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So, tomorrow is a new year. 2015. A fresh start. Full of resolutions. A new story to write. But, I want to remind you that 2015 is a full year and change takes time. We all have the greatest ambitions and a new contagious energy but as with most every year past that will fizzle in a few weeks. They should be called January resolutions. Often we bite off way more than we can chew. It’s hard to make major changes in one night (especially coupled with champagne and sweets). So, I want to share with you my thoughts on how to achieve those goals that you are setting for the new year.
It starts with the word YEAR. That’s 12 months my friends. You can do so much in 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days.
Then add the word STORY. This is a blank start to the year and a story to write. But how have you always been tought to write? This goes back to 3rd grade. Create an outline.
The PLAN
Start writing down all of your resolutions, goals, plans for 2015. There are 12 months. Create 12 main resolutions. And if you only have 8 that is ok! Repeating them can do no harm. Or skip a month every season. Or take two months per goal. It’s your year baby! Organize these kind of based on the time of year. Or by what is an immediate priority. I did Adventure in the summer. My favorite time of year to get out and explore! I did digital organization in September. With some free time once the kids are back in school. Set yourself up to succeed.
Here are mine.
January – The month of me – My mind. My body. My soul.
February – Love and marriage. – Deepen the relationship. More laughing.
March – Declutter / Organize. Top to bottom.
April – It starts at home. More cooking. Having kids help. Family roles.
May – Friendships. Appreciate them. Plan a couple visits. Schedule coffee.
June – Adventure. Hiking. Festivals. Camping. New parks.
July – Old wounds. Lost ties. Reach out. Reconnect. Life is short.
August – Little people. Spend time with each kid before school. 1 on s with each parent.
September – Digital catchup. Organize photos/documents. Backup.
October – Giving. Give some time. Volunteer. Send a couple surprise gifts.
November – The lost art. Write letters. Send cards and kid’s pictures.
December – Reflection. Enjoy. Whatever happened this year, Life is still good.
So, now what?
You are not done yet. Get a planner. My sister gave me the cute one below for Christmas. Then do this.
(1) On the monthly pages write your resolution really big at the top.
(2) Pick a day of the week that you have time. I pick Sunday. Write a smaller goal or idea on each of those. All based on your main goal!
(3) Go through the weekly pages. Write down some encouraging words in several random spots. “You are awesome.” “Keep going.” “The journey is the destination.” or maybe some song lyrics. Or some other motivations like gasp “screw that checkout lady who asked if you were pregnant when you are just fluffy”. Whatever you want. And wherever you want.
(4) You are done. And how you have your 2015 Life Planner. Now, this isn’t a planner, planner. No soccer practices. No eye appointments. It’s all about you.
Pat yourself on the back.
Get ‘er done
Tomorrow is January One. Open to the first weekly page. Write in that month’s resolution and the weekly goal at the top of the page. Each day you can check in. With your feelings. Accomplishments. What you weigh. A meal you made. Curses and scribbles. Whatever you want.
Do it every day. Or whenever you can. What have you created? Well, you might have seen one of these before. It’s a shhh… diary.
Then, when you get to the next week – REPEAT with the next sub goal. And continue all year.
Build upon each other. What you accomplished in January carry on until February. Let’s see how many of your goals that you can accomplish and maintain by this time next year.
You have 365 days.
Ready. Set. Go.
