack of work – on time!
My reward: Ordered my regular latte, but had peppermint syrup added to it (this makes me soooo happy!)
Day 4:
I am in the process of moving overseas and my super-amazing-wonderful family has been immensely helpful. Part of this help is my brother (who lives 3000 miles away from me) has volunteered to babysit my cat for 6 weeks while I get settled in. I had to fly the cat to him and preparing to take a cat on a plane is quite stressful.
The cat and I successfully packed up, got to the airport, and made it through security without so much as a cry or a scratch (from either of us). I got her onto the plane and she fell asleep in her little carrier under the seat.
My reward: I never buy anything on an airplane, but I let myself order a glass of wine to congratulate myself on staying sane while traveling with a cat.
Her reward: a new fish pole toy (her favorite). Honestly, she earned the reward more than I did.
Day 5:
It’s raining, but I took my brother’s dog for a walk anyway.
My reward: Put off work and play with the now wet, but very happy, Bassett Hound for an extra 20 minutes.
His reward: A very long nap.
Day 6:
Today I made some good progress on a project I’m trying to complete.
My reward: Spent the afternoon cooking (one of my favorite things to do, which I rarely have time for anymore). I made my brother (the one who is babysitting that cat) a mini beef wellington and key lime pie.
Day 7:
I returned about seven phone calls today to make last-minute arrangements for the big move.
My reward: I REALLY wanted another peppermint latte, so I got one.
How did this change me?
As you can see from above, I have a hard time giving myself a reward for nothing (I know, that was the idea), so I when I sat back each day to think about my reward, I found myself having to connect it to something good I had done. I managed to find a little something to be proud of myself for every day. It's a nice feeling to look at the little accomplishments and feel like you did something good.
I have a list of mundane tasks that I have been sitting on for weeks. I pulled out the list today and got through half of it.
My reward: A jamba juice. Mmmm….jamba juice.
Day 2:
I finished the other half of the mundane task list.
My reward: Put off work to watch a movie I’d wanted to see forever.
Day 3:
I finished a huge stack of work – on time!
My reward: Ordered my regular latte, but had peppermint syrup added to it (this makes me soooo happy!)
Day 4:
I am in the process of moving overseas and my super-amazing-wonderful family has been immensely helpful. Part of this help is my brother (who lives 3000 miles away from me) has volunteered to babysit my cat for 6 weeks while I get settled in. I had to fly the cat to him and preparing to take a cat on a plane is quite stressful.
The cat and I successfully packed up, got to the airport, and made it through security without so much as a cry or a scratch (from either of us). I got her onto the plane and she fell asleep in her little carrier under the seat.
My reward: I never buy anything on an airplane, but I let myself order a glass of wine to congratulate myself on staying sane while traveling with a cat.
Her reward: a new fish pole toy (her favorite). Honestly, she earned the reward more than I did.
Day 5:
It’s raining, but I took my brother’s dog for a walk anyway.
My reward: Put off work and play with the now wet, but very happy, Bassett Hound for an extra 20 minutes.
His reward: A very long nap.
Day 6:Today I made some good progress on a project I’m trying to complete.
My reward: Spent the afternoon cooking (one of my favorite things to do, which I rarely have time for anymore). I made my brother (the one who is babysitting that cat) a mini beef wellington and key lime pie.
Day 7: I returned about seven phone calls today to make last-minute arrangements for the big move.
My reward: I REALLY wanted another peppermint latte, so I got one.
How did this change me?
As you can see from above, I have a hard time giving myself a reward for nothing (I know, that was the idea), so I when I sat back each day to think about my reward, I found myself having to connect it to something good I had done. I managed to find a little something to be proud of myself for every day. It's a nice feeling to look at the little accomplishments and feel like you did something good.
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posted by Bex. on December 2nd, 2012 11:58 AM
I don't know, but somehow it seems antithetical the the purpose and directions of this task to have to earn your presents. That's the whole thing about a present, you just get it for no reason, no tit-for-tat, but just to celebrate you as you are, untied to any particular behavior or accomplishment. That's what makes them different from "rewards."
Everyone's write up for this task seems to subtly say that no one can give themselves a break without guilt. I want more info on that process and what happens when you fly in the face of it.
posted by ThreeKoi on December 9th, 2012 1:09 PM
I completely agree, that's why I had to put that in my reflection. I didn't want to pretend otherwise. This was a tough one for me and I've been so impressed by those who haven't had that hangup.
I like your thoughts of do a task and get a reward :)