Keep Those New Year's Resolutions by Trying My No Fail Method!
So here it is 2019! I have always been a resolution maker. I am a reader of self help books. I read everything from books on finances to books on how to overcome my personality quirks! Some have stuck and some have not. Over the last few years, I have come up with a way to keep those things that I want to change about myself or my circumstances right before my eyes and to stay on track. It is simple and takes little time but has come to change my entire life! This will be my 5th year of using this method and I must say that I am still pleased with it.
Now don't get me wrong, there are a few goals that when the next year rolls around get copied right on to the next year's list of goals. I usually have quite an extensive list so not obtaining one or two doesn't throw me off course.
The technique that I use is similar to journaling. I go shopping and pick out a blank notebook that is pleasing to my eyes and that is just large enough to get me through the year. It can't be too large because it needs to be small enough to go into your purse, briefcase or backpack. I refer to my book as my exterior brain. I refer to it several times a day and even use it for daily to do lists.
After you have purchased your little book, begin to make chapters in it regarding your goals in regard to finances, health, home rehab or repair, commitments to God, or whatever your resolutions are. Leave several pages in between each one for adding to your thoughts and ideas as you begin to tackle each one throughout the year.
Some examples of what I do are:
Finances. I write out my goals and include scripture for supporting what my goals are. I write out my debts and how much I want to pay off on each one. I list out how much I want to put into savings and how much I want to give away. This is an area requires you to be reasonable so as not to sabotage your own goals.
Health. My health goals include lists of things that are important like keeping track of the water that I drink each day and daily exercise routines that will benefit my body. I include the titles of a few books that I want to read on the subject so I can easily remember to order each one as the year goes on.
God and charitable goals. I list a few individuals that need blessings throughout the year and a few ideas that I have to become the blessing that they need. This list will grow as the year goes on and some may drop off as other names are added in. It is good to have a charitable organization that you can donate some time to. Although it will help those who are less fortunate, it will be you that is the most transformed after the year is over! If you have never tried this, don't deny yourself the blessing! You will not be that same person that you were before you started doing this!
House rehab and repairs. Who doesn't have an around the house to-do list? Its endless and can seem so overwhelming at times. Write down your top 10 most important goals for this. Make them achievable. Start with the largest and if it is too large, break it down into baby steps, making each step count as one of your 10 goals. For example, repainting a room would count as only 1 goal, however, landscaping your yard would need to be broken down into sections. Include some pictures, color swatches, book titles or whatever will keep you interested and excited about your projects.
I have a section just for my family members and ways that I want to bless them or help them over the year as well as a section on things that I shy away from such as writing blog posts or public speaking. I have found that the best way to overcome is to charge straight into what I don't want to do and each time it becomes easier and easier and is less likely to be on my list of "things that I hate to do!"
Last but not least is my de-clutter list. I include everything from time management and getting things that are not important and that seem to steal away valuable time to labels that clutter up my house, clothes that need to be donated, and food that I shouldn't eat and needs to be removed from my pantry.
What I have listed is just a few of the categories that I use in my book. It is important to make your book personalized and targeted just for your needs. As I stated, I have used this approach for several years now and have found it to be the most effective way to make New Year's resolutions. I hope that this article has helped you in your quest to become a "new you" in 2019!
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As always, we want to hear from you about your experiences and ideas. Please use our comment section and share, share, share!
Looking forward to 2019!
Julie Atkins
Milkweed Farms