You Matter
You Matter
New Year’s Resolu-Dos
Suzie Bichovsky-Thomas • Dec 29, 2013
In two days, it will be time to make resolutions. Or, to pretend to have made resolutions. Maybe we’ll dress them up and call them goals. Ask yourself this: Are you setting yourself up to succeed or fail?
My resolution one year was to go to the gym three times a week. The second I didn’t, I failed. Or, I’d play games with myself. “Next week is busy. If I go five times this week, I can go once next week and it will be OK.” The year that I promised myself to make healthier choices and worked with a nutritionist for support, I was more successful. I didn’t tie the success to a calendar or a pass/fail system.
I find myself to be more accountable to actions tied to state of mind than measurable by something tangible. If you are interested in a similar path, here are some tips.
1. Check out Daily Alchemy’s post on 4 Steps to Creating a Magical New Year
. I appreciate the section on “Following Your Bliss.” You do not need to go to a place of worship for the ceremony referenced in the blog. (And…don’t set yourself on fire.)
2. Need more positive people in your life? Find and follow them on social media. Enjoy a daily dose of joy while stalking a celebrity
or arguing over which is better- dogs or cats. (Um…both are awesome. Debate over. Civility reigns supreme.) Read The Happiness Project
, visit its website
, or follow author Gretchen Rubin on Twitter or Facebook. 100 Ways to Happiness
by Dr. Timothy Sharp
is another motivating read.
3. Consider the concept of PostSecret
by Frank Warren. I’ve read the books for years and now follow the community online
. There is something to be said for sharing or letting go of an aspect of your past when you are ready for it. (Or, seeing a licensed professional if you are not and want to be.)
4. I’m often surprised by what I find at the end of list making. I like the following prompt from List Your Self
by Segalove and Velick: “List those risks you’d like to take but are afraid to.” (I’m a little scared of: “List what you hear when you get very quiet.” I’m saving that for when I’m big!)
5. Whatever your action, consider building in support. Bring in a professional when the task requires it and if finances allow. Or, have an accountability pal that you consult with every 4-6 weeks. Celebrate your successes as you have them. Adjust your path if you need to. Don’t give up!
Make sure you have a Resolu-Do state of mind and Resolu-Don’t have your failure stick ready to measure before you take your first step.
What’s your Resolu-do?
There’s something about being outside surrounded or embraced by nature.
What’s a nature element that really speaks to you?
It could be the moment you notice the dark green of a treetop touching the vibrant blue of the sky.
I’m awful at business growth, meaning- I don’t post when algorithms say I should. I don’t “buy” likes or followers or traffic to my site. I post all things related to burnout prevention on Fridays which used to be one of the worst days to do so.
I got a phone call on Wednesday night with a funeral date for a family member that passed in March.
During that conversation, we once again explored the path of origin. The surviving spouse got it from work (the area was an epicenter of contagion before we all knew what’s going on). The workplace was a school. It spread like wildfire (again, before anyone knew what it was).
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