The Trick to New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year friends!  Christmas flew by in a flash, but man did we have a wonderful holiday break!  I stepped away from work to enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  It was so good to rest and rejuvenate, to soak up every bit of holiday spirit.  I feel refreshed and inspired to start a new year of design adventures.  Taking time to reflect on the past year has filled me with gratitude.  Thank you all for the support, encouragement and kindness you’ve shown me.  Running Our Fifth House is a joy, and the blessings this site has brought my way are all because of you wonderfully amazing readers!

A new year brings a fresh start, but truth be told, every morning brings a new beginning.  Are you making resolutions?  Setting new goals for yourself, your business?  I was never good at keeping resolutions until about 6 years ago when I figured out the key to making and keeping them, at least the key for me anyway.

Choosing One

Yep.  Just one.  Rather than making a long list of resolutions, a laundry list of goals.  I choose just one thing I want to work on for the year.  Last year, being that we had just recently moved to a new place, I made “making new friends” my resolution.  And for someone like myself who tends to be an introvert that meant stepping outside of my comfort zone.  In year’s past I’ve worked on “conquering fears”, “healthy living”, “learning to use a DSLR camera” and “blogging”.  My yearly resolutions are often more like yearly themes.

All About a Game Plan

While choosing just one theme for the year simplifies things and helps me to focus all my energy, the real key I’ve found to keeping resolutions is in creating a game plan.  I don’t just write down a resolution like: This year I want to learn how to use a DSLR camera or In 2017 I will more effectively manage my time.  I brainstorm and write down actions I can take to help me reach my goal.

A few years ago when “healthy living” was my resolution my game plan was set up in stages.  For the first quarter of the year I worked on healthy eating by curating a bunch of healthy recipes to try, creating weekly meal plans and cutting out fast food.  Then in the second, third and fourth quarters of the year I worked on adding in a regular exercise routine and switching from chemically laden household cleaners to natural and toxin free.  Writing down an action plan breaks lofty resolutions down into manageable lifestyle changes that help you to reach your goals.  Being realistic while also challenging yourself yields positive results.

Progress over Perfection

Last but not least the other thing that has helped to set me up for success in terms of realizing my resolutions is not being paralyzed or intimidated by that January 1st deadline.  I prefer to think of the entire month of January as a jumping off point.  Using the whole month to set up a plan rather than forcing myself into thinking you have to start on day 1 means I will be less likely to ditch my goals.  Thankfully January’s 31 days allows for plenty of time to think hard about what I want to work on, create a plan of action and start working towards my goal.

The end game, that’s what the focus should be.  There is no time to beat yourself up.  It’s progress not perfection that moves you forward.  Success is trying and not giving up.  Success is dusting yourself off and pushing onward.  It’s getting to the end of the year and being proud that you are a better you than you were last year for the simple fact that you tried something and you didn’t quit.

2017 Resolution

My goal this year is to better manage and maximize my time.  So far my action plan consists of committing to an earlier bedtime, setting time limits for myself on perusing social media and watching less television.  I plan to spend more time this month thinking on what “maximizing my time” looks like.

Do you make resolutions?  Yearly goals?  What works for you when it comes to keeping your resolutions?  I guess you could say I’m a little old school, but I swear by a new planner.  Nothing inspires me more than a fresh, new agenda book!

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing my 2017 house goals and checking in on how I did in 2016!  I heart January, and the breath of fresh air she brings!