Dude! It's been a hot second since I've seen this page. I wasn't even sure if I'd remember the password. (Actually, I still don't... Apparently, my Internet browsing history dates back to the dawn of time, and I never signed out last time I was here.)
My setback: Feeling too busy. So... Life. (Isn't that always the way?)
My comeback: The end of 2019!
Well, I guess let's just get it started. 2020 is coming.
Dun, dun, duuuunnnn....
New Year's Eve in Anchorage, AK
Have you thought about your resolutions? Do you even make resolutions?
Personally, I don't like the idea of resolutions. According to the U.S. News & World Report (as mentioned by Psychology Today last year), 80% of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by February. EIGHTY PERCENT!
WHHYYY??
As a Health & Wellness Coach, I've seen a few failed resolutions and have a few assumptions as to why. The biggest, in my opinion, is that people don't have a strong enough why to change their behaviors.
But also, I've seen people who just haven't set a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. People aren't setting S.M.A.R.T. goals!
There are plenty of other reasons resolutions don't make it through the first quarter, but those two added to giving up because you're not seeing immediate success are pretty solid. (By the way, if you get discouraged easily due to lack of immediate results, I highly recommend The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen. I'm reading it now, and I'm already seeing results as I start to apply The Slight Edge to my life in small doses! The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is another good one!)
I digress.
Resolutions. I don't make them. When a person makes a resolution, they are simply making a decision to do or to not do something. To me, it seems too ... What's the word? Ultimatum-y. I don't do well with ultimatums, especially when I give them to myself. I always find "reasons" (i.e., excuses) to justify not sticking to the commitment.
So instead, I set goals. Specifically, S.M.A.R.T. goals. And for the first time in my life, I actually created my Vision Board for 2020 and put it up on the wall! And printed this photo and taped it into my planner.
I wake up every morning, and part of my morning routine is to use the things plastered all over this board to visualize my goals as if I've already achieved them. (Thanks, Miracle Morning!) When I picture my life as if I've already achieved these goals, I'm establishing my strong why. I'm getting in touch with my why-power. How will my life be different if I achieve these goals? What is the worst thing imaginable if I don't achieve them? That's my first step to sticking to my goals.
Next, I think about the things I want to accomplish in that visualized life - my values. Freedom from debt has a strong presence in my vision. More than that (but easier for me to accomplish) is living a healthy lifestyle. Also on my list of values is making a difference in the careers of teachers and the lives of students. I create my goals based on these values.
So, since I'm announcing my comeback, here are my goals for 2020:
- I will win the "Most Improved Time" award at the Gold Nugget Triathlon in May.
- I will commit to eating and training for results to prepare for the 2020 Beachbody Classic on July 17.
- I will commit to a one-year shopping ban in order to put extra money towards paying off debts.
- Sidenote: I will not be debt-free by the end of 2020. However, I will be a lot closer than I am now! Hopefully, an extra $15,000 closer, but I will aim for $10k by December 31, 2020.
- I will study and practice at least 3 new research-based instructional strategies to share with my colleagues and model for use in their classrooms to improve reading achievement (1+ new strategy in the spring to account for the time spent learning my job, and 2+ strategies in the fall after having time to embrace this career change).
- I will complete the Business Activity Tracker daily for my health coaching business in order to track progress toward advancing my team to become Diamond.
I will track my progress and stay accountable in my blog. (I suppose that would be a #6, no?)
I've already added the blog update to my planner for next weekend. 😉
One last thing on setting and reaching your goals. I think it was Rachel Hollis who asked a question in one of her books (maybe it was Girl, Wash Your Face?) that really resonated with me, and it's how I determine the actions necessary to get me to my goals. Is what I am doing right now getting me closer to my goal? If the answer is no, I 5-Second Rule myself out of whatever I'm currently doing to do something productive.
I hope you take some time to think about your goals for the upcoming year/few months/month/week... Whatever you want to plan for. Just set a goal and make a plan! I'm excited to see where this year takes me.
Here's to the end of another year and the beginning of a new chapter!
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