Look on the Bright Side – It’s About Perspective | Life in Comics

October 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

Life in Perspective

So this happened yesterday. No, I did not randomly come across snails painting Mona Lisa portraits, but a painting of mine got smudged by a well-intentioned significant other. It was a painting for someone else. There’s no saving it, I will have to redo it. I went to bed last night trying to control my anger. I tried to keep things in perspective – that there are bigger problems in life. However, my subconscious was serving up dreams that would have said that I was angry. My vibrant dreams were riddled with me running away and crying.

Positive Perspective - snails painting and learning to look on the bright side, even after the worst seemed to happen

Perspective is a Choice

But the thing is, I don’t want to feel angry with my significant other. He didn’t mean to. If I were completely honest with myself this painting for someone else and the quality was not up to my expected standard. I would be embarrassed to give it to them. It needed to be redone. It’s just hard to admit that after you’ve spent time and energy producing something that could be classified as just ‘alright’.

I will redo the painting, and this time, I will be proud of the end product. But what’s more, is that this idea of life in comics actually took shape. You see, I have had this idea for a month or so, but how to implement this idea was elusive. So as I dreamt in my restless state, the ideas formed and came together.

I woke up early this morning, even before my 8-month-old woke up. I created what was in my mind in about 45 minutes. Where in the past, it took me hours and I would end up with nothing to show for it. It’s amazing when and how inspiration comes. It was a very welcome change, especially since I’ve been in a slump for really being productive and getting things done.

So here’s to the choice of looking on the bright side and finding good in every situation. It’s all about perspective. And perspective is a choice.

Emphasis on the RIGHT Words

September 26, 2017 1 Comment

I love lettering. That activity propelled me to get into finding and doing things that I love to help me be a better person.

What is lettering?

Lettering is a form of drawing each letter instead of writing. It’s called many things. Hand-lettering, modern calligraphy, faux calligraphy, lettering etc.

There are many ways to letter a word, sentence, or quote by hand. Some choose a font on their computer and print it out. Each person has their own style. There are more fonts in the world than we could ever count. And I am not a pro {yet} by any means. I am putting in my 10,000 hours to become one… but that is another story for another time.

I started collecting fonts when I had a little computer with 8 gigs of hard drive space. Not RAM, hard drive space. It was a thing. I took a typography class in college and learned how to write in Uncial (here is a google search on Uncial font images if you’re curious.) Even this LOOOOOOOOONG time later, I can still pick up a calligraphy dip pen and produce the letters learned in this class.

I am also a lover of quotes.

Can I tell you that these two loves {quotes + lettering} are a match made in heaven? It takes all the time I will give it. Find a quote, and write it a million different ways. Mix fonts, change styles, try different backgrounds, frames, add a wreath border or another border. ALL THE THINGS. I tell you, if I could read quotes all day long, then write them down, I would do it. I include quotes when I can in my planner.

If you start doing this – it’s a rabbit hole from the likes of which you will never return. By your choice, of course! I am not going to talk about the types of supplies needed to start lettering – there are so many sources and that is not what this post is emphasizing. See what I did there? I emphasized a word.

What is the point of all this talk of lettering and quotes?

Emphasis.

Emphasis is the point.

There are so many times where I have started writing a quote, a very nice quote, and I emphasize the wrong word.

For instance – do any google image search “Quotes on ______” winning, failing, love, joy, hope – it doesn’t matter, just choose your subject. Do not read the quote, just look at it. See which words stand out or which words are emphasized.

I found this quote:

http://img.picturequotes.com/2/546/545603/failure-quote-1.jpg

You Try, You Fail
You Try, You Fail

—-The Real—

Failure
is when you
Stop Trying

If you do not read the quote – and you just glance at it, the quote says:

You Fail
You Fail,
Failure
Stop Trying

Now, this quote is very hard to emphasize on the positive because there are so many negative words. If I were to redo this quote – I might emphasize You Try, You Try and Trying. Still not a lot of positivity, but hopefully, you can see my point about emphasis.

Here is something I lettered – and re-lettered because I didn’t pay attention to the emphasis of the words.

No judgment on my lettering – I am still practicing and as you may have seen, practice makes progress, but I love this quote. If you glance at the words, it says: “You, Wake Up, Be Incredible”. I’m more than ok with that shortened summary of this quote.

I initially wrote this quote with the WRONG words emphasized. At first glance, it said: You, Mediocre, Incredible. Wait, what? What did that quote just say to me? It said I’m mediocre and incredible? That is incredibly confusing.

Emphasize the main points – usually positive words.

When you are lettering, or even choosing fonts on your computer for a favorite quote or mantra, pay attention to the emphasized words. Then when you glance at the quote and say it in your mind as part of your affirmations, or positive reinforcement for yourself, you will see more motivation in the quote and there eliminate any subtle or subconscious detrimental phrases undermining the positive change you are seeking.

More positivity, less negativity! Especially in the subconscious.

This is the end of my Public Service Announcement. You. Wake Up. Be Incredible. Have a good week.

You, wake up, be incredible motivational quote

Follow me on Instagram – I love to post positive quotes among other things to make life better and happier.

If you have a favorite quote leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you. Link to your blog/Instagram post with your favorite quote, I’d be happy to approve it 🙂

Four Ideas to Supercharge Your Habit Tracker {that you may not have thought of before!}

June 20, 2017 4 Comments

Implementing any of these 4 items could increase your habit tracker effectiveness – and help you achieve even more!

Ever heard the quote “What gets measured, gets managed”? Logging month-to-month totals and/or percentages creates a quick overview of your habits each month. Use it to supercharge your habit tracker.

Implementing any of these 4 items could increase your habit tracker effectiveness – and help you achieve even more! Ever heard the quote “What gets measured, gets managed”? Logging month-to-month totals and/or percentages creates a quick overview of your habits each month and facilitates improvement. Want to know how to set up a habit tracker? Here is my step-by-step instructions on setting-up your own habit tracker.

You’ve been tracking your habits, and making some progress! (Good for you!) I know that my habit tracker in my bullet journal has helped me make some major improvements in my life, simply because I like filling it out every day, and I can’t fill it out unless I do the things that are in the tracker! This practice has boosted my motivation, and I have seen a difference in making positive changes. It really helps to hold myself accountable.

Would you like to see more progress or easily compare last month’s tracking numbers without flipping back and forth pages? Here are some super simple ways to help you keep track of your past ‘tracking’.

Idea #1

I have seen some yearly or extended trackers for each habit, but even a double-page spread is simply not big enough to accommodate multiple months with multiple habits. So one month ends and you start a new month with a new habit tracker. The past is in the past right? But aren’t you trying to create a habit? If you don’t know where you came from, then how do you know when to improve? Wouldn’t it be good to see your progress from the previous month?

Bullet Journal Habit Tracker Percentage Chart — Track percentages in your bullet journal habit tracker

Supercharge your habit tracker Idea #1:

Add a “Last Month” Totals Column. Track the same habits over and over again? Add a column at the end of your tracker showing how many days you accomplished your habit last month. Competition with yourself? Yes, please. But no smack talking.

Idea #2

Idea #2: Add a “This Month” Totals Column. {Or a ‘Last Month’ vs ‘This Month’} Prefer not to carry forward the numbers? Add a column for “This Month” or “Totals” to the end of your tracker. When you flip back in your planner to see how you’ve done, you have a quick reference. You could always add a ‘last month’ column and a ‘this month’ column at the end of the tracker – creates a great comparison month to month. An end of journal reflection (because seriously, who can use a single journal for a whole year?) will show improvement at a quick glance month-to-month.

Idea #3

Idea #3: Track Percentages. Really serious about the improvement of your habits? Include a percent field. (To figure the percent – take the total number of days you did your habit – say 13 and divide by the total number of days in the month = percent.) Hate math? no problem. I’ve created a graphic for your reference.

Idea #4:

Idea #4: Cross out days for seldom-tracked habits. Do you have a habit that you want to track, but don’t do it every day – cross out the days that don’t apply for that habit so you don’t become discouraged for only having completed 3 or 4 days in the month.

Use these tips to help change not only your habits but change your character. After all, “it’s never too late to be who you might have been.” -George Elliot

What gets measured, gets managed - Peter Drucker

Leave me a comment below – let me know of any tips or tricks you might have for your bullet journal habit tracker. I’d love to hear from you, and try out some things you like to do too.

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How to Set Up a Habit Tracker in your Planner

June 20, 2017 3 Comments

Do you like the idea of a Habit Tracker in your Bullet Journal, but don’t know where to start? Do you run out of room when numbering in a month? (Yes, I have done it too.) I’ve put together some best practices for planning, laying out and implementing your horizontal Bullet Journal/Planner Monthly Habit Tracker.

Best Practices

I like to create my Habit Tracker horizontally (long ways) So since I am starting with the horizontal layout, so I turn my journal the way I will view the habit tracker – it makes it easier to create and visualize what I am doing.

First of all – have a plan for your plan. Seems redundant? Not really. Just jot down a couple of things you want to include on your habit tracker. Things such as how many goals/habits to track, check the number of days in the month, do you want colors on the columns or rows in the background? Do you want a quote on the page? Don’t get stressed about planning your planning, it’s nothing intense, just some good things to think about as you plan your page. And it will help to prevent those messed up pages no one likes to talk about. (But are perfectly acceptable)
I always start on the right side (where the month ends – and I like leave two spaces on the right for my totals & percentages. If you don’t want these, you can start on the end dot). Start your habit tracker numbering at the end of the monthly days and count backward.
When finished counting, use a ruler to get a straight line under your numbers and to the side of your tracker.
Add a header if you wish.
Then label your habits you want to track. (Need ideas? See Below!)
Draw finishing lines down the sides and bottom if you want to box it in.
I have extra space for a quote at the bottom – so I included a positive productivity quote.
If you truly want to create a habit and see your improvement and progress and improve – here are four tips to supercharge your Bullet Journal Habit Tracker.

I’ve pinned several motivational/productivity quotes to my Pinterest page. Please follow my Quotation Board for more quotes. {This is one of my favorite quote topics ~ so I will pin a lot more as I find them! Here are a few of the latest pins from that board.} Quotes

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-Or – follow me on Pinterest for more ideas, tips, tricks and ideas for your Bullet Journal.
Follow Chocolate Musings

Ideas for your Habit Tracker

Things to track in your habit tracker

Up at 6:30
In bed by 10:30
Slept 8 Hours
No TV
Read
Me Time
Self-Care
No Spend
Cook Dinner
Yoga/Stretching
Exercise
Meditation
Medication/Vitamins
Gratitude Log
Water Intake
Instagram Posts
Pinterest
Facebook
Snapchat
Twitter
Email
Blog
Cleaning
Dishes
Made bed
Tidy up
Vacuumed/Swept
Studied
Learn a skill
Practice
Journal
Did homework
1-1 Time with Kids

Want more tips? Sign up for my newsletter!

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Do you have any other suggestions for the habit tracker? Leave a comment below! I would love to hear from you.

Need Inspiration for a typeface? – check out this beautiful font: “Hello Sunshine”

I have compiled a list of items I used in this post

This post contains affiliate links. The cost is same to you but, I will receive a small commission to help support my blogging and creativity habits 🙂
All opinions expressed were solely mine and from my heart.