Here's the quick AI explanation:
"The "floors and ceilings" approach to habit formation is
a
framework used to build consistency by setting a minimum baseline
("floor") to ensure action, and a maximum limit ("ceiling") to prevent
burnout. This technique addresses the main failure point in
forming new habits—relying on high motivation to perform large,
unsustainable actions—by focusing on small, repeatable behaviors that
create momentum regardless of daily circumstances."Here's the goal I'm currently working on:
I want to deal with the paper in my life. I have more than one box of paper that I've collected from surfaces and stashed into boxes.
The floor or baseline goal is dealing with one piece of paper from my latest box of paper. The ceiling (or maximum limit to prevent burnout) for me is spending ten minutes dealing with paper. Can you tell that I can get overwhelmed quickly?
The key to success seems to be where I place the box! I recently put the box where I see it every night when I pull the decorative pillows off the bed. So even if I've failed to deal with paper during the day, there's the box reminding me: "Just one piece of paper." Last night, I dealt with one piece of paper and seven sticky notes.
About those sticky notes - I'm trying to limit their ability to proliferate by using a wire bound journal for notes to self. When I finish dealing with a page of them, I merely rip it out of the journal.
What tips do you have for dealing with the paper in your life?
Thank
you, Two Writing Teachers, for creating this challenge and providing the
space and support for us year after year. And thanks to this magnificent
community for sharing stories with me and encouraging my writing life.
For me, dealing with paper is easy. I let Kathy do it. Sorry. arjeha
ReplyDeleteDiane (newtreemom)
ReplyDeleteI WISH I had some good tips… the truth is I need all the help I can get when it comes to tackling the paper pile-up at my house! Ten minutes a day sounds reasonable but it might take years to get through it all.
When you figure this out, please let me know! Whenever I walk into our storage closet, I'm in danger of being buried under an avalanche of paper. I find the "floors" and "ceilings" approach interesting. I may need to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...when I have a stack I make two piles. One pile is a definite toss into the trash can, and the other is a pile that needs more thinking. I can go through a big stack. Yes, the second stack will need more assessing, but at least I weed through some trash.
ReplyDeleteMy strategy for next year is binders (in my classroom, my home is pretty paper-free). I have sticky notes, notebooks, random pages, all of it and the chaos KILLS me.
ReplyDeleteBob's strategy made me laugh. So much paper! I have so much I need to sort through and deal with. I have never heard of the floor and ceiling approach, but I like how it keeps the bar low for managing to get something done each day.
ReplyDelete