Meet Goal THEN receive reward

Those of you with kids think this is so obvious. And it is, but when it comes to ourselves, sometimes we jump the gun and reward ourselves because we know we will meet our goals.  I found out the hard way.

I’ve been counting down till May 17^th (The Day my divorce was final) for the last 6 months, stressing when the courts returned my paperwork, being frustrated that I had to twist my ex’s arm to get some of the paperwork and waiting and anticipating. I figure to make it not so painful and to help me to focus on the bright side I’d buy myself something from Tiffany’s when it was all over.

3wks before the 17^th I was getting excited as it was almost here. It was also my 1^st weekend since Feb that I wasn’t getting an allergy shot and I was finally feeling good and able to fully enjoy my weekend. This was something to celebrate in itself.

My 1^st stop was to get a massage. Next I got my hair done.  I’ve wanted to get a new perm for a long time, but due to my skin being so sensitive due to the allergy shots I’ve had to put it off.  Next stop was Tiffany’s. I figured I’d take a peek and figure out what I wanted to get.  Trying to be cost efficient I ended up purchasing it then and there due to the store is 45 minutes away and I thought it would be a waste to just drive back 3 wks later to make the purchase.  I had an amazing weekend.

When May 17^th finally rolled around… It didn’t go quite as planned.  It was quite a let down.  Looking back I realize it was a mistake to jump the gun and buy the thing that I’ve been waiting 6 months for.  Maybe if I had I wouldn’t have spent the day (and few days before) focusing on everything I lost.  Instead I would have been looking forward to the day with excitement and enthusiasm as I was finally going to get the Tiffany necklace that I’ve been coveting. And the day of, I would have been able to physically hold in my hand something tangible, something that symbolized all I had overcome, all I had endured and a window into the future of all I have to look forward to.

In hindsight I wish I had taken the day off or at least after work drive to Tiffany’s and gotten the necklace.  This way the day would have ended with me glowing as I reflected upon the amazing person I have become like I did that weekend when I bought it 3 wks earlier.

This is best chalked up to Lesson learned.