Hello, 2019!

Wow, I'm so glad to see 2019! In all honesty, 2017 was a really rough year. 2018 was a lot better, but still held its share of challenges (mostly left over from 2017). Now it's finally 2019, and things have settled into a different, but more manageable groove. The good thing about challenges is that they change you. When you endure challenging times, they often give you capabilities far beyond what you had before. I had to learn an awful lot to get through the past couple of years, and although I wouldn't have chosen some of those particular challenges, I can now be grateful for the new skills I developed as a result. Growth is uncomfortable, yes, but if you place any priority on self-improvement, you have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. It's definitely a process. Now, I look forward to taking the skills I've learned and moving forward!

This year, I 've got quite a few goals in mind. You see, New Year's Resolutions have never worked for me. By nature, they are built to fail. The first time you 'break' a resolution, it's easy to throw up your hands and say, "Well, now I've done it. I screwed up. Now I'll just go back to the usual." A dear friend told me about his own, alternative process for approaching a new year, and it really resonated with me, so I adopted it.  You're not asking for my advice, but this has been rolling around in my head lately, so I figure I'll throw it out there anyway. Instead of making resolutions, try this instead...

1. List ALL the stuff you accomplished last year. Pat yourself on the back, you deserve it. Got a new job? List that. Completed a project? That too. Ran your first 5K? or 1K? Woo hooo! Anything that you did during the last year that gave you a sense of triumph and accomplishment, put that down. It can be big or small, just write it! Chances are that you'll be surprised, pleased, and motivated when your list is done.

2. Make some GOALS for this year. Not resolutions. Want to make more money? Put down a specific number. Trying to lose weight? Do the same. Don't be vague, put down something specific that you can shoot for. Think about all the areas of your life, too, don't let it only be about money or fitness. Want to start a new career? That's a good one! Think about what you truly want to accomplish this year.

3. Here's the step folks often leave out, and it's the reason for their defeat: Make a plan of action for each goal. Think about what you're trying to do, figure out how you're going to do it, and write down those steps. Make it realistic and achievable, something you can really see yourself doing on a consistent basis. Create a roadmap for your upcoming year.

4. Get started! You've got the goal, you've got the plan, now all you have to do is just follow the steps you made for yourself! When you stumble, just get back up and keep going. If your plan doesn't work, adjust the plan. You haven't failed..you've corrected your course! And slow progress is still progress, so as long as you're working consistently towards your goals, you'll see movement along the way. Just keep going.

I hate for people to hit this time of year with big ambitions only to feel crushed and defeated by the end of the first month or two. It doesn't have to be that way! Try this method and see if it works for you. Make this year your best one ever! You can do it...I believe in you. So get to work!

As for me, I'm working on an urban fantasy story that I started a long time ago. I let it sit for a few years, worked on it during Nanowrimo back in 2016, and then let it sit again. When I hit a snag in my latest fantasy story I decided to take another look at it, and now I'm finally closing in on its ending. I'm always too optimistic when I say things like 'I'll have it done by the end of December!'. As you can see, it's January, and it's not finished yet...but it's getting there. I'm having fun with it, and I hope you will too. I'll keep you posted.

Have a great year, folks. Make it your best ever.

#goals #motivation #newyearsresolutions #happynewyear #youcandoit #goalsetting