Are you ready to change your life in just 30 minutes? If your answer is yes, grab a pen with a notebook, or download the SOFLY template where you can take an inventory and create New Year Resolutions that will actually work.
Why do New Year Resolutions fail?
You are all excited and enthusiastic about your goals. But, it takes about ten days to hit your first setback. You skip the class, sneak an extra brownie or a cigarette, yelling at your spouse or your kids. Somehow, you are right back where we’ve started.
Of course, you must have a plan of action with goals and dates. If you seek a real transformation and desire to be your best possible self then, consider a few things before making your resolutions:
- You are perfect right now.
- There is always room for improvement.
- Transformation is re-arranging what’s already inside.
- Change is the act of cultivating healthy and removing toxic habits.
- Quit the blame game.
- Quit excuses.
- Focus on action.
- Take the following action plan and create your dream year today!
So, perhaps, allow this year to be different and set the sail for success with six smart questions for your brand new New Year Resolutions. We tend to focus on results instead of actions. For example, when you wish to lose weight, you look at the scale (results) – instead of – focusing and planning on what/when, and how you eat (action).
6 Smart Questions for New Year Resolutions – and New You!
1) Where do You Stand Right now?
The best way to know where you are is to take an inventory.
- Let’s say you would like to lose weight. So, you need to know how much are you currently eating and how food makes you feel.
- What is your current weight, what are your measurements (fat, BMI, hips, thighs, waistline), and where would you need/like to be?
- You can take the same approach if you’d like to save money or time. Where are you spending your dollars and your attention?
You can use a SOFLY template. It is super easy to change! Of course, you can use a notepad and a pen.
Do it Now: What is your #1 habit that you would like to change (share in the comments below)?
2) What Is Working Right Now?
One of the benefits of the tracking practice (#1) is for you to see how much you’ve accomplished. In case you’re curious, my list this past year included the following things (among others):
- Yoga practice helped me to stay focused.
- Keeping a log of what I eat helped me change my unhealthy patterns.
- Intermittent Fasting helped me curb my food addiction.
- Whole food plant-based diet helped me to stay healthy and fit.
- Working out kept me strong and independent.
- Spending time outdoors, swimming, and listening to audiobooks made me sane.
- Cold therapy proved to me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.
- Building a new business helped me share my thoughts and express my creativity.
- Learning new things, not following the conventional wisdom, and being my own scientist saved me from the surgery.
Do it Now: What worked well for you? Write it down. Share in the comments below.
3) What Is Not Working?
The purpose of this exercise is not to punish yourself. But to observe what’s preventing you from being your best possible self.
- Taking in more than I can chew (including food and activities).
- Wasting time watching TV and on social media.
- Allowing fear to prevent me from living.
- Losing focus on what’s important.
- Binging.
- Worrying about the stupid job.
Do it Now: What is not working for you right now? Write it down. Share in the comments below.
4) What Makes Your Heart Tick?
Considering that you’ve done all the exercises above. You have a list of intentions, goals, things that work and don’t work. Now, it is time to make a list of the most important things or the Most Important Categories. Here is my list:
- My health and wellbeing.
- Contributing and helping each of my clients attain the best possible results in health and wellness.
- Contributing to the health and wellbeing of my family and friends.
- Listing to music in the bath.
- Working out.
- Jumping on the trampoline.
- Going to Spa.
- Learning about life, the universe, and all else.
- Writing, reading, creating SOFLY content.
- Making Money.
A list doesn’t have to be from higher to lower priority.
Do it Now: Make a list of your most important five things.
5) How Can You Achieve Your Goals?
Anything too vague is not a specific goal. For example, “I want to be happy,” or “I want to do more yoga” or “I want to be healthy” are all examples of vague goals.
We all want to be happier, healthier, and wealthier. This process requires each goal to be specific.
Remember: Your success is in your hands. So why would you want to be vague about it?
Here is an example of one of my goals:
Category: Writing; goal: create useful and meaningful blogging content.
- Goal#1: Create “How to” Videos | Action: record, edit, publish | (Due 3/30/2022)
- Goal#2: Read | Action: Schedule 45 minutes a day to sit down and read | Daily
- Goal#3: Write guest post | Action: contact publishing resources | (Due 4/20/2022)
- Why? I need to create and share.
Category: Health and witness; goal: be my fittest self.
- Goal#1: Work out daily | Action: bedtime 7:00 pm, wake up 4:00 am | Daily
- Goal#2: Hike 14-er | Potentially October 2022
- Why? Movement is life. I need to be fit to enjoy the outdoors, lift my groceries, and be independent.
Do it Now: What is your #1 habit that you would you like to change? Share in the comments below.
6) How can I create a Roadmap of Your Year?
Now it is time to make a monthly plan. Furthermore, you can break it down into weekly later. Not to mention, you can do an easy-peasy 3-moth plan that I would recommend if you are just beginning.
You can download my goal-setting worksheet or create your own.
You can use my “Road Map” as an example:
- January: Creating a business plan for SOFLY, content calendar, creative calendar, scheduling phot-shot, possible dates to see new clients, taxes; team evaluation.
- February: Should be working on videos, Fasting, cold therapy, dog therapy, snow-show, the possibility for cross-country trips, SEO.
- March: Start on the 5-day package, google!
- April: potentially go to NYC to teach a retreat.
- May: Yoga Spa and/or Yoga Hike.
This exercise should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Don’t Let Your Fears or Laziness Rule Your Life.
- Your mind is most likely is working hard on excuses by now. But I don’t have time. Besides, it is easier for you. STOP!
- Instead, take a breath, do a 10-minute yoga. Just write it! Consequently, you’ll thank yourself later. Also, you can create your own points. Write it out, send it to your friends, do whatever it takes to commit to your plan.
Never Underestimate What You Can Do in One Year If You Set Your Goals!
To clarify, it is not easier for me. Like many of you, I struggle with losing my focus, dark times, and food addictions. In fact, I was very unhealthy physically and mentally. Not to mention, I was pretty sure I would die by the age of 30. However, keeping track and adjusting changed my life accordingly. At 47 years young, I can tell that I am pretty happy about my life. I consider myself lucky. Also, I give myself some credit. If I hadn’t changed my patterns, the best-case scenario is that I would’ve been dead. But, the worst-case scenario is that I could’ve been very sick and unhappy. Instead, I quit smoking, drinking, lost over 40 pounds, and was able to keep it off. With that said, there is always room for improvement.
