Call me a curmudgeon, but New Year’s has not been my favorite time of year. In fact, I dread it. According to an article in Forbes only 8% of us keep our New Year’s resolutions.
If you feel the same about New Year’s, let me first give you a bit of background and then I will share how to turn this around to look forward to possibilities and make them happen!
This year, I feel differently because I am looking back at all that I accomplished during this past year. There were some unexpected trials that came up and looking back I really don’t know how I had the energy or how I got things done. Throw me a curve ball and somehow it all gets done along with work and everyday tasks.
After reviewing the past year, now I can face what I imagine my new year will look like. Yes, it will have curve balls, but I already know I can work with them.
Here are some options on how to keep those promises to yourself:
-Start with small steps. As the Chinese proverb says: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." If you want to start exercising, let’s not start with a marathon. Do just a little each day of the new habit. Break into bite size pieces.
-Make a chart and check mark the days you’ve have accomplished your new habit. Reward yourself with a healthy snack or a mini happy dance!
-If you need more structure, join a local or online beginner’s class to keep your commitment.
-Pair a new habit with a current one. When a TV commercial comes on start sipping that water or start walking in place or stretching during the break. Waiting for the coffee or tea to be done, grab that article you pulled out of a magazine or online and start reading it. Listen to your favorite podcast while doing something you’ve procrastinated doing.
-Schedule that New Habit! A friend created a weekly schedule to treat herself to a bubble bath one evening, a yoga class another evening, and out to dinner once a week. Not your style? Then, make a list of self-care treats for the month and then check mid-month if you did some. If not, it’s time to do some before the end of the month.
-Habit creating or breaking? If you are looking to break a habit, just know that there are no straight lines to success. You are going to fail at times. The point is to keep going. Those plateaus don’t last forever. Have faith that if you stick to a program, you will have success.
-Stuck, not moving forward? Change your environment: de-clutter, re-arrange furniture, clean the house, sage yourself and your home, take a salt bath, breathe deeply, meditate, employ energy techniques, changed your hair style, indulge in an artsy break of coloring, painting, dancing, or writing.
-Lonely? If you don’t reach out to others, you will focus on how little or that no one is reaching out to you. The best way out of this is to help another person. It’s a win-win for you both.
-Gratitude for every little thing can be life transforming. If you are not into journaling every day, then make bullet points of daily gratitude.
-Daydream. What if…..then write it down. Leave notes around the house about one or two things that you are going to change. Sticky notes are okay on your bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, the front door, and in your car. Or, create a vision board.
-As I said earlier curve balls are thrown that may change your schedule or plan. Don’t dwell on it, just keep going. My favorite quote is President Calvin Coolidge’s about “persistence.” If you persist with determination, you will be successful.
I wish you much success and some set-backs in your journey. Yes, set-backs are just detours that make you stop and re-adjust your plan to fit your needs or make it better. Detours may be a doorway to a better path to make your dream, your resolution a reality.
If you want to learn more, get inspired, change some habits follow me on social media or Website at www.NextStepStrategiesLLC.com. Happy New Year! Let’s take the Next Step Together, Siobhan
