Anyone else think New Year’s resolutions are a silly concept? Do
you really believe that at the stroke of midnight on December 31st you are
magically transformed into a better person, suddenly have the drive and
motivation you lacked ALLLLL last year, or 2015 surprisingly offers more than
24 hours in a day? Not likely. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we can't
change, that there's no hope for us, but why do we have to wait for the new
year? Hell, why do we wait for next month or next Monday to start something?
You're never going to be completely ready, it'll never be just the right time,
and you certainly will never know everything. So what are you waiting for? If
there's something you want bad enough, go for it. Now, not later! It may sound
like I'm lecturing but this is really just a reminder to self. I need pep talks
every now and again, don't you?
I'm also starting to question if goals are
worth setting regardless of the time of year. It's almost as if you're telling
yourself you're not good enough and that little successes don't matter because
you haven't reached that final objective yet. They're also inflexible. What if
along the way you decide it's not right for you or doesn't turn out exactly as
planned, something happens that is completely outside of your control? Are you
then a failure? That's what it feels like to me.
What I'm going to begin ASAP is to focus
on the method, not the end result I desire. For example: I'm not in the same
shape I was over the summer and my motivation for working out has yo-yoed.
Right now I've got roughly eight pounds to lose and I don't want to be winded
walking up five flights of stairs as I'm going to be climbing some major
mountains next year. Instead of saying by March I'd like to be at my goal
weight, I'm going to focus daily on being consistent with my eating habits and
exercise. My body will eventually get to its own ideal weight - whatever that
number may be (scales lie!!) - and I'll gain the strength and stamina needed
for backpacking. Then instead of reaching a goal and saying, "Well, I hit
my target guess I can stop now!" I've created a lifestyle habit for the
long-term. Make sense? Progress not perfection!
One key ingredient from New Year’s
traditions that I will absolutely continue to practice is reflection. In day to
day life it's hard to see everything you're accomplishing as we tend to focus
on petty details instead of the bigger picture. Looking back over the previous
year will reveal to you all that has actualized - positive or negative. From
there you can pat yourself on the back and maintain, kick yourself into hyper
drive using that established momentum, OR have some serious inner dialogue on
what needs improvement. Being aware is the first and most important step!
2014 was a year of rebirth for me. There
was a whole lot of self-discovery and fresh perspectives, while developing some
progressive ideologies along the way. I've always been independent and very
capable, but I never knew to what extent until now. After what I've been
through I realize I CAN'T FAIL. No matter what, I will persevere. That's a
great feeling when you're about to embark on some fairly risky, but potentially
extremely rewarding, endeavors...
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