Megan's Monday Motivation
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Monday, 11/20/23: Talking about a recap of a 23 in 2023 list

Happy Monday!

It’s a new week, which means it’s time for your next Monday motivation newsletter.

Read on below for some steps to a happier Monday, a short story and a roundup of positive thoughts to get your week started.

Three Steps to a Happier Monday

Each newsletter starts with three prompts to inspire gratitude and simple intention setting. Take a moment and jot down answers to these three questions. To give an example, I share my answers below.  

Step 1: What are three things I appreciated from the weekend? 

Step 2: What is one thing I can be excited about today?

Step 3: What is my intention for this week? 

GRATITUDE: I’m thankful for sunny weather, time to get organized and safe travels home to Florida yesterday. 

TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to be working from home in Florida! So excited to be here for the next week.  

INTENTION: My intention this week is to focus on gratitude (Thanksgiving is Thursday – had to!)

Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂

Meaningful Musings: Recap of 23 in 2023 List

For the past couple year (2020, 2021, 2022), I’ve loved making these annual bucket lists as they prompt me to think about the things (ranging from big to small) I want to do in the year ahead – and – having it all down on paper makes me much more likely to complete them. I’ve already started to keep a list of things to put on my 24 in 2024 list.

Last year I only completed 13/22 things, but I think I’ll have better luck this year… let’s see!

23 in 2023 List: Recap

  1. Send New Year’s cards! 
  2. Get my eyes checked 
  3. Read 40 books 2023 has been a GREAT year of reading! I’ve read 45 books so far, and my favorites include: Tom Lake, Book Lovers, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, Marriage Portrait (audio version), and Free Time.
  4. Try Corepower Yoga LOVE IT (specifically the Yoga Sculpt class) and now have a membership!
  5. Get espresso cups to use with my Nespresso 
  6. Visit EUROPE for the first time!! Went to Ireland in September!
  7. Limit the amount of time I spend mindlessly on my phone I think I’ve done this! I love my current routine of putting my phone away Friday nights
  8. Add something new to the newsletter Photo of the week!
  9. Visit my company’s NYC office Yes! Got to go in September and November – so wonderful to meet colleagues in person 
  10. Save for Christmas shopping in advance 
  11. Go on a trip with Matt! Charleston!
  12. Run my first half marathon (!!) Feels great to check this one off.
  13. Call family members at least once a week 
  14. Invest in buying a new iPad or personal computer 
  15. Visit San Antonio to meet my friend’s baby Met the baby but didn’t make it to San Antonio – would love to next year!
  16. Start wearing a mouth guard at night YES! Can finally check this off thanks to using Remi.
  17. Hit a personal savings goal Proud of myself for this one too.
  18. Make a list of 100 dreams 
  19. Find a good card game for two players  Monopoly Deal
  20. Go to the Northwestern-Penn State game with my parents! 
  21. Track the clothes I wear to figure out cost-per-wear This lasted one month, ha!
  22. Participate in the packing of brown bag lunches with Old St. Pat’s at least once I don’t think they did this outreach this year – so sad! There is something similar related to giving holiday presents that I’m excited to do before end of year. 
  23. Try doing a weekly “Schultz hour” Tried it (an hour with no distractions – just to think) and will it’s not a regular part of my routine, I think I’ve incorporated elements of it into my routine.

17/23 – not bad! Looking forward to sharing my 24 in 24 list soon.

On My Monday Radar

Sometimes we just aren’t ready to jump into our Monday to-do list right away. In case you want some content to procrastinate with, here is a roundup of a few positive things on my radar:  

Picture of the Week

(November 16, 2023)
I was in NYC for work last week and my bestie Amy (who lives in DC) happened to be there too. So happy we got to catch up IRL!!

That’s all for today! I hope you found something in today’s newsletter that sparked motivation, made you smile or inspired a positive Monday thought. Don’t underestimate the power of starting small… a fulfilling week starts with just one fulfilling day. You’ve got this! 

Let’s make it a great Monday!
Megan

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