Now that this year is coming to an end and a new one is about to begin, many of us start thinking about changes we need to make. The problem with resolutions is that they really are end goals without an action plan: I want to lose weight; I want to stop smoking; I want to get fit. And how do you plan on achieving these goals? Instead of making resolutions, I make a “to do” list that will aide me in achieving a desired result. For instance, if I were a smoker (which I’m not) instead of saying “I want to stop smoking” I would set the goal of waiting 5 minutes to have a smoke each time I wanted one. It is critical that the list you make is specific, actionable, and measurable. It’s the best way to hold yourself accountable. Each time I complete an item on my list I love the feeling of crossing it out with a thick red marker. And remember, the order in which you complete each task is unimportant — what’s important is that you do everything on your list.
follow along with me...
Here are 12 items on my list for 2016:
- Substitute almond milk for the cream in my coffee
- Add 5 minutes to every cardio workout.
- Shut my phone off 1/2 hour before I go to bed.
- Contact a person from my past who I really would love to reconnect with.
- Find a good internist as mine has retired and I am diligent about my health.
- Stop telling my kids what to do. (Never going to happen)
- Apply skincare products after cleaning my face every night.
- Moisturize my body each time I take a shower.
- Drink 1 extra glass of water every day.
- When I get up, think first about something I’m grateful or happy about instead of something that upsets me or makes me angry.
- Plan a girlfriends getaway. (For real)
- Read 3 books from start to finish.
