Everyday Systems: everydaysystems: message 59 of 74

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Hi all, I was thinking about Reinhards response to me about making 
little "tweaks" which will *stick* rather than huge gestures which 

won't. Yes it's kindof cool to be able to look at yourself in the 
reflection and say, occasionally, "Wow I can't believe I did such an 

amazing thing" regarding big accomplishments, but hey it's not 
always possible to do these big feats...Stuff like running the NY 
Marathon, Climbing Mount Everest pop into my mind. Believe me I 
would be bragging until I had no friends left, if I could do either 
LOL :)
Lately I am trying to "catch myself in the act" of almost breaking a 

rule, or just finding a new way to cut down on calories, or increase 
activity.. Anything sustainable, which, over time, will make me a 
winner (sorry for the black and white win/lose metaphor, I just 
think it's a good mindset for inspirational purposes)
Okay so here's my "system/invention", which still needs some 

distilling. 
It's called the "Tweak-O'Meter", and I am going to use either the 

Human Foot, or the Modern Automobile as a kind of metaphor 
for "making advances towards success"...
We all know about a Pedometer, and on a car a "Tripometer" well 

the "Tweak O'meter" is a little microchip in your mind which keeps 

track of all the little positive "Tweaks" you make throughout your 

day. Today I found myself tossing out a half a container (condiment 
sized) of BBQ sauce, which I put on my steak for lunch...When I 
dumped it in the garbage, I found myself saying, out loud, "Tweak" 

you know like a bird cheeping or something.. I then laughed... That 
little triumph of control really made me feel great. Sure it's only 
20 calories, but if I do that 3 or 4 times a day, in some form or 
another, it will add up to lots by the end of the 
week/month/year/life... I didn't enjoy my lunch any less, infact I 
enjoyed it more because I had enough to satisfy my tastebuds and 
that was that... Okay this is as far as I have developed 
this "system" or technique. The idea is that we become our own 
day-
to-day cheering section...Catching ourselves in the "act" of doing 

something good! Then saying "tweak" in a humorous way, and then 

mentally clicking our "tweakometer" to register our forward momentum 

and, for a lack of a better word, progress...This simple word serves 
as a way of saying "one more everyday triumph for me!" 
Basically anything we do which is proactive, either on a larger or 
miniscule level, can receive a click on the Tweak-O'meter...
People who would rather have a more monetary metaphor, may wish to 
substitute the pedometer/odometer with an old style cash register, 
and when you do something you are proud of, you say the little '90's 
Ode to capitalism, "Cha ching" :)
I remember when Diane wrote about throwing away a cookie that wasn't 
really worth eating, instead of just putting it away and onto the 
hips.. This would definitely receive a click on the "Tweak-O'meter".
Well hope my idea made you laugh and I hope you all give it a try :)
Congratulate yourself for even reading this! You get a "tweak" from 

me!
Let me know if you come up with some other "system requirements" or 

improvements.
Peace and Love,
Debbie
"Tweak!"