Honestly, our culture is so interesting with the New Year’s resolutions. I wish I had statistics on how many succeed. Not that I wish anything but success for everyone, but change can come at anytime, right? I say, set goals and forget the resolutions!
With how often I want to change my attitude, habits, and goals you would think every month was a new year! I truly believe reevaluating things is necessary for growth. Within the past year I have made quite a few adjustments in my life. What kind of opened this door up for me was the professional coaching program I went through as a Realtor. It streamlined my thinking to change some working habits of mine, which then had a chain reaction into my personal life.
A book I read during my coaching was a huge help to me, and if you are one of my friends you’ve heard my ranting on how much I love the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. This is a must read if you are working on yourself at all. Since I read this book last year my mornings are SO much happier! Before, I was waking up with my children in the morning, in a constant juggle to get myself ready for work, at the same time getting a 4, 6 and 9 year old ready for school. It felt like everyday there was a tantrum or a spill, or just plain grumpiness. And I’m not talking about my kids here. The issue was never my children, it was ME! This was a hard realization but learning to get up earlier and take care of myself first changed everything for me.
On my mission to change my habits and attitude I also read the book The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo with the girls from our book club last summer. Holy cow, this was an entirely different eye opening experience. Learning the “konmari method” was extremely freeing for my household. Letting go of things I didn’t “love”. Really paying attention to my emotions connected to each item in my home. This was one of the most motivating books I have ever read. I highly recommend this to all who are ready to de-clutter their life in every way.
Another mindful change I made was deciding to use more essential oils for my family, which has been such a great change for us. Not only did I get my husband off of coffee and on to water with Wild Orange EO in it, I also have cured myself of a year long outer ear infection that I refused to take another antibiotic for, but also stomach ache after stomach ache with my kids, and even one bout of the dreaded head lice that my pre-schooler brought home from school. Just trying to think consciously about the products I use on and around my family, caring about the environment and doing our part to eat right, stay healthy and in turn keeping our mind in a happier place has been a great movement for my family.
But by far, the best change I made within the past year was to simply write down all of my life goals. I wrote down where I wanted to be professionally, personally, and financially within one year’s time. I put them on my mirror and as my screensaver so I can always see them. I made them a part of my everyday. I haven’t completely achieved all of my goals, but I can say that I have stayed on track and never forgot the end result. It’s been extremely self-gratifying seeing myself succeed! I am, generally speaking, someone who needs constant reassuring input from friends or family to stay on a motivated kick, but this time was different. Having to face my decision to lay out goals and make changes, forced me to hold up my end of the deal. It was on my mind every time I cleaned by house, paid a bill, went to the grocery store or just plain woke up in the morning. I am a happier more motivated person than I was last year.
Write down your goals, saying them in your head just isn’t enough. Take time every morning to read them out loud. Remember why you made them in the first place, and next year when you succeed at your goals, write new ones 🙂
