routine

Worn from routine use.

New Year’s Eve we were watching “Live from Lincoln Center.” Hope was recovering from losing four wisdom teeth that morning. Nancy was reading, I was riding the stationary bike I borrowed from friends a year ago. In short, we were exercising our bodies, our minds, and our patience with pain. I looked at the television just as the camera showed a […]

by Jon Swanson

Leaving things the same

When you look at what you want to do in 2013, what do you want to leave the same? What habits are already working great? What do you want to do for the second year in a row? What do you want to do for the third day in a row? As I was thinking […]

by Jon Swanson

Examining our routines

At the beginning of 2012, when I was working on my health, I had to look at why I was snacking. What was happening inside and outside of me that made me think eating something was the appropriate response? The question is, “When I do that, what am I really doing?” That kind of analysis […]

by Jon Swanson

learning to be routinely pleasant.

DeVon‘s memorial service is tomorrow. He was 92. “When I get that old, I want to be that pleasant,” one of my coworkers said. Everyone around the table agreed. Everyone had a story about DeVon’s courtesy, thoughtfulness, smile, commitment. He wasn’t perfect. But he was routinely good. Routines shape our days. They give our minds […]

by Jon Swanson

It’s the end of the year. Time to talk about goals and plans and promises and change. During our four years together, I’ve talked about three words and one word and 100 goals and preparing instead of planning. I’ve read about habit and mindsets and deliberate practice. I’m more aware than I’ve ever been that […]