It’s Day 21 of my Transaction Cleanse. Since conventional wisdom holds that it takes 21 days to form a new habit, you may be wondering if being mindful about transactions has become ingrained in me yet. Alas, this is one area where conventional wisdom seems to have led us astray. Recent research suggests that the number 21 might be off by a factor of at least 3!
Budding Hydrangea, Big Thrill
Unintended Consequences
“Be careful what you measure.” It’s an adage that was planted in my brain quite a few years back, probably in organizational behavior class in business school or as advice to a newly minted engineering manager. Since then, this idea has popped up regularly in the context of financial planning, including in this Transaction Cleanse.
Oops, I Did It Again
Almost 2/3 of the way through the Transaction Cleanse and the April Writing Challenge, and a few things are abundantly clear. Overall, I’m doing better in both areas than I would otherwise be doing: spending less, writing more. So that's pretty exciting. And it’s all because I’m a) paying attention, and b) measuring.
But I must confess. I’m paying attention and measuring in a loosey-goosey kind of way.
The Best Things in Life Are $11
The best things in life are free. OK, maybe not quite free, but on this particular day, they only cost me $11.
• Bike ride on rural roads with rolling hills and expansive views: $0
• Good conversation with cycling buddies old and new: $0
• Perfect warm dry sunny day with bluebird sky: $0
• Chicken salad wrap amidst spring blooms at adorable garden café: $11 (the big splurge!)
• Self-tour of café grounds showcasing gorgeous roses, columbines, irises, and many more: $0
• Too tired afterwards to do anything but sit on the patio and do 1996 New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles: priceless