Every year you resolve to lose weight, or to make more money, or to be more organized, and I commend you for your efforts, but how often do you stick to those lofty resolutions only to feel defeated by March? It’s time to ditch the idea of a resolutions and start making goals instead.
Start with a list of the things you are thankful for. It’s much easier to set goals when you take a moment of pause to see how far you’ve come. Resolutions begin to take shape as a way to discipline you; as to say ‘You failed at this all year, now, the pressure is on!’. No one can be expected to succeed under that kind of scrutiny. So, instead, make a list. Be thankful for the copious amount of air you’ve been lucky enough to breathe. Be thankful for the bountiful food you could eat at any given time. You’re dry and warm when you need to be, and have a selection of clothing to choose from at any time. Of course, you can expand from that, but that’s a god start.
Once you’ve created your list of things to be thankful for, you’ll find yourself more optimistic about the future. Set yourself small goals, ones you think you can actually achieve. Make them specific to give you direction. Instead of saying “I resolve to lose weight” You can say “My goal is to lose 3 pounds by February.” Or, further, you can say “I will begin this week by making reducing the sugar in my coffee from 2 spoons to 1 for the month of January. In February, I will add to that. I will stop eating after 8pm. In March, I will add 10 minute walks every day.”
These are of course, examples. Do what feels right to you. Setting small goals that are specific and weighted by time will set you on a course of success; and if you don’t succeed, you’ll be less likely to feel bad about yourself.
Part of your goal setting should include your mental and emotional health as well. It’s time to stop thinking massage or aromatherapy is just for indulgences. Investing in your physical health can only be successful if you tie in the other just as important parts of your overall being.
Massage will tackle the physical pains in your body to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Just as you would take your car in for an oil change or an alignment, you have to make the same kind of investment in your body. Massage also calms your stress, which is a bonus to keeping your body in good working order. Make it a goal to have a massage every ‘x’ amount of weeks, and make those appointments for the whole year. It’s a small investment in your body that will pay in high dividends.
2017 is just around the corner, and is waiting with eager anticipation for you to keep being you. Set small goals and you’ll find that by March, instead of feeling defeated by your resolutions, you will feel like you’ve only just begun with your goals.
