Starting a New Year
Starting a New Year
Every December, many of us make resolutions for the coming year; some involve physical health. After punishing ourselves for consuming cookies and gaining weight while celebrating the holidays, we promise to lose the weight by setting unrealistic goals. By March, we are frustrated because our bodies look the same. Eventually, our commitment wanes and we are back to where we started. I know, I've done it more than once.
There is a better way to work toward accomplishing goals. Here are a few thoughts:
Celebrate and give thanks
Take time and reflect on 2021 and find something to celebrate. You may have learned how to use a new phone. Maybe you graduated from doing push-ups on your knees to doing them on your toes. Celebrate your win and be proud. It will remind you of your inner strength and move you to reach for that next goal. Heck, surviving this pandemic without losing our minds or life is worth celebrating. Despite the challenges and the lingering pandemic, I am grateful and proud of what I’ve accomplished in 2021.
Say it, write it, assess your progress
After a year of writing, I shared with a few friends my desire to start a weekly blog. I purchased a calendar and wrote in my anticipated launch date. Writing that date activated my thoughts around the next steps I needed to take to bring that goal to life. Thankfully, Lessons and Revelations launched on the date committed in my calendar. After three months of blogging, I assessed what worked and what I could improve. I decided to shift to posting an entry biweekly instead of weekly. I will assess again in six months to make sure I am where I want to be.
Start with One Small Step
A few years ago, I made a goal to read ten books in one year. I started with reading ten pages a day. At the end of the year, I exceeded my goal! I was so proud of myself and was encouraged to reach other goals. Mastering ten pages a day seemed like a small act to complete this task. In his book Atomic Habits, author James Clear explains how mastering small habits can have a huge impact over time. If you have a goal you keep circling but haven't accomplished, read this book. This book will shed light on how small steps can help us reach goals to take us to the next level.
I encourage you to set a goal for 2022. Whatever you have in mind, remember to celebrate your wins along the way. In the end, you will learn something about yourself and be an inspiration to others.
