Are you in the New Year’s Resolution club? For so many years I’ve opted out of that… and started resolutions on Dec 1 instead. Which works much better for me. Mind tricks? Who knows.
This year, however, it seemed like the holidays crept up on me. Here it is almost New Year’s Eve and I’m still doing some of the things I wanted to change almost a month ago, or even 6 months ago.
Here’s the thing. There isn’t a magical day that *poof* makes our bad habits go away, or that makes our desired happy life changes happen all of a sudden. Wouldn’t it be great if there was such a day? Man oh man. I’d be all over that!
Truth is. We are all capable, we all have it within us to make any change we wish, at any time. Intentions are great, but they just aren’t magic. What we have to make sure to add is ACTION. Continuous action. Not the head to the gym every week of January action. But the still going to the gym in July action. THAT’S what makes lasting change.
So rather than see New Year’s Day as a magical day on the calendar that we have to resolve to make changes by, only to be let down in a week or a month… let’s start today.
In my coaching sessions, I’ve found that asking certain questions helps get things rolling. Write the answers down. Keep them handy. Look at them often.
What are your goals for this coming year (be realistic & practical)? Where do you want to be this time next year? How do you want to feel? What do you want your life to look like? What do you want to release, or acquire? If you start today, there are 368 ½ days to make those things happen. Cool, right? Extra time.
What will it take to reach the desired outcomes? For example. If one of your goals is to save money, start saving 10% of your income every month, now. If one of your goals is to eat better. Go slow. Start this week by eating a healthy breakfast. No forcing yourself to go all gung-ho all at once – that is a set up for failure whenever I try it. Instead, eat whatever you’ve been eating for the rest of the day. Then, next week, add a healthy snack to your day, along with healthy breakfast. The rest of the days that week, after the snack, keep with your usual routine. You won’t feel so deprived this way. It will be exciting. Keep adding a healthy meal every week and soon you will have changed your entire diet. You will look forward to adding a new, healthy meal habit each week; while gradually removing the less healthy meals. That will create a lasting lifestyle change in a much more comfortable way.
Whatever your goals are, treat yourself kindly, but don’t let yourself slack. Keep your eyes on the prizes. You’ll feel SO good by this time next year that you’ll be rarin’ to go, onward and upward.
We can do this. So let’s get on it, shall we? (;
Great blog.
Thanks!
My goal is to be in Florida for the Christmas holidays. Donate my gifts to a local animal shelter. I am paying off my bills. Starting a new job. 2016 is bringing great things. God told me so. Because 2015 was so tough.
Sounds excellent! You’re on a roll! Onward and upward! WOOT!