Eating My Own Dog Food

"Eat your own dog food."

I keep hearing this phrase, and it makes me laugh. But it's a point I keep emphasizing. Usually, I'm talking about a company that touts green principals but doesn't allow employees to telecommute, or continues to use exorbitant amounts of paper. But as I wrote a blog post here, I realized that I should try it for myself.

I was writing something about daily motivation, suggesting you list reasons near your bed or desk or wherever. At the same time, I was struggling to include exercise in my routine each morning. Yet it took a week or two for the overhead light bulb to click. But click it did.

So I created this list of five reasons to get out of bed each morning and exercise. All are true and relevant to my life right now. I also added a calendar at the bottom so I can put an "x" over each day that I exercise. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld uses this "Don't break the chain" technique. The row of Xs on the calendar creates a chain and you may feel compelled to keep going so you don't break it.

I pasted this by my bedside at the beginning of July and so far, it's going very well. I have broken the chain a few times, especially recently. It's a little fuzzy, since I'm nearly blind without my glasses or contacts, but I look at the page each day.

If nothing else, I'm eating my own dog food by applying a technique I encourage my clients to try. And you know what? It tastes pretty good.

What gets you motivated?