So... I can groove

I ended 2021 by doing something I never thought I would - signing up for dance classes. Not just any dance class, but this thing called "Girls' Style" which is "a more feminine interpretive version of dance while incorporating various movements in the genre of street dance" says the internetz.

For a not-so-graceful person, I'm glad I showed up at every class even though the instructor's energy was 100x mine, I was one of the oldest students in class, and even though my arms and legs weren't quite able to catch up to the movements for a good six out of eight total weeks.

I had this incredible urge to know I had it in me that I can dance, so instead of imagining it, I went and did something about it. Body confidence (after extensive repetitive practice) boosted! Just that after this final choreo'd dance last week, my right arm and hips ached the hell out...

Having fun while chasing goals

What I did, while laughing at myself, while showing up for a goal I wanted to achieve, can be wrapped up in psychologist and University of Chicago Professor Ayelet Fishbach's explanation on the importance of fun to goal pursuit.

In a May 2020 Q&A with Katy Milkman:

Katy: Do you think this can help explain the benefits of temptation bundling – or linking something we find to be a chore (like exercise) with something that’s fun (like binge-watching a favorite TV show)?

Ayelet: Absolutely. Temptation bundling is a great strategy to increase the immediate positive experience. We can choose to work on projects that are interesting with people we like or we [can] choose to work in our favorite coffee shop. These are ways to introduce immediate fun so that you can stick to your long-term goals.

Katy: I think we can be clear that you're not saying, "Quit your job because it doesn't give you as much joy as mountain climbing." You're saying, "When you go to your job, to be as effective as you can be, make it fun, and these are ways you can do that." Right?

Ayelet: Yes. And they might not be immediately apparent because you might under-appreciate how much it's important to have fun, so you might not realize that for you listening to music actually creates more enjoyment at work.

When choosing a path to a goal, we want to think about the path that is most rewarding for us at the moment. We want to add the spoonful of sugar.

I'll park Ayelet's new book "Get It Done" as my next read. Also, check out more of Katy Milkman's newsletters, they are always giving me food for thought!

In the past 48 hours, I have been:

Listening to: Supreme Team's Then, Then, Then, Primary and Dynamic Duo's Johnny,

Reading: Susie Moore's Stop Checking Your Likes and Erica Dhawan's Digital Body Language (the actual books, but here are quick links to browse)

Watching: The Ingenuity of the House Husband where comedy meets efficiency in terms of how one keeps the house clean, and Spring Camp where it makes me feel I really, really want to go camping and cooking by a barbecue pit (ok, maybe that sleeping outdoors thing may need to KIV)

It's okay to love yourself a little more,
Medhā