I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions. The lie with them is the inherent flaw in their process. I do believe that now is the perfect time to revisit your hopes and dreams to make them goals.
- Why now is the perfect time to set goals
- How to maximize your winter for a powerful year
- Why New Year’s Resolutions don’t work
- How to set goals that will work
How to Maximize Your Winter for A Powerful Year
The winter solstice is actually a perfect time to sit and reflect, just as winter itself is. The time between Christmas/ Hanukah and New Year’s Eve can lend itself to introspection, often it is a time of vacation, children on winter break and businesses working at a more mellow pace. It’s a time to go deep into your self and explore, to find an inner quiet that follows the wet/cold/dark of winter so that you can bloom, revived and refreshed, when spring arrives.
Here’s some insight on the value of winter, and how to use it to support you:
“The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close… like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds.
Our modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, comfort food and consumerism.
…and yet the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and the weather so bitter that people are left feeling that winter is hard, because for those of us without burning fires and big festive families, it can be lonely and isolating. Whereas in actual fact winter is kind, she points us in her quiet, soft way towards our inner self; towards this annual time of peace and reflection, embracing the darkness and forgiving, accepting and loving embracing goodbye the past year.
Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb-like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth.
.. and then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight.”
As posted by Gen Judayna
Why New Year's Resolutions Don't Work
Now is the time of year to reflect, and make plans to act. However, I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions because I don’t feel we should wait until the new year to decide to change our habits. When I realize that my life is missing something, or decide that that is something different I want in my life, I take immediate action. ANY time of the year. Far too often the New Year’s Resolution is a trending item we post on social media and start out full throttle and within 6 weeks have already lost steam. Most people have failed at their goal or have already dropped back to their old, original, comfortable routine. It becomes more about the New Year’s Resolution than about the actual goal.
Many people set unrealistic goals, or else don’t focus on the reason why they are doing it and just on the activity itself. This leads to people getting so focused on the goal that they overcommit when instead they should design a plan to create new habits and build up to lasting change. Rather than trying to cut sugar out of your diet all at once or go to the gym 4x week when you used to go none or 1x a week, or walk daily when the weather is nasty, make a long-term plan and break it down into manageable bites to reach that goal. That means building up to a no-sugar / low sugar diet, or building up to a 4-day a week workout routine – not expecting instant changes.
Below are some quick tips to help create the change you want, whether in your life or in your business:
How to Create a Change in Your Life (Not Just a New Year’s Resolution)
- If you want to make a change, set a goal and set a reason why.
· Why do you want this change in your life?
· What do you hope to experience because of this change? - Set a plan to implement your goal – start with the end goal (aim to be at a certain point in March) and then break it down into monthly, weekly and/or daily habits needed to get there, depending on the size of your goal.
· Create realistic goals and deadlines. Set yourself up for success!
· Break it down and start smaller: Plan to workout 4 days a week by March. Start now with 1 new day at the gym for 2-3 weeks, then add in another, etc - Get an accountability buddy
· They don’t always have to do it with you, but have someone whom you can report your wins to, or who will check in when you don’t report your successes. Someone who will cheer you on, or encourage you when you are down. You can have multiple people: your partner when you are at home, a co-worker while at work, a friend you can text any time, etc
Looking to make a major change this year? Or maybe finally create your dream life? Book a free initial consultation to give your goals sparkle and light.
