It is the start of a new year. Like everyone else, I like to set my new year’s resolution, take stock of my life, ditch some bad habits, and pick up a few more good behaviours and ways I would like to grow. It will be great to go back to working out regularly and stop being distracted by Twitter and CNN. (who can blame me, with all the political drama around the world)
Here is one thing I like to change this year. Stop making Resolutions. Create goals and intentions instead.
Here is why.
Resolutions often have us focused on what we’ve done wrong. We waste time trying to fix these wrongs. I put myself under enormous pressure to change habits I deem lousy or lazy. Then feel guilty or ashamed when I fall short of my high standards. I know many others do the same.
I don’t know if you can relate to this; I have an “all or nothing” personality. I must achieve 100% or nothing at all. This is a significant source of frustration because I waste time and energy. Nobody is perfect.
Time for Change
If there is one thing I am grateful for in the last few years, it is Mindfulness practice—the idea of self-love, self-care and self-acceptance. It is a powerful concept, especially if you tend to be harder on yourself than anybody else.
So, here is what I would like to propose that we do differently going forward.
- Set simple goals and intentions.
- Set milestones
- Create daily habits that help me move towards my goals and intentions.
I invite you to bring your mindful practice into your goals and intentions. In other words, no more autopilot when doing your daily task.
- Be fully present
- Give it your best shot.
- Practice lots of self-love, self-acceptance and self-care.
You will notice that you are more productive in an encouraging, supportive, and loving environment. You will go further than you have before.
Let’s use money management as an example; make an intention to start using a budget. Don’t beat yourself up for not hitting your budget at 100%. Instead, congratulate yourself for creating a budget. Understand that if you achieve 10% this month, it is an improvement from last month.
If you were hard on yourself in prior years and every year that preceded it, let’s shift gears in this new year.
No more comparing yourself to friends, family, neighbours or colleagues. No guilt or any type of shame. Just hug yourself often.
In addition, I have created a goal-setting worksheet that not only helps you get clear on your goals but helps you create daily habits as well.
Download your goal-setting worksheet here.
With this worksheet, I do not doubt that you will successfully win on your goals in 2021. Just promise me one thing,
Celebrate Your Wins
Celebrate no matter how small a win. CELEBRATE
I usually pat myself on the back or watch an hour of NetFlix as a reward for good behaviour.
Start over each month without getting caught up in self-judgement.
Let’s focus on what we can create, not what we think needs fixing.
Let’s enjoy the journey.
Happy New Year
I am on YouTube. I posted this video on goal setting. It helped me. I am posting it here for you to watch at the start of 2021 so that it can help you too.
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Joyce
