Why Did I Decide to Write this Blog?

    Someone asked me recently why I write.  They genuinely wanted to know why I was writing about saving money instead of just doing it.  Why the extra step of writing about it too.

     I would not have known quite how to answer that question before I found out about Gretchen Rubin's four tendencies.  She writes about how different people are motivated to make changes in their habits.  I took the quiz at gretchenrubin.com and found out I was an "obliger".  I meet outer expectations (commitments to others) but I have a hard time meeting my own expectations.  This rang so true with me.  Obligers like me need some form of accountability to really get personal goals met.  That is why things like Weight Watchers, gym memberships, walking partners and Bible Study groups are popular ways to meet goals.

    So when I had the goal of looking for ways to save money this summer I came up with the blog idea to help me keep that goal.  All you Facebook friends are really my accountability group!  I told you I was going to be mindful of my spending habits and that I would keep you informed about it this summer.  It worked!  I look forward to telling you what I learned and saved.  

    My friend who asked why I write would not be motivated by writing about it.  He took the quiz and he is an "Upholder".  An upholder meets expectations from others and from himself equally.  If he decides that he is going to change a habit, he does it.  No outside help required.  No wonder he can't understand why I need to write.

      I always thought that I just needed more self discipline to get things done and that I was just really bad at self discipline.  I learned that putting some accountability in place really helps me.  I feel better about myself since learning this.            

     Learning others' tendencies has helped me too.   I  found out that I have a daughter who is a "questioner" and two sons that are "rebels"!  No wonder all my great accountability ideas that I tried to force on them didn't work!  
     Take the quiz, see if it rings true for you.  If you're a rebel:  "take the quiz or not" and if you're a questioner:  "take the quiz, it is a tool to help you change habits".


  P.S.   There is also that thing about just plain loving to write and communicate with you all!