Small Changes

Years ago when I first heard Thomas Leonard speak of personal environments and the idea that my life could be designed to create more joy and energy, I set a very simple goal for myself. I decided to improve my relationship with the alarm clock.
At the time I was raising my young family while working at a job I didn’t like. Each morning at the sound of the alarm clock, the knot in my stomach began to form and the only thing I was thankful for was the snooze button. Things are different now.

I look forward to getting up in the morning, I even get up earlier these days. Some days my “perkiness” actually irritates my teenage daughter. Many things have changed in my life but there is one very simple change that has made all the difference. I changed the sound of my alarm from a jolting buzz to a very sweet medley that softly greets me at 6:15 every morning and warms my heart. By making one simple change in my environment, I experience more joy and energy. I have made friends with my alarm clock.

Today, follow-up on those incomplete projects and unfinished to-dos, and remember that the small changes sometimes make the biggest difference.