5 New Year’s Resolutions Worth Keeping

Winding Down & Shifting Gears

The holidays are always an epic display of twinkling lights, iPhone portrait moments, gift-giving action, and a merry-making smorgasbord of delicious eats and drink. The magic of Christmas brings back childhood nostalgia, and memories in-the-making with family and friends. After a month-long cycle of feasting, I’m ready for a bit of detox and self-improvement.

New Year’s resolution – it’s that time again! This is where a pen and notepad come in handy, and I prioritize smart resolutions. Scouring the Internet, the Huffington Post quotes Amanda Stemen, a therapist and coach, who defines SMART as “specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely” goals. I’ve prioritized resolutions to an achievable list of five, which may resonate with you.

1) Follow through on a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). Why start out easy? I want to focus on a major goal that can have life-changing implications and take me out of my comfort zone. You probably have a BHAG that you’ve been ruminating about, and 2019 may just be the year to see it through.

2) Focus on the most important things and filter out the noise. With all the distractions that exist in this world, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to focus on what’s most important. This is where I focus on the most important things and people in my life. Happy and successful people are able to do this well.

3) Cook more and keep a bowl of fresh fruit visible at all times. It’s so easy to eat out or get take away on any given day, but I appreciate the process of cooking and creating healthier meals that contribute to longevity. I’ll have my cheat days, but overall I am committed to cooking more and being more mindful about what I eat.

4) Declutter with more of a minimalist mindset. I’ve been inspired by Marie Kondo’s book on the magic of tidying, and she makes the concept of cleaning as a life-changing revelation. I love the concept of only keeping items that have repeat utility and spark joy. Less is definitely more.

5) More family time in an analog kind of way. This is where we put technology aside and focus on activities that are fun and enriching for the family. Rediscovering classic board games, reading books, baking, exploring, and getting craft-y together.

Cheers to you and have a happy new year!

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Wellness from the Mind Up

Success + Happiness

“Seeking excellence and experiencing satisfaction are not mutually exclusive. Being satisfied, then, doesn’t mean “settling.” It simply means accepting and taking pleasure in what is. It’s allowing yourself to feel contentment whether or not a thing is complete or “perfect.” – Brendon Burchard

Burchard’s bestselling book shares great advice when it comes to unlocking our potential. He does it with great storytelling and research-driven insights.

Honor what’s important to you

One of the areas we (sometimes) chiefly neglect is the power of positive thinking. We have to practice and embody in our daily lives. We get pulled in so many directions. Pressures from work, school, family, friends, and even acquaintances. Everyone wants a piece, but it goes back to what you value as important. What’s most important to you? What makes you happy?

I value family. I value close relationships. Friends, true friends, will be evident as they will contribute to your state of well being, not try to hold you back, or diminish your dreams. Those who care about you will respect that you have priorities and aspirations that are unique to you.  More importantly — they will give you room to breathe and grow.

Becoming more self-aware

In a social media driven world, there’s the image that is perceived vs. the reality you live. Yes, we want to project a positive filtered image, one that is revealed through rose-tinted glasses. The reality is life has its ups and downs. We make mistakes. Through failure, we learn to get back up and dust ourselves off, ready to face even greater challenges.

Reading motivational books and articles provide a medium for self-reflection and introspection. As a bestselling author and motivational coach, Burchard reinforces important themes in High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way. 

His themes are not new concepts, but ones that require a shift in mindset and habits.

Summarizing (some) key themes

Success and happiness are not mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand.

• Power of positive thinking. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking, as it can fortify you with courage and resilience.
• Ask yourself core questions about you and what would make you happy.  Live with intention and purpose. He highlights the importance of “seeking clarity.”
• Practice high performance habits. Focus on what matters, and not all the extraneous things that get in the way. Focus on the main thing.
• Be courageous. To live life to the fullest, work on becoming the person you aspire to be, and don’t let others dictate how to live (for you).
• Learn to be influential. Influence comes in many forms.
• Spend less time with Debbie Downers. Steer away from negativity, and invite more positive people and experiences into your life.
• Generate energy and be more productive. It’s not the hours spent slaving away. Wellness, balance, and sleep are critically important. Rather it’s the concept of generating energy and “increasing the outputs that matter.”