Adding Some Sparkle for Motivation
Posted on May 9, 2011 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Productivity
Mondays are productivity days at SimpleProductivity blog.
This post was inspired by my grade-school-aged daughter. She likes "fun" things, like sparkly pencils, scented markers, notebooks that have cool covers and fun scissors. She told me that this is because it makes doing homework a little more fun, and make her want to do her homework.
As I turned back to my desk with its black-covered Moleskine notebook, stick pen in black, and generic computer wallpaper, I realized she might be on to something.
The truth is, just because we’re grown-ups, our tools don’t have to be boring.
In fact, I am actually more motivated when I am using fun tools. I feel more like writing when I look at my green-covered notebook with my purple ink. I’m more likely to do the filing when I’m using my colorful folders. And I have to confess, I like the sparkly pencils as well.
If a job is unappealing, I try to add a little sparkle. How?
- I don’t mind weeding as much when I have pretty gloves on.
- My notes are more likely to get made if the notebook has nice paper inside it.
- I read my motivational items more noticed if they are glittered.
- I drink more water when using a nice glass during the day (instead of a plastic cup).
My husband scoffed at the idea, but I think it applies to men as well. I’ve noticed that he will always get the feel of a paintbrush before he buys it, and he works with Naples Yellow light paint. A lot. And he is very particular about the type of pen he uses while dealing with accounts – red only, G2 medium point.
So I’m going to throw it out to you…can you look at something you find unpleasant and find a "fun" tool to make it easier? Share your ideas below.
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
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Comments (2)
Absolutely! Meetings. A few years back, I bought a set of very “feminine” soft-tip pens, which came in pink, lavender, and cyan. *NOT* very professional. But looking back at my meeting notes from those days, I always had a title, a date, a subject for the meeting, etc. And I took notes furiously… I was very organized, thanks to my kiddie pen set.
Another advantage: with “girly” pens, no male colleague will “borrow” them.