I Resolve to…
Happy new year! With a new year always comes a new chance to start over on things we said we would do but never got around to. Or things we meant to do. Let’s start doing more and get moving on our goals today!
Where did resolutions come from?
The idea of resolutions have been around a long, long time! It is said that the idea of resolutions have deep religious roots. In fact the Babylonians and the Romans among others had traditions of making promises to their gods to repay debts or do things throughout the year. In other religions the period of beginning a new year is a time to reflect on what you have done wrong over the year and to seek forgiveness in the coming year. Sound familiar?
Where do I start?
Let’s not make this complicated. If resolutions or goals have too much to them…they probably won’t happen. Let’s walk through a few quick steps and get going!
First – take time to reflect on this past year.
What sticks out as “highs” and “lows” of the year? How did you feel during those times and what could have made them better or lasted longer?
Second – take note. Write out your goals.
When thinking about the lows, how could you avoid the situation again? (Ex: if it was a health issue, could you have eaten differently or exercised more to lessen your chance of the situation happening?)
If it’s a high, how can it happen again? Was it time with family or friends? Was it taking a trip?
Whatever it was or is, write it down. The goal is to try to avoid the “lows” and try to recreate and add to your list of “highs”. If there’s something that was not a high or low but that you want to do in the new year, write IT down. For example, I always want to read more in the new year.
Try to quantify your goals to help you achieve them. For example, I want to read 4 books a year or lose 10 pounds by July.
Third – share it. Tell someone. Accountability!
Accountability is vital to keeping goals. Tell someone about what you want to try to do more or less of in the new year. Have your friend or family member plan to check in on your to see how things are going!
Now, let’s begin!
So here you are. You have your goals. You have thought about what you want to do more or less of in the new year. You have your accountability partner and now, you’re off. Post your list where you can see it every day and remind yourself to make 2015 the best year yet!
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