New Year’s Resolutions.
I don’t make them because I don’t believe they work. What is a resolution anyway? Crap. BS. It’s a pronouncement to do something the next year because one, you have not done it in the previous years and two, whatever it is, it’s in the too-hard basket. Lose weight. Eat healthy. Quit smoking. Quit drinking. Be a better partner…Ladidah. These are all very good aims, make no mistake. But.
You make these resolutions and tell it to the world. And as soon as you speak it, write it, or announce it, you turn the corner and completely forget about it. Why? Because it’s all very hard. Then on Dec 31, 2014, you resolve all over again. Ladidah. See? It’s a lot of bull-crap! <did I just create a word?>
Why is this? Because successful people do not wait for the beginning of the year to make changes in their lives. If they want to change something, they do it right now.
People with regular fitness regimens, sound financial plans and perfectly clean (decluttered homes) do not wait until the new year rolls around. It is just part of what they do every day….Do more of what made you happiest in 2013.” (Quoted from an opinion column in The Australian Financial Review)
What works for me are lovely things like goals/plans/objectives.
Goals. More in quantity. Things I have already been doing and intend to do more of! Things that made me happy in 2013. See? Nothing hard. More of the same. And if I am lucky, I can do new things too! So what are my goals for 2014?
– Read another 12 books
– Go for another 6 bushwalks/hikes
– Take a snow holiday, wow; and perhaps a week in Fiji?!
– Another 52 weeks of writing
– Keep to the twice weekly runs
– Try and keep to thrice weekly gym time
– Attend a class of yoga or similar, once weekly
– Purchase another property investment
– Keep sharing and caring and loving it all!
New goals
– Run a Half Marathon or two 🙂 (dreaming big: run a full marathon)
– More drumming practise, my drum (non)muscles need flexing this year
– Dabble in short stories
– Take free online courses at Coursera.org
My list above may look too long or too big. It’s not, really. Because I will do them all anyway. It’s now second nature. I spent 2013 making my todos into habits.
OK, so my soapbox moment is over.
Now let’s talk about your own “goals”.
So you want to Lose Weight? Don’t write “Lose Weight” because those two words do not really mean anything, if you think about it. Commit to this instead ~ Eat Less ~ Less refined carbs, Less sugar, Less processed food. Eat whole foods, meaning as close to the source as possible. Do not commit to the word Quit (such as Quit Sugar, Quit Smoking). Believe me, when your brain sees the word Quit, it does the exact opposite thing! And before you know it, you will find yourself actually having more! On the other hand, when your brain sees the word “Less”, it likes it. It’s doable, it’s friendlier, it’s gradual, it’s gentler. Ergo, it is a more effective prompt.
Step 1. Make a list.
Make it specific. Not “Save Money” because that, my friend, is neither here nor there. But “spend less” ~ less shoes and hand bags, less takeaways, less dining outs.
Step 2. Watch your thoughts. And shape them consciously.
Our mind, our thoughts are our worst enemies and best friends. Learn to use the power of your thoughts. It is your key. If you become the master of your thoughts and self-belief this year, your list of achievements at the end of 2014 will astound you!
Step 3. Act out your thoughts. Every Day.
So let’s do things, shall we? This is the year of getting past just thinking of what you want to be doing!
Step 4. Find a commitment buddy.
Someone who will hold you accountable, to keep you on your track towards a better YOU! My son used to chide me when I indulge in a bag of chips!
That’s it! And remember you can always revise your goals, visit it every 3 months or so to make sure you are on track. We’re not getting any younger, my friends!
You may want to read about my self-care adventure and how it all began:
The decision to lose weight
Commit and Succeed