We are winding up 2008 now and I am betting that you are at least beginning to think about the new year ahead. What does 2009 mean for you? You might even be toying with the idea of setting a New Years Resolution for yourself. Something that you have been wanting to strive for, but for some reason or another, have been putting off.
I too have been thinking about what 2009 means for me. I began by asking myself the following questions:
- When I look back over this past year, where do I see areas for improvement?
- Where can I make deliberate changes in order to help myself to grow?
- In what ways am I not living to my fullest potential?
- What can I do to help myself become that stronger, healthier person that I envision in my mind?
Many times we think of a New Years Resolution as a one time deal, where we begin with good intentions and think that we are going to do something to better ourselves, but we end up falling short because we either set our expectations too high or go after that goal with the wrong mindset. So we just give up, and go back to our old ways.
Take some time over the next few weeks to think about what types of actions you can take in the new year to begin living your best life. Don’t wait until December 31st to decide, start evaluating now.
I personally have started a list in my journal, outlining areas where I know I can improve. No one is perfect, we ALL have areas where we can make changes in order to step up and better ourselves.
During my contemplation I came up with a starter list of examples for you, which you can use to get the juices flowing and maybe even jot down a list of your own. This list is fairly general, so some ideas may apply to you, others may not. Pick and choose.
If this task seems too overwhelming, you might even start with baby steps. One thing at a time, or even just start cutting back or ramping up (depending on what we are talking about).
Feel free to begin adding your own ideas below in the comments section. I would love to hear what you are thinking.
- Begin writing in a journal daily, tracking thoughts, feelings, important occurrences, and profound realizations.
- Eliminating all non-whole foods from diet.
- Eliminating all soda from diet, this means diet soda too.
- Stop smoking. It is the hardest thing you will ever do, and possibly the best thing you will ever do (ah yes, the Law of Polarity in action).
- Limit alcohol to 1 glass of red wine every other day.
- Meditate regularly.
- Eat a vegetable or fruit with every meal.
- Appreciate at least 5 things each day. Verbalize gratitude if possible (i.e. say “thank you” and mean it).
- Exercise a minimum of 4 times per week.
- Enroll in one physically challenging event in the next 6 months (think team sport, 5K run, half-marathon, marathon, etc).
- Become accountable for actions…ALL actions.
- Which means…no more excuses.
- Start a list of steps to take toward living best life.
- Take one class or seminar to improve skills in the next 3 months.
- Read 2 books per month.
- Limit TV time to 3 hours per week.
- Find a mentor.
I hope I didn’t get you too worked up with this example list. You might be thinking:
3 hours of TV per week!?!?! She is nuts!!!
These are just ideas, my friends, you don’t have to do any or all of them beginning January 1st. Rather, evaluate which ones fit you and your circumstances. Which inspire you? Which would be a challenge for you? A challenge that you are willing to take because you know that in order to be the best you, this is an obstacle you must remove from your path.
I personally believe that 2009 is going to be my best year yet. When I look forward, I see a year of opportunity and advancement. The sky is the limit. You too have the power to make the same statement. You too can have a fantastic 2009, no matter what obstacles currently stand in your path. But it is up to you to knock them down!
So let’s get to it!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
All good. Here’s two from me!
Do start a journal, but rather than keeping it private, consider doing it on a blog (I like blogger.com because it’s the easiest). Invite your family and friends to read it to help motivate you to stay accountable.
Come up with your plan for when you mess up on something, and write it down. When you know what the consequences will be, then own up to them, you stop the guilt in it’s tracks and move on. Guilt just sucks, and does nothing to get you back on track.
Oh. I’m not eliminating soda. EVER.
Great ideas Roland. There is something very concrete about putting your vision or goals out there for all to see. I agree, when you openly commit to something you are much more likely to follow through than when you keep it to yourself.
I hear you on the soda. I have been trying to ween myself away from my morning cup of coffee, but I just love it so much.
Keep em coming!!
There are enough good things in coffee to keep you drinking your cup or two. And you get habituated to that small level of caffeine, so don’t sweat it. Mmm… coffee.
If I have to choose between coffee and Diet Pepsi, I’ll go with coffee. But, only because I could switch to Diet Dr. Pepper!