Entry # 10

1. The results were pretty noticeable I would say. I changed from posting up two late posts to continuing on with on-time posts...that has to be some kind of positive improvement. Before, I dreaded checking my planner. It was a burden, a chore, something that felt like a punishment almost because every time I opened it, I knew something was still not finished and that I had a lot more to finish. However, after the initiation of the $2 payments to myself as a positive reinforcement for every time that I checked my planner, I became a lot more active and my thoughts changed as well. I like checking my planner, calendar, and cellphone now for everything I need to do because I am a lot more prompt in everything and I feel like I have everything under control instead of waiting for something bad to happen because I forgot about it.

2. The two dollar incentive worked. In the beginning, I was thinking about punishing myself for every time that I forgot to check but I realized that made my life a lot more negative and miserable. Instead of using the punishment as a fear tactic, I was making myself depressed because I was basically rubbing salt on my wound. Knowing that I had done something wrong or failed to do something I was suppose to do was already hard enough, then taking away T.V. or particular favorite foods just made it worse. This was a down rolling snowball effect.

3. Actually, I really don't think I was paying that much attention to this target behavior. I never felt like I did it as an assignment because I had to do it anyways to keep myself on track and actually to remember to create posts. The heightened awareness alone did not create that much change for me. I was never really concerned on whether or not I checked my planner. However, the positive incentive could have swayed me a bit since I was earning money for these actions.

4. In my opinion, for any change to continue, maintain, and become a long-term thing, one's attitude has to change. After changing my attitude and my outlook on my planner, everything came naturally. At first, I did it for the money. However, after talking to myself into why I am doing this in the first place and how I can benefit more than I have to perform, I was enjoying the opening planner moments. I know, that sounds very weird. But...I realized that this was not a job, a chore, or anything of that kind. This was my friend that kept me on track and organized to succeed not only in school but in my upcoming future. I needed this planner to help change me. So, now, I open my planner knowing that this is another chance or opportunity to keep doing a good job. Instead of a burden, the things I have to do are enjoyable and more like a challenge to my ordinary life.

5. The challenging part of this assignment was actually the attitude change. Yes, sometimes it was hard to find dollar bills to give to myself, but the attitude was the most difficult part. This was more like a rebirth. Once you change your mind, you become almost a different person in seeing things through a new pair of eyes.

6. This assignment was very beneficial for me. Something that I think would be even more beneficial is if we tried to find inspirational quotes from time to time to keep motivating ourselves. If I hadn't changed my attitude and relied solely on the incentive of the $2, I would have gone back to my old way of thinking. So, inspirational quotes from time to time would be helpful. Also, future students can explain the quote, the significant in their life, and how it will motivate them to keep doing what they are doing to change themselves.

7. The best part of this assignment is helping myself help me. Nobody is perfect and I am sure we all go through life wishing we could change somethings here or there. Well, this assignment was a setup for us to take action. It taught me that even if somethings are hard, I can still change it. As long as I take the initiative and try hard, I will have made a difference. This difference might be small but even something small could become big in the future. Something small as in creating a positive habit to check planners can help readjust me as a person. I will be more organized, on time, focused and reach my goals easier knowing that I am keeping track of everything I need to do. Overall, this assignment was awesome and I had a great time helping myself for the better.