Now that the new year is here, everyone is likely excited about setting their resolutions. It's funny, I was just chatting with someone about how the gyms become packed for the first two weeks, and then it's back to business as usual. It's like this cycle of big, ambitious goals that last a week or maybe two, and then poof, they vanish.
I couldn't help but notice this pattern while creating my own 'new year's resolutions' or goals for the upcoming year. As I worked on my budget and contemplated the areas of my life I wished to change or enhance, I found myself reflecting on the familiar routine of setting goals, following them for a while, and then watching them fade away, much like everyone else. Determined to break the cycle, I sought a different approach this time. The past year has already been a journey of growth, and I was eager to continue the momentum. My goals are specific, yet flexible and they present a challenge while remaining realistic. I've learned that if a goal is too far from attainable, I'm less likely to pursue it. So, this year, I decided to mix things up a bit. I structured my goals by establishing one overarching objective for each category in my life and then outlined the steps to achieve it. Take working out, for instance—it's a broad goal, but my aim is to feel confident in my body and incorporate movement into each day. While it might sound simple, I've learned from reflections on the past year that it's not always easy to complete an actual 'workout'. I've realized that movement doesn't necessarily mean a rigorous three-hour workout; it could be as simple as a long walk or participating in a workout class. To make it more concrete, I've set a specific goal, of attending a workout class twice a week. This specific target serves as a guide, ensuring I work towards my broader goal of feeling confident and finding joy in movement. Unlike a rigid goal of working out twice a week, which might not necessarily bring joy, my approach centers on how I want to feel. The flexibility allows for success, yet the specificity adds a layer of accountability that makes it harder to say no. I recently listened to a fantastic book (highly recommend!) called 'Year of Yes' by Shonda Rhimes—yes, the writer behind Grey's Anatomy. It was the perfect way to wrap up the year. Rhimes shares her journey of transitioning from a perpetual 'no-sayer' to embracing a 'Year of Yes,' a philosophy she carries into her ongoing life. One big takeaway for me, as I step into the new year, is the concept of what we say 'yes' to. Take the workout scenario, for example. You can say 'yes' to lounging on the couch, feeling uncomfortable, and missing out on the joys of life. Alternatively, you can say 'yes' to finding movement, improving yourself, and fueling your body to do what you love. The idea that saying 'yes' to a sedentary lifestyle is essentially deciding to sit until you die really stood out to me. Why choose that when you can say 'yes' to just 20 minutes of movement and nourishing your body to keep going? The book shares various empowering topics, and it has motivated me to start my own 'Year of Yes' journey. I even got the journal to document my experiences. I'll keep you posted on how that goes! As you step into this new year, 2024, I encourage you not just to contemplate your goals and the necessary actions but also to reflect on who you want to become and how. Consider setting realistic, achievable goals aligned with what genuinely brings you joy. If you've found yourself unable to achieve past New Year's resolutions, perhaps it's time to acknowledge that they might be too challenging. Make it easy for yourself this time--I give you permission. This could be the year where you set simple, attainable goals, providing either the motivation to persist or a reason to celebrate. Given the challenges we've all faced, you owe it to yourself to establish a broad goal that is specific enough to infuse some extra happiness into your life. Here are some of my other goals for 2024 as well and how I expanded them to be specific:
Feel free to share your goals in the comments! It's a great way to hold yourself accountable. At the end of 2024, you can revisit your comments and reflect on how far you've come.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorCassidy Dunn Categories
All
ArchIves
August 2022
|