I’m a big believer in practicing every day, at the same time and the same place.

I just don’t do it.  That’s probably why I’m a dilettante and not an expert.

I do try.  But invariably I have a late night out with friends, or take a trip out of town, or just don’t want to practice; so I don’t.

This is where the planning ritual becomes important:

1. Reviewing my vision reminds me of what kind of person I want to be, of what kind of life I want to live.
2. Reviewing my goals reminds me of what I want to accomplish.
3. Reviewing my projects reminds me of what it will take to accomplish those goals.
4. And reviewing my tasks reminds me of the habits required to complete my projects.

By the end of that process I am generally motivated enough to climb back on my horse and start riding in the direction of my vision again.

I once found it difficult to look myself in the mirror of my plans once I’d fallen out of practice.  It made me feel like a failure.

I’d go for months without looking.  By then I’d be out of shape, out of tune, and feeling a great deal of stress.  The stress would drive me to look for a solution, which in turn would bring me back to my plans and to practice.

I’ve decided I’d rather feel like a failure occasionally than to actually be a failure perpetually.  So I plan – daily.