No, my calendar isn't off by two months!
Most New Year's resolutions fail because we set ourselves up for too much. Suddenly, after a holiday season that seemingly starts with trick-or-treating, morphs into Thanksgiving and practically explodes into Christmas, we decide to lose weight, read more, save money, quit smoking, exercise, get back in touch with our spirituality ... the list can be endless. We set ourselves up for failure by trying to do too much, sometimes all at once.
It's as though we still believe that a clean slate is magic in some way, and that January 1 makes a better clean slate than November 1.
But Saturday is November 1, and you have two more months to make awesome things happen for yourself in THIS year. If we want to lose weight, imagine the head start we'll give ourselves if we start now -- and are able to keep ourselves on a steady path through the holidays. If we want to save money, imagine how great it will feel to budget our holiday spending and stick to it. If we want to exercise, or sign up for a class, or quit smoking, the truth is we could be well on our way by New Year's Day, and have something truly worth celebrating.
What is your brand new New Year's Resolution, something you'll start working on now and celebrate your progress on Jan. 1, 2009?
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I'll get the ball rolling.
My new New Year's resolution is to start working on my weight. I probably have a total of 50 pounds to lose, and I can say goodbye to possibly 20 of that by January 1 if I eat right and exercise. (Instead of probably gaining 5 or 10 more throughout the holidays.)
OK! The challenge is on!
October 28, 2008 - 6:13pmThis Comment
Great post - yhis is making me think a little!
I think my goal is to settle down enough to finish writing the book that I set aside nearly two years ago. I have not even looked at it since I had my last child and would love to finish it. It's not like to to leave something unfinished - and it's nagging at me. It's not laziness or lack of interest. It's a combination of a slight case of writer's block combined with a dreadful lack of time.
But I think once I get into it again, it'll be easier than I think. I hope!
October 29, 2008 - 1:08pmI think the New Year's Resolution early initiative is a great idea although, I just read the post today so I will have to wait until the actually New Years to prepare.
My resolution this year is to quit smoking. I hate the habit, I hate the feeling that is has over me and I cannot wait to start the new year off right. I am going to report my progress on here once I start and monitor all the ups and downs of my fight for healthy living. I look forward to a fresh start.
November 1, 2008 - 9:57am