It’s the new year. Time for those new year resolutions to rear their ugly head and loom over you with obligation and guilt, right?
I’m sure your brilliant soul knows this all depends on how you see it. We all angle the lens for our perspective on life. This new year is simply a new day. It’s an opportunity for a reboot, restart, a clean slate. And the fact of the matter is, you get this opportunity every day, every moment.
One poor decision doesn’t define you…unless you allow it to. You are responsible for your future and this present moment, so how are you going to own it and make it the best you can? Have fun writing this beautiful story of your life!
I’ve put together five tips to help you move forward with motivation – to have this new year be your fresh start to really accomplish those resolutions or re-sets in your life. Not out of obligation, but your desire to truly live, not just pining away for one day.
- Breathe before you break. In our effort to accomplish everything on our to-do list, we sometimes forget the all important power of the breath. Simply stop and take ten deep breaths anytime you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Don’t get to a breaking point where you collapse from exhaustion or illness.  It’s amazing how this one simple step can create a calm throughout your day.
- Choose your one thing. Choose one thing that is your top priority and simply focus on that. Everything else can get in line. If you need some clarity on how to focus in and accomplish more, check out the book The One Thing by Gary Keller. It’s a quick read and equips you to get moving!
- Set your intention – speak your goals to reality. What is important to you, actively move toward it. Don’t be a victim of circumstance. You write your own story. No excuses.
- Bookend your day – what can you do at night to make the mornings go easier? Get your coffee and breakfast prepped. Lay out your clothes – and your children’s clothes – the night before. Communicate with your partner on what is going on the next day so you both are prepared and don’t start in reaction mode. Â
- Wake up 30 minutes earlier than necessary. An extra 30 minutes of wiggle room to simply ease into the day can make a huge impact on your control of the day. This can make a huge difference. I wake up between 5-5:30 most days, and I accomplish more in that first hour with my creative juices flowing in the stillness of the morning than I do at any other point. Those early hours aren’t just because there are no distractions, but my mind is fresh and my inspiration is full of potential.
Just for a minute, STOP. Close your eyes and breathe. Focus on your breath and allow for a moment of stillness. And before you move again, decide what one thing is the most important next step. Your future is determined not by the grand plan, but by the little step you choose to take next. What will yours be?
So glad you commented! Yes, being a victim of our lack of time is a big one…even though we all have the same hours, yadda yadda. It boils down to us having a choice in how we react – you are spot on. That is the only way to step out of the victim mentality – to simply CHOOSE otherwise. 🙂
#3 – YES! “Don’t be a victim of circumstance.”
This makes me think of the importance of not being a victim of our [often perceived] lack of time. We choose how we spend our lives. We choose how our stories are written. Sure, there are things that happen that are out of our control. But we CAN control how we react to them. We don’t have to be a victim. We can say no. We can make the necessary changes to allow for what is most important in our lives.
Thanks for sharing these tips, Ashley! I appreciate you!