If you have been beating yourself up about your lack of attendance at the gym this past year or the snacks that are hidden in your nightstand drawer, don’t fret.
I won’t be asking you to give me ten resolutions that you promise to start right after the ball drops.
You see it every January. Post after post about how to make lists of promises to yourself that you probably know deep down inside you will not keep. Or maybe you truly do have the best intentions but somehow, come February, you have forgotten all about them.
The problem with resolutions is that they often set us up for failure or make us feel that we are lacking in some way. Trying to come up with a list of things that need changing or creating some lofty goals can be daunting and exhausting.
Part of the reason our resolutions do not stick is that sometimes we are not fully ready to take the steps necessary to change. Or, perhaps they have no real plan in place to see the changes through.
Either way, it starts the new year out on a less than positive note.
Ten common (and often broken) New Year’s Resolution List:
- Start that diet and lose weight
- Exercise more
- Stop smoking
- Eat healthier
- Save money
- Work harder
- Read more
- Drink less
- Travel to new places
- Be less stressed
Don’t get me wrong. I am in favor of everything mentioned on the above list. I also believe that January is the perfect time of the year to set your sails in the right direction.
January is the clean slate month
We all get to start fresh and make refinements that will make our lives better and healthier. It is also a great opportunity to reflect on our dreams and inspirations.
This year, instead of trying to come up with a long list of everything that is currently wrong or missing in our lives, let us try something different.
I like to apply the KISS Method (Keep It Simple Sweetie)
- Gratitude is the attitude- Write down everything (big and small) that you are grateful for. When we have an attitude of gratitude, it changes the way we see things. Most likely you will see that you are enough and that you have what you need.
- Pick three-I call it my three for me list. Think about the three things that you would most like to give your attention to this year. Choose what is meaningful to you, not what you think you should be changing. If you have not been feeling your best lately and want to make a change in that area, then pick your health. Keeping your list short means that you can focus on what is important and is manageable.
3. Make a plan Stan-When we want to make a change, we need to know how were are going to do it or nothing happens. If writing a book is on your list of three, then decide how many minutes each day you can devote to it. Reserve that space in your calendar like any other appointment and even set a reminder. After a week or so of sticking to it, you will not only have the beginning of your book, but you will have created a habit. If weight loss and eating healthy is what you desire, then consider doing a 30 Day Challenge to help keep you on track and accountable.
I wish you a healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year!
