#100 Day Project: 3 Good Things About Today

Tracking the good stuff

One good thing leads to another
Last year on a walk around the neighborhood, we stopped at the Little Free Library box that's tucked in a break in the split-rail fence, two blocks down.

Inside the box I saw the bright yellow spine of Shawn Achor's book, On Happiness. I was familiar with Achor's (funny) TED Talk and took it home.

A new practice
Achor's book is filled with stories and studies on how to boost your happiness. One way is to create a daily list of three good things. It's much the same as a gratitude, list, but I like the idea of three good things.

As you sit with pen in hand, you might at first wonder what good your ordinary day held.

Stick with it
Take a step-by-step run through your day ... you'll find there were good things.

Things like:

1) that warm shower after a chill
2) seeing the sun after the rain, or
3) a smile from that stranger on the street

It's surprising how comforting and reassuring it can be to recall even the smallest moments.

Taking it to another level
Yesterday, I decided to try something different ... same exercise, but in a new format. Every day for the next 100 days I will continue to list three good things about my day ... and illustrate one.

The idea is inspired by Michael Beirut's 100 Day Project. My goal is to experiment with writing (maybe a poem or short essay), collage, painting, drawing, and photography.

In keeping with Beirut's outline, I will keep the project simple and work on it for only 15-30 minutes a day, for 100 days.

Will you join me?

You don't have to illustrate your list and no special skills are needed.

Just write down three good things at the end of each day. You can list them in a notebook, on sticky notes, a chalkboard, or document them on your phone.

Whatever is most convenient, and makes it more likely you'll stick with it.

I started with a blank notebook and keep it on a side table where I'm sure to see it every day.

If, like me, you want to take it to another level, pair an illustration or photograph with one entry from the day's list.

If you like hand lettering, hand letter your list.

Experiment with abstract images, shapes, and colors that represent how the good feels, or looks, to you.

Either way, it's a good exercise to remind ourselves that if we look, really look, there is something good to be logged and appreciated every day.

I hope you'll join me.

p.s. I've created a blank template to keep my 100 day entries consistent ... if you like, download and use the template for your list.