59. Coloured Reward Stickers

I mentioned this a few months ago, and it's a great way to monitor whether you're on track or not.

I have star shaped stickers (to subliminally improve my self esteem!) that I put on a wall mounted calendar just for the stickers. So I can instantly see how good or naughty I've been.

Red = getting all my work done, and at least 90% of everything on my daily To Do list.

Yellow = keeping organized records, my diary and carrying out weekly tasks - a different one each day (usually household chores).

Green = keeping an organized kitchen daily and sticking to my healthy ADHD friendly diet, so I'll optimise my brain function and quality of sleep.

Blue = sticking to my exercise routine. That is to walk a minimum of twice a day for 20 minutes, followed by 20 minute stretches. This is great for keeping alert, preventing headaches and stiffness. And the stretches that follow include plenty of abdominal crunches which is a natural appetite suppressant and also improve metabolism.

I also award myself a second yellow star (they only come in four colours!) for getting to sleep before midnight. So obviously I have to wait til the next day to award that one.

The idea is to get a week of five stars every day, then I get a Gold star at the weekend and give myself a treat - NOT ice cream! A cinema trip maybe, but not whilst the Thirty Day Challenge is on.

Sadly I've yet to have a week of five stars, mainly because I'm such a poor sleeper, and even when I'm in bed for 11pm, I can still be awake at 4am. This is due to my mind still buzzing - part of my cyclothymic highs (especially when I have important work to do). That is why exercise is so important.

The thing is, all of these areas of improvement help each other, so it's paramount I get as many of the stars as possible. The only one out of my control really, is the second yellow 'sleep' one.

I often get three or four stickers, but only had all five twice since May when I first started them.